Beijing in 5 Days: everything you need to know

Whether you are an avid traveller or a novice, a visit to the city of Beijing is a destination not to be missed. This 5-day itinerary with map brings together the best things to do in Beijing in the heart of the Chinese capital. From the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace, to its most modern districts and hutongs.

The first day of the tour starts in the south of Beijing with a 10-kilometre route, which you can see on this map. This day is dedicated to the heart of the capital. Bring your comfortable clothes and shoes and let's get started!

Longtan Gardens

Longtan Park is the perfect place to start your day in harmony with a natural landscape of dragon cypress trees and snapdragon flowers. Walk the trails, take a boat ride or, if you're travelling with the kids, you can even head to the children's activity centre.

This park, built in 1952, revolves around a large meandering lake and is known as Dragon Lake. In the end, the sights such as the Stone Forest, Wanliu Hall, Dragon Gate, Liantanghua and Central Islands leave a picture-worthy impression.

And if you haven't had breakfast at your hotel, I invite you to take a stroll through one of the restaurants or tea houses in these gardens.

Temple of Heaven

As you enter the park, you will be struck by the aura of peace that envelops the vast grounds. The Temple of Heaven was where emperors held rituals to ask for good harvests and blessings. Among its rooms, the following stand out:

• The Palace of Fasting
• The Hall of Harvest Prayer
• Baihua Pavilion
• The Beijing Natural History Museum.

No wonder the Temple of Heaven is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of the best temples in Beijing and therefore a must-see.

Lunch

In the late afternoon, you can have lunch on your way to Tiananmen Square. I recommend trying the food at Bianyifang Roast Duck, as for just over 5€ you can enjoy traditional food such as lacquered duck or gong bao chicken.

When you're done, continue your itinerary through the Gate of Heavenly Peace, where you'll begin to explore Tiananmen Square. Or, if you prefer, you can also opt to book a Tiananmen tour to be accompanied by a guide.

Tiananmen Square

There are many things to do in Tiananmen Square such as seeing the imposing portrait of Mao Zedong that hangs above the entrance to the square. This historic site has played an important role in Chinese history and is a symbolic representation of political power from the decline of the Qing dynasty to the present day.

It is vast and offers many photo opportunities at monuments such as the Great Hall of the People, the Mao Zedong Mausoleum and the National Museum of China, which is the second most visited museum in the world.

If you have chosen to book the Tiananmen Square tour it is important to know that it includes a tour of the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.

Forbidden City

The best way to immerse yourself in Beijing' s cultural heritage is to visit the Forbidden City, which housed the Chinese Imperial Palace and was the political centre of government for more than 600 years, where 24 emperors passed through.

This city boasts imposing wooden walls, ancient paintings, courtyards, bridges, calligraphic works, jade utensils? All around the Coal Hill of the Jingshan Gardens, where this city surrenders to the feet of visitors.

You may be interested to know what are the best tours of the Forbidden City or hire a guide to help you make the most of what is one of the 10 most visited and photographed monuments in the world.

Dinner

At the end of your visit try a nice hot pot or Huo Guo, a kind of Chinese fondue. It is ideal for sharing with friends or family and usually includes a variety of vegetables, seafood, mushrooms, meat, even wontons and dumplings.

Around the Lost City you'll find great restaurants such as Old Beijing Noodle. Don't worry about the proper way to order, as the menus often have pictures and English translations.

This day promises to be hectic as you join the local good vibes among its markets and shows with this 4-stop itinerary of highlights just 7 kilometres long that you can follow with this map.

The Imperial Palace

Start the day at the Imperial Palace, a huge temple complex that shares the same floor as the Forbidden City, but with far fewer people, so you can explore at your leisure. If you've already seen it when booking the Great Wall of China, Forbidden City and Tiananmen tour, you can skip it.

