What to Do in Beijing? Beijing Itinerary 2 Days

Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, Beijing’s iconic heart with imperial history. Spend time at the Summer Palace and Old Summer Palace gardens. On day two, explore the Great Wall at Badaling (or quieter sections like Mutianyu). You can also walk old hutongs, experience local food (Peking Duck), and see historic parks and temples across the city

In this guide, you’ll discover Beijing’s top sights, plan a 2-day itinerary, save time, and experience culture efficiently.

What to Do in Beijing in Day 1?

The Palace Museum

A vast majority of tourists who visit Beijing for the first time consider the Forbidden City as a place they must see. The Forbidden City, known as Gugong in Mandarin, once served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

It is a symbol of ancient China. Although it is no longer China's political centre, you can still feel its former glory once you are within the courtyard and surrounded by the high walls.

Reviews from Real Guests:

• Trip.com User: A must-visit in Beijing! Stunning Spring Festival exhibits, intricate furniture, golden chimes, city wall views, and rich history. Crowded sometimes—go on weekdays, bring money, and enjoy Chinese culture fully.
• Trip.com User: The Forbidden City is incredible! Its red-and-yellow palaces are magnificent, full of history and cultural relics. Walking through the halls feels like stepping back in time—truly unforgettable.

Forbidden City: rich history with priceless relics.

What to Visit at Summer Palace?

Summer Palace nearby is the top choice before you leave The Palace Museum and hit the road.

Summer Palace

The Summer Palace in Haidian District, Beijing, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best‑preserved imperial garden, built in 1750 for Qing Dynasty emperors and later restored after 19th‑century damages. It blends palaces, temples, and landscape gardens across Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, reflecting traditional Chinese design and history.

Official site: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/880/ (UNESCO World Heritage).

Reviews from Real Guests:

• nina: The Summer Palace in winter is stunning! Frozen Kunming Lake, ice skating, Marble Boat, and the Tower of Buddhist Incense create breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences. A must-visit in Beijing!
• Trip.com User: The Summer Palace is a must-see! Stunning lake, historic temples, a 5m Buddha statue, and a massive park for walking. Affordable food, souvenirs, and unforgettable views—highly recommended for everyone.

Summer Palace is the largest and most well preserved royal park in China.

Where to Stay in Beijing in Day 1?

If you want to explore other popular attractions later, Crowne Plaza Beijing Zhongguancun is a suitable place for you to stay and refresh.

Crowne Plaza Beijing Zhongguancun

Located in the heart of bustling Zhongguancun, Crowne Plaza Beijing Zhongguancun features 298 spacious rooms with high-speed internet IHG Connect, 4 dining options and indoor pool and fitness centre.

Drive from our Zhongguancun location to Beijing airport in 45 minutes, and get to downtown and the China National Convention Center in 20 minutes. Subway lines 4 and 10 are a 5-minute walk away.

The hotel is also close to Peking University, Tsinghua University, Yuanmingyuan Imperial Garden and Beijing National Stadium. Nearby companies include IBM, Microsoft , Oracle and New Oriental.

Rouge Chinese Restaurant serves fine Cantonese, Anhui and Sichuan cuisines, together with a wide range of dim sum retreats. Valley Cafe offers both buffet selections and a-la-carte options. Mix Italian Grill-Teppan prepares meals with open-air Teppanyaki hotplate style cooking. To unwind, guests can visit the Lobby Lounge.

Crowne Plaza Beijing Zhongguancun offers airport shuttle services.

What to Do in Beijing in Day 2?

Old Summer Palace

The Old Summer Palace is a famous imperial garden constructed throughout the 18th and 19th centuries during the Qing Dynasty. It consists of three sections: Yuanming Garden, Changchun Garden, and Yichun Garden. Its excellent view earned it the reputation of "the garden of gardens."

However in 1860, British and French troops burned the main buildings into ashes. These days, tourists can only look at the wreckage and imagine its glory during the time of the Qing Dynasty.

Reviews from Real Guests:

• Trip.com User: The Old Summer Palace is known in Chinese as Yuanming Yuan. It is originally called the Imperial Gardens. I really liked this place. The territory of Yuanming Yuan is big and beautiful - a lor of trees, lakes, halls and ruins of Old Palace. It is a perfect place to take a walk, to read a book and to enjoy the nature and history.
• Katnanny: The old summer palace is a vast park located in Haidian, Beijing. Wonderful to wander around its many green areas or to enjoy a beautiful boat ride. The transportation inside the park is very convenient, and it has different monuments and sites important in Chinese History.

Old Summer Palace: miniature model shows original garden.

What to Do at Badaling Great Wall?

Now we come to another great highlight in the city: Badaling Great Wall.

Badaling Great Wall

The Great Wall of Badaling in Yanqing, Beijing, is a famed pass of the Ming Great Wall and one of the most complete, best‑preserved sections open to tourists according to its official site information. (https://badalinggreatwall.com/) Today, about 12 km of this section exists with 43 watchtowers, though roughly 3.74 km and 19 towers are restored and accessible for visitors.

Reviews from Real Guests:

• Trip.com User: The Great Wall of Badaling is magnificent! Stunning views, fresh air, and a sense of history make it unforgettable. Crowded at times—start early or take the cable car. A must-visit symbol of Chinese pride.
• Trip.com User: Visited the Great Wall in freezing winter—quiet and breathtaking! Steep climbs, daunting stairs, but reaching the top is rewarding. Incredible views and historic marvel. Book online and consider transport carefully. A must-visit despite harsh conditions.

Badaling Great Wall

* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.