What are the best things to do in Beijing for first-time visitor? - Trip.com Guide

In Beijing, you can explore ancient temples, stroll through traditional hutongs, and try iconic Beijing dishes. It has famous landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, lively shopping streets, and entertainment districts. Now, with a 240-hour free visa policy, Trip.com provides a free Beijing Express program to help you explore the long history of ancient China. Follow us to prepare your Beijing travel better and easier!

Forbidden City & Palace Museum

The Forbidden City is located in central Beijing and the Palace Museum was built in 1925. It is based on the Forbidden City, an imperial palace of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. As the largest and best-preserved wooden palace complex in the world, the Palace Museum offers visitors a glimpse into the imperial lives of the Ming and Qing dynastieswith its extensive collection of over 1.8 million pieces of art.

The Palace Museum

No. 4, Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

4.8/5.0: Outstanding

From $9.53
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If you want a guide to better understand the interesting stories behind the ancient architecture, Trip.com has many high rated tours for you to select:

Badaling Great Wall

Badaling Great Wall, located approximately 80 kilometers northwest of Beijing's city center, is the most visited section of the Great Wall of China. Built during the Ming Dynasty in 1505, it holds a strategic military position and has been restored to become a significant cultural heritage site, recognized by the United Nations as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Badaling Great Wall

Exit 58 of G6 Beijing-Lhasa Expressway, Yanqing District, Beijing

4.7/5: Outstanding

From $4.84
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Since Badaling Great Wall can be one of the most popular attraction in Beijing, Trip.com has the many tours options for you:

Tian'an men Square

Tian'anmen Square is a famous landmark in Beijing, built in 1651. It is one of the largest public squares in the world. Tian'anmen Square is next to the Forbidden City, and The Monument to the People’s Heroes and the National Museum of China are all there. You can visit these famous attractions together easily. We suggest you arrive early if you want to watch the best part of Tian'anmen Square. Since there will has a flag-raising ceremony every morning.

Tiananmen Square

Chang'an Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

4.8/5: Outstanding

Free Entry
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Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)

The Summer Palace in Beijing, known as Yiheyuan (颐和园) in Chinese, is celebrated as the most well-preserved imperial garden in the world. It is over 290 hectares and built in 1750 during Qing Dynasty. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design, plants, paths, water, and land, and epitomizing the philosophy and practice of Chinese garden design.

The Summer Palace

No. 19, Gongmeng Road, Haidian District, Beijing

4.7/5: Outstanding

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It is common to buy the combo tickets for multiple palaces with Summer Palace. Here are better options for cheaper ticket price with a guide:

Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan)

The Old Summer Palace, known as Yuanmingyuan (圆明园) in Chinese, was a vast imperial garden built in the Qing Dynasty. Constructed in the early 18th century, it served as a summer retreat for emperors, filled with grand palaces, lakes, and pavilions. In 1860, it was destroyed by Anglo-French forces during the War. Today, it remains a historical site with ruins showcasing the garden’s former glory, covering 3.5 km².

Yuanmingyuan Park

No.9 of Best Things to Do in Beijing

4.7/5: Outstanding

From $3.44
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Temple of Heaven (Tian Tan)

The Temple of Heaven, called Tian Tan (天坛) in Chinese, is a temple for praying a good harvest. It was built between 1406 and 1420. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Tian Tan will have annual ceremonies for harvest. Temple of Heaven is also inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has three main parts, The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest (祈年殿), The Imperial Vault of Heaven (皇穹宇), and The Circular Mound Altar (圜丘坛), which totally cover 2.73 km².

The Temple of Heaven Park

2024 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

4.7/5: Outstanding

From $3.85
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Yonghe (Lama) Temple

Yonghe Temple (雍和宫) is also called Yonghe Lemasery or Lama Temple. It was built in 1694 during Qing dynasty and originally a residence for Prince Yong but later converted into a monastery. The temple features traditional Chinese and Tibetan architectural styles, with the impressive 18-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha statue carved from a single piece of sandalwood. It remains one of the most significant Buddhist temples in China.