Here you'll find yourself in the place where the emperors kept their ancestral tablets and walk through the five main halls:

• The Hall of Supreme Harmony
• The Zhonghe Hall
• Baohe Hall, where national ceremonies are held.
• The Wenhua Hall
• The Wuying Hall

Zhengyangmen

The Zhengyangmen Gate is one of the famous "nine gates of the capital" in ancient Beijing and was founded in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty. Also known as the Qianmen, it houses:

• Zhengyangmen Tower
• The Arrow Tower
• The Beijing Folk Exhibition Hall.

Because it is located directly opposite the Forbidden City, it is also known as the "Main Gate" and because of its structure, history and shape it is a popular tourist attraction.

Visit the Silk Market

The Pearl Market, Silk Market or 'simply' Hongqiao, is Beijing' s most popular market and its dynamics are as entertaining as they are irresistible. Although originally focused on selling pearls, today you can find just about anything.

There's plenty to do in Beijing's Silk Market, as not only can you haggle with the vendors - don't miss out, it's a tradition - but you can also have lunch with the locals for €5.

The top floors are home to jewellers and pearl specialists, while the ground floor is home to excellent seafood restaurants. If you don't feel like eating here, you can always book a tuk tuk food tour for a more touristy experience.

Visit the Red Theatre

Kung Fu fights are a Chinese tradition, and being in the capital you can't miss the Red Theatre, where the best Kung Fu shows in Beijing take place.

Focusing on the traditions of the Shaolin Monastery, 'The Legend of Kung Fu' is presented, where martial arts specialists showcase their skills in an experience that combines storytelling, live music and special effects.

On your way out you can dine in the same area, as nearby is the famous Tianruifu Traditional Yunnan Rice Noodle with a menu full of authentic Chinese dishes. But if Kung Fu isn't your thing, another alternative is to book tickets to an acrobatic show in Beijing.

We continue north and on this day you can contrast ancient and modern Beijing art, visit one of the capital's busiest hutongs and finish the day at the Olympic Park with this itinerary which is the same as Beijing in one day. You can follow it with this map.

798 Art District

The first stop on this day of contrasts takes you on a tour of the industrial area of the Dashanzi Art District, the leading exponent of Beijing's contemporary art since 1953.

This area is better known as the 798 Art District and is home to a collection of galleries, studios, museums and shops showcasing urban and even somewhat semi-contemporary art.

As you wander through the maze of streets, with trendy bars and restaurants, you'll admire eye-catching art installations, graffiti and murals. With its eclectic mix of art, culture and cuisine, you'll be inspired and enriched by this unique corner of the city.

Experience the Hutongs in Dongcheng!

Discover the true essence of Beijing by immersing yourself in the Hutongs of Dongcheng. Hutongs are the areas formed by walled blocks and houses with beautiful inner courtyards between narrow streets. This is a window into the intimate, traditional and collective life of Beijing.

Many of these Hutongs are still preserved and Dongcheng is one of the oldest districts in Beijing where you can enjoy them, as well as experience authentic Chinese culinary culture and taste local specialities. You can also practice paper cutting, calligraphy and study ancient Beijing civilisation.

For this type of visit I recommend booking one of the Beijing Hutong tours, it's the best way to make the most of your time and usually includes 15-20 tastings.

Stroll through the Olympic Park

Marvel at the impressive structures that hosted the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing's Olympic Zone. From the iconic Bird's Nest National Stadium to the meandering Water Cube aquatic centre to the landscaped gardens.

The sheer scale of Beijing' s Olympic Park will amaze you. Stroll along its paths, take pictures, enjoy live events, play mahjong or badminton, take your first tai-chi class or just admire the beauty of the surroundings.

With such a vibrant atmosphere, dine nearby, as it is surrounded by a variety of restaurants serving traditional and international cuisine. Or if you haven't been able to book a tuk tuk food tour before, now is a good time to do so.

On the fourth day, I propose a 28-kilometre tour which you can see on this map. You will stroll through the summer palaces, savour traditional food amidst imperial gardens and get close to the most important Lama temple in the capital.

