2 Days Beijing Itinerary: Best Places to Visit in Beijing

Day 1 | Morning

The Palace Museum

Opening Hours: Closed on Mon;Open from 04/01-10/31,Tue-Sun,8:30am-5:00pm;Open from 11/1-3/31,Tue-Sun,8:30am-4:30pm;Open from 8:30am-5:00pm during Labour Day,Ching Ming Festival,Dragon Boat Festival,China's national day,Mid-Autumn Festival

Ticket Price: 40 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 0.5-1 Days

Location: No. 4, Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

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. Its long history has left behind a large amount of precious architecture and cultural relics, making it one of the most important cultural heritage in modern China.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: It was a must if you visit Beijing.There had some special things being exhibited because of the Spring Festival,like couplets,lanterns,door god and many of the traditional celebration and celebratory things.They were beautiful and delicate and old.For instance,we saw many exquisite chairs and cupboards and tables in the furniture museum.There were many tiny details and figures on it. The exhibition was great but just a little bit crowded.I was too little compared with those adults so I could hardy see these fantastic things. I saw a set of golden chimes and they are huge,shining and impressive.It also had a meandering experience. We not only went to see the exhibition but also walked around it on the city walls.There were exhibitions in the turrets too.There was one showing you how it was built and that made me gasp in admiration about our ancestors’ wise for building houses without a single nail. It was great to go for a walk on it because you can see the beautiful scenes both inside and outside.It was good to see the whole museum from up high and you can see the yellow or green roofs,the yellow ones will be golden if the sun shines on it,and the red walls.Outside,you’ll see the Jingshan Park .There were just a few people on the city walls because many of the tourists don’t know this. Things in it were still brilliant.It was a big museum and there were many long-term exhibitions.We didn’t go into all of them because we were running out of time but I know they are pretty good so I suggest you go in and have a look.I promise it won’t let you down. I know I will come back for the second,or third time.I hope you’ll have that feeling too.It’s a good place to know further about Chinese culture ,history and it was our glory! Tips:1.If you want to have a better visiting experience,you’d better go there on weekdays and there would be fewer people. 2.Things in it will be a little expensive so you ought to prepare everything well and full up your tummy or bring enough money.

Trip.com User: It is a amazing palace that i have ever see. I went there with my family.It is a great place to visit.The building is very magnificent.The Ming and the Qing dynasty royal lived here before.It has a unique style of Chinese clssical architecture.Building in red and yellow as the main color.It shows the palece of the mighty and the magnificent.We wandered in the hall of TAIHE DIAN square s if back to ancient times.The Forbidden City is made up of the Outer Court and the Inner Court.Pride in the display the many cultural relics,they are valuable. It is a wonderful to visit. If you come here,you will have an unforgettable memories.

Day 1 | Afternoon

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

Summer Palace

Opening Hours: Open from 4/1-10/31,6:00am-8:00pm;Open from 11/1-3/31,6:30am-7:00pm

Ticket Price: 20 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 3-6 Hours

Location: No. 19, Gongmeng Road, Haidian District, Beijing

Situated in the Haidian District northwest of Beijing, the Summer Palace is a Unesco World Heritage site that used to be the palace and garden of the emperors of the Qing Dynasty. It is the largest and most well preserved royal park in China. Construction of the palace began in 1750 and it served as a residential and entertainment area for the royal members. The palace underwent two major reconstructions after suffering damages during invasions by the Anglo-French Allied Forces and the Eight-Power Allied Forces during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Summer Palace can be divided into three sectors: a political activity area centered at the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity; an empress living area concentrated around the Hall of Jade Billows and Hall of Joy and Longevity; and a tour route concentrated along the long corridor, rear hill, and the west sector.

Reviews from Real Guests:

nina: The summer palace in winter n the color during sunset were amazing,especially near the marble boat.Also in winter under a certain temperature,rent a ice sledge to go on the lake it is worth the try,it is really funny n you can have amazing view from the frozen lake just wow..loved the ice skating it was real funsummer palace was very beautiful.even though it was winters n the Kunming lake was frozen.The view was breathtaking.Another marvellous creation by the King Dynasty.The tower of Buddhist incense was amazing..worth visiting place.. had a wonderful time in Beijing.. #ancientchinesearchitecture #the beautifulstoneboat #sobeautiful #sunset #tookalotofphotos #hadawonderfultime #insummerpalace #breathtakingview #kummunglake #frozenlake #iceskating #toomuchfun

Trip.com User: the summer palace is really a sight to see! it’s amazing ancient China and one can really learn a lot here at the temple where incense was burned. the lake is breathtaking and the temple matching in awe. the climb to the top is not to bad. there is a 5m high Buddha statue at the top. Summer palace boasts many things to see and the park it’s self is massive so a good walk around is guaranteed. food and beverages are sold inside and not at too much of a price hike. I bought a chicken burger for 15 and it was reasonably good. They also have merch and gifts on sale. I recommend this attraction to any local or foreigner who hasn’t seen it.

Day 1 | Evening

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.

Day 2 | Morning

Old Summer Palace

Opening Hours: Open from 7:00am-6:00pm

Ticket Price: 10 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 3-6 Hours

Location: No. 28, Qinghua West Road, Haidian District, Beijing

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. If your imagination is not good enough, you can learn more about what the garden looked like through the miniature model in Changchun Garden.

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.

Day 2 | Afternoon

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

Badaling Great Wall

Opening Hours: Open from 7:30am-4:00pm

Ticket Price: 35 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 3-4 Hours

Location: Turn right at Exit 58 of Beijing-Tibet Expressway, Yanqing County, Beijing

The Great Wall of Badaling in Yanqing, Beijing, is a pass for the Ming Great Wall. As the saying goes, "you are not a hero until you reach the Great Wall". Most locals take this spot to be the start of the ascent of the Great Wall. The Badaling Great Wall is the most complete section among the various great walls in Beijing. The total length of this sectionn is 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) with 43 watchtowers, however only 2.3 miles (3.74 kilometers) and 19 watchtowers have been restored and opened to visitors. Compared with other sections, most stairs are not very steep and they are equipped with handrails, so it is a relatively easier climb.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: Last month,I arrived at the Great Wall of Badaling with my family.It was the longest onebetween the Great Wall of Simatai and the Great Wall of Shuiguan.It was like a dragen lying on the ground.The Great Wall is very high,so it is difficult to climb it.We had to go there by cable car.Because we left late,there were a lot of people waiting the cable car.It took us along time to got to the top of the Great Wall,but it didnot affect my excitement at all,Standing on the top of the Great Wall,looking at the blue sky,green montains,breathing the fresh air outside the Great Wall,I seemed to hare everying. The Great Wall is the pride and symbol of the Chinese nation.It is very magnificent.It is a place which is worth visiting.Because of the large number of the large number of tourists,it is necessary to start early and reduce waiting time in line.

Trip.com User: I visited the Great Wall December 30 2020. it was -12 degrees and windy. Due to the weather it was incredibly quiet which was magnificent but it was not pleasant feeling so cold. The wall is not a walk it is a climb. There are some very steep sections and the stairs can be a little daunting if you’re afraid of heights. standing at the top of the 8th tower is something special, looking into the distance at how far it stretches and the fact that people made this huge structure is mind blowing. I feel very accomplished for climbing the wall in the conditions I faced but I’m not sure I would recommend going during the same weather conditions but definitely make an effort to visit. Be sure to book online and it is much easier to get a didi to the wall as I tried getting the train to find I had no idea which train to take.

* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.