Ever since China began expanding its visa-free travel and 72/144-hour visa-free transit policies to more countries last year, have you had any friends or family members who have come to Beijing to visit since then? Anyone you know planning to come? What sort of essential tips would you give them? The Beijinger is running a new series providing such essential tips for short-term visitors to the capital. We hope it’ll make things easier for overseas visitors, and help make your life easier inviting and receiving visitors from back home. Check it out and give us your feedback below!
Beijing is one of the world’s most important and historic cities and has served as China’s capital since the 15th century. How much time does a visitor need to see everything there is to see? One day isn’t enough, and a week probably isn’t, either. There are far more sites than we could possibly list here, but below is an introduction to the most unique and interesting places to visit in Beijing.
We listed the official Ticket Purchasing channel for all venues request tickets, but recommend you to book tours through reliable travel websites like www.trip.com to have a better experience, because purchasing tickets via the WeChat official account might be challenging for you (many of the venues only have that one option) and having a good tour guide will definitely make your experience better.
The Great Wall 长城
The Great Wall is undoubtedly China’s ancient wonder of the world. Stretching over 21,000 kilometers, it is the longest man-made structure in the world, built over centuries by China’s emperors to protect their territory. The wall runs north of Beijing and there are dozens of spots you can visit; Badaling is the most popular and preserved section, with handrailed staircases, cable cars, and breathtaking scenery.
There is a steep side and a more gradual side to the Badaling Great Wall, please choose according to your level, especially in inclement weather.
The Badaling Great Wall is about an hour’s drive from central Beijing, longer on a public bus, so allow sufficient travel time. When in doubt, leave early to ensure maximum time at the Wall. Tickets do not need to be booked in advance.
Badaling Section
- Opening Hours: 6:30am-4.30pm | Mon-Sun
- Ticket Purchasing: https://www.trip.com/travel-guide/attraction/beijing/badaling-great-wall-75596/
- Address in English: Exit 58, Beijing-Tibet Highway, Yanqing District
- Address in Chinese