Yonghe Gong

No.12 of Best Things to Do in Beijing

4.7/5: Outstanding

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Since Yonghe Temple is closer to several attractions, Trip.com has some day tours that guide you to visit all together:

Bird's Nest (Niao Chao)

The Bird’s Nest (鸟巢) is the National Stadium of China, built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron, the stadium has a unique steel structure resembling a bird’s nest. It covers 258,000 m² and can hold over 80,000 spectators. It continues to host international sports events and concerts and was a key venue for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

National Stadium-Bird's Nest

2024 Asia 100 - Nightlife

4.6/5: Excellent

From $7.96
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Universal Studio Beijing

Universal Studios Beijing (北京环球影城) is a major theme park that opened in 2021. It is the largest Universal Studios park in Asia, featuring seven themed areas, including he Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic World Isla Nublar, Transformers: Metrobase, and Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness. The park also hosts live shows, parades, and character meet-and-greets, along with a variety of themed dining options.

Universal Beijing Resort

2024 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

4.5/5: Outstanding

From $40.43
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Since Universal Studio Beijing is far from city center, visitors always choose to book one or two night hotels near the Park. Here are some popular hotels near Universal Studio Beijing:

Get the overall guide of Universal Studio Beijing here for different tickets:

Other Activities in Beijing

See Giant Pandas in Beijing Zoo

If you never see giant pandas before, you should definitely consider Beijing Zoo to see the cute pandas. There are only several zoos have pandas, including Beijing Zoo. It has a Panda Hall with over 10,000 square metres, and over 450 land animals and 500 marine animals. Beijing Zoo can be a great things to do for family travelers.

Beijing Zoo

2024 Asia 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

4.5/5: Outstanding

From $1.38
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Enjoy tea culture in Beijing

Lao She Tea House is a popular tea house in Beijing with its interesting performance and tea stories. It provides "Four Seasons Beijing·Tea" Variety Show, Drama "Old Stories in the Teahouse: Dragon and Phoenix Jade Pendant", Beijing-style drum music by the Quyi Troupe, Show Ticket for Beijing style crosstalk performance, Drama "Old Stories in the Teahouse: Jade Ring".

Lao She Tea House

West Qianmen Street in Beijing

4.6/5: Outstanding

From $13.75
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Must-try Beijing Food

Peking Duck

Peking Duck is Beijing’s most famous dish. It dates back to the imperial era of the Ming Dynasty. The duck is roasted until the skin is crispy and golden. Chefs slice it thinly and serve it with pancakes, cucumber, scallions, and sweet bean sauce. Quanjude and Da Dong are two well-known restaurants for authentic Peking Duck.

Zhajiangmian (Beijing Noodles with Soybean Paste)

Zhajiangmian is a local favorite. The dish has thick wheat noodles topped with a salty, rich soybean paste. Diced pork or beef is usually mixed into the sauce. Fresh cucumber and radish strips add crunch. It is a simple but flavorful meal. Many small noodle shops in Beijing serve this dish.

Beijing Hot Pot

Beijing-style hot pot is different from Sichuan hot pot. It uses a copper pot with a chimney in the middle. The broth is light, often made with water, ginger, and green onions. Thinly sliced lamb is the main ingredient. People dip the meat into sesame sauce before eating. Many hot pot restaurants serve this dish, especially in winter. Donglaishun is a famous place to try it.

Beijing Travel Tips

Free Visa Policy

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Get Chpeaer Hotels & Flights

If you consider convenience for sightseeing, hotels near Wangfujing can be good choices. It is close to the Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square. It has luxury hotels, malls, and local restaurants. Here are some hotels near Wangfujing:

If you want to enjoy nightlife in Beijing, Sanlitun is famous for bars, clubs, and global cuisine. Embassies nearby give it an international vibe. Here are popular hotels near Sanlitun:

If you like traditional Hutongs in Beijing, Houhai & Nanlouguxiang can be perfect places. These areas have old Beijing charm with narrow alleyways and courtyard houses. Boutique hotels, teahouses, and bars offer a mix of history and culture. Here are hotels you can leave around these areas:

If you are traveling for business, Chaoyang CBD is a popular place to stay as Beijing’s business hub. It has luxury hotels, office towers, and international dining. Ideal for business and modern city life. Here are some recommended hotels: