Things to do in Beijing

Activities, attractions and tours

Forbidden City showing a fountain
Forbidden City showing a square or plaza and heritage architecture
Beijing showing a monument and heritage elements as well as a large group of people
Beijing showing modern architecture
Dongcheng - Wangfujing showing heritage elements and a statue or sculpture
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Top places to visit

1. Wangfujing Street

There have been commercial premises on Wangfujing Street since the middle of the Ming Dynasty hundreds of years ago, and a wander down this pedestrianised boulevard today will take you past most of Beijing's best-known and most-loved outlets.
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Wangfujing Street

2. Forbidden City

Beijing’s Forbidden City stretches over a massive 720,000 square metres, and was home to the emperors of China for almost five centuries. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is listed by the same organisation as the largest collection of ancient wooden structures in the world.
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Forbidden City featuring a lake or waterhole, a river or creek and heritage architecture

3. Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square is one of the most iconic – and biggest – squares in the world. Palatial gates, ancient architecture and fascinating history draw hundreds of thousands of visitors every year from China and beyond. This gigantic plaza is at the heart of Beijing in more ways than one and is enclosed by many of the city’s most important attractions.
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Tiananmen Square

4. Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China Juyongguan is the closest part of these ancient fortifications to Beijing. This part, built between 770 B.C. and 221 B.C., is one of the principle mountain passes that the vast wall goes through and is called the Juyongguan Pass. Tour the historic architecture and take in the stunning vistas over the Jundu and Taihang mountains and valley.
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Great Wall of China which includes night scenes, a monument and heritage elements

5. Temple of Heaven

In the south-eastern Dongcheng District of Beijing, nestled behind high walls, sits a complex of religious buildings known as the Temple of Heaven. Originally built as a ceremonial centre for dynastic emperors during the 1400s, this huge site has been open to the public since 1918 and is now a favourite tourist attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Temple of Heaven which includes a city, a temple or place of worship and religious elements

6. Summer Palace

The Summer Palace on the shore of Kunming Lake was built as a retreat in the 1750s by China’s last great ruling dynasty, the Qing. It later became their principal residence and, although it suffered damage during the Second Opium War and the Boxer Rebellion, it has gone on to become one of Beijing’s most-loved attractions.
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Summer Palace featuring heritage elements

What to do in Beijing

Popular places to visit

Wangfujing Street featuring street scenes and a city

Wangfujing Street

4/5(46 reviews)

Shop ‘til you drop on one of Beijing’s best-loved shopping strips, where you’ll find everything from designer labels to cheap souvenirs.

Wangfujing Street
Forbidden City featuring a lake or waterhole, a river or creek and heritage architecture

Forbidden City

4.5/5(68 reviews)

This magnificent imperial palace is one of the most popular tourist sites in all of China, and is filled with many centuries of culture and art.

Forbidden City
Close-up of a stone wall, Great Wall Of China, China

Great Wall of China

4.5/5(2 reviews)

After visiting Great Wall of China, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Huairou. Amble around the area's parks or visit its monuments.

Great Wall of China
Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square

4/5(70 reviews)

From national celebrations to mass protests, Beijing’s main square has been the scene of many of China’s most important gatherings and is a must-see for any visitor.

Tiananmen Square
Great Wall of China which includes night scenes, a monument and heritage elements

Great Wall of China

5/5(2 reviews)

See terracotta warriors, ancient temples and Ming Dynasty architecture at the Juyongguan section of one of the most spectacular tourist attractions in the world.

Great Wall of China
Sanlitun landmark office building - SOHO office; Shutterstock ID 472398427; PO: Hcom Destination Content neighborhoods; Client: Hotels.com; Other: Hcom brand budge

Sanlitun Road

4/5(7 reviews)

During your trip to Beijing, you can do some window-shopping at Sanlitun Road. While in this walkable area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Sanlitun Road
Temple of Heaven which includes a city, a temple or place of worship and religious elements

Temple of Heaven

4.5/5(52 reviews)

Behind the high walls of this peaceful complex lie some of the most impressive temples in Beijing, where human sacrifices were once held to appease ancient gods.

Temple of Heaven
Summer Palace featuring heritage elements

Summer Palace

4.5/5(53 reviews)

This majestic former summer residence of the Qing Dynasty is now a world heritage site and favourite Beijing attraction.

Summer Palace
Tsinghua university main courtyard

Tsinghua University

5/5(1 review)

Explore the campus of Tsinghua University during your trip to Beijing. Visit the temples and shops in this culturally rich area.

Tsinghua University

Areas of Beijing

Temple of Heaven featuring heritage architecture, religious elements and a temple or place of worship

Downtown Beijing

Historical sites, museums and art galleries highlight some notable features of Downtown Beijing. Make a stop by Wangfujing Street or Peninsula Beijing Shopping Arcade while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Jinyu Hutong Station or Dengshikou Station to get around town.

Downtown Beijing
Famous Qianmen pedestrian street south from Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China

Wangfujing Shopping Area

Historical sites, art galleries and museums highlight some notable features of Wangfujing Shopping Area. Make a stop by Wangfujing Street or Peninsula Beijing Shopping Arcade while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Dengshikou Station or Dongsi Station to get around town.

Wangfujing Shopping Area
Dongcheng - Wangfujing

Dongcheng

4.5/5(111 area reviews)

Explore the eclectic commercial street and its enormous mall amid the fascinating sights in the heart of Beijing’s historic center.

Dongcheng
CCTV Headquarters building is situated in the city centre of Beijing. One of the most amazing architectural creations I've ever seen in my life. It's a massive 200m something high structure. As I heard from the locals, visitors are not allowed inside.

Chaoyang

Museums, art galleries and cocktail bars highlight some notable features of Chaoyang. Make a stop by Alien's Street Trade Market or RiTan ShangJie while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Dongdaqiao Station or Chaoyangmen Station to get around town.

Chaoyang
Set in Beijing and taken on a clear April night

Dongdan

Visitors to Dongdan love its popular shops, and you can check out Wangfujing Street and Wangfujing Paleolithic Museum. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Dengshikou Station.

Dongdan
Summer Palace which includes heritage elements and a river or creek

Haidian

3.5/5(8 area reviews)

Haidian is well liked for its museums and monuments. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Summer Palace and Fragrant Hills Park are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Xibeiwang Station or Malianwa Station to get around.

Haidian
Jinshanling Great Wall

Miyun

Beijing International Flower Port, China. Beijing International Flower Port Fantasy Flower Lake

Shunyi

Great Wall in the morning with sunrise and colorful sky in Beijing, China., Shutterstock ID 144643175, Purchase Order: -

Huairou

One of the beautiful pagodas at Yunju temple, just outside of Beijing.

Fangshan

Frequently asked questions

Is Beijing worth visiting?
Offering a blend of culture and history, there are plenty of things to do in Beijing. While you're here, head to Wangfujing Street, a leading attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Beijing?
Start your sightseeing with a visit to Wangfujing Street and Forbidden City. Then, tour other areas of Beijing for local restaurants and a little retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Beijing?
The top tourist attraction in Beijing is Wangfujing Street, so don't forget to add it to your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Beijing?
Three days will give you time to check out many city sights, including Wangfujing Street, Forbidden City and The Palace Museum. The average stay in Beijing is two days. If you have the time to extend your escape, Daxing isn't far away.
Is Beijing a walkable city?
With vibrant neighbourhoods and leading attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Beijing is a good destination to experience on foot. Enjoy wandering between Wangfujing Street and Forbidden City. Then take a stroll around Dongcheng, located 3 kilometres from the centre, and Wangfujing Shopping Area, which is roughly 3 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Beijing with kids?
Whether you're holidaying with young explorers or adventure-seeking teens, an itinerary filled with cool activities makes a big difference. Browse our recommendations for what to do in Beijing with kids.

What to do in Beijing for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food connoisseur or thrill seeker, there's no shortage of things to do in Beijing for adults including Sanlitun Road and Qianmen Street.
Are there free things to do in Beijing?
One of the simplest ways to discover free things to do in Beijing is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on interesting neighbourhoods, parks and other top attractions you can enjoy without opening your wallet. Wangfujing Street is one spot that doesn't have an admission fee.