Beijing's Confucius Temple

This impressive temple was built in 1302 and is a sacred place for those seeking inspiration and wisdom on the path of knowledge. In fact, the more than 20,000-metre Beijing Confucius Temple is home to the Imperial College, the academy founded by Confucius himself.

Enjoy the serenity offered by its 13 pavilions from the Dacheng Gate, where the Qianlong Stone Drum is located, to the Chongsheng Temple and take in the beauty of the ancient structures.

Lama Temple

Next, head to the Lama Temple, where a sensory experience awaits you amidst offerings, monks, prayers and the smell of incense permeating every corner. In fact, you can also book the Summer Palace, Lama Temple and Panda Garden tour to see it with a guide.

This Tibetan temple is the largest of its kind in Beijing, dating back to the 18th century, and at 66,000 metres you'll find several monuments including:

• The Mountain of 500 Arhats, located inside the Pavilion of the Wheel of the Law.
• The 26-metre high Buddha statue located in the Ten Thousand Happiness Pavilion.

Lunch

On the way to the Summer Palaces, you can stop for lunch at Baijia Restaurant North Gate, a place to sample typical Sichuan cuisine where waiters dressed in traditional Qing Dynasty costumes and traditional architecture blend together to immerse you in traditional culture amidst the gardens of an ancient prince.

The Ruins of the Ancient Summer Palace Park

Yuanmingyuan Park has changed its name since its construction in 1707. From the Garden of Perfect Brilliance, it was renamed the Imperial Gardens and is now known as the Old Summer Palace.

There are 100 highlights ideal for relaxing, boating on Fuhai Lake and wandering along the trails. Visitors can also explore the palace ruins which include:

• The Pavilion of the Calm Seas.
• The Black Swan and Lotus Flower Monuments.
• The Garden of Elegant Spring and its palaces.

The current Summer Palace

Finally, end the day at the Summer Palace, an impressive imperial garden and palace built in the 18th century. With sweeping views of the surrounding hills and a stunning lake, the Summer Palace is not only a tourist attraction, but also a favourite spot for locals.

Walk across the 17-Arches Bridge, take a boat ride on Kunming Lake, admire the intricately designed Marble Boat by the lake or see the Buddhist Incense Pagoda on Longevity Hill.

Dinner

You are invited to conclude the tour at the Aman Restaurant on the south side of the palace, where you exchange the colourful atmosphere of lunch for the serenity of a restaurant overlooking the Summer Palace Grand Theatre.

The Great Wall of China is a fortress that stretches for thousands of kilometres in the mountains above Beijing and dates back to the 12th century. Depending on your desired level of difficulty and location, you can choose from at least six sections to walk and explore.

Those looking for a demanding climb can opt for the Jiankou section, while if you prefer a lighter hike, the Mutianyu is for you. In fact, the most popular walk to this fortress is the 5400-metre Mutianyu Great Wall.

It's the commercial wall, so you'll find places to eat, public transport and whatever else you need to see this defensive prodigy. You can visit it by booking a bus transfer to the Great Wall from Beijing, although there are many Great Wall tours available. But what are the things to see and do there?

Walk the Hero's Slope

The Hero's Slope is a magnificent hike that leads to the top of the Great Wall, is of medium difficulty and, when you reach the top of the path, offers breathtaking panoramic views. It's well worth the effort and, once at the top, you can take a tour of different parts of this stretch of the wall.

Take the cable car

The cable car is an easy way to enjoy the breathtaking views of the city. You can choose between two different cable cars: one that takes you up to the highest point and one that takes you through several watchtowers along the way. If you're looking for something more relaxing and less intense than mountain climbing, I recommend you opt for this route.

Slide down the toboggan run

The toboggan run is the perfect way to enjoy the descent, taking photos of your friends and family as you witness this wonderful sight, especially at the end of the day when you can see all the lights of the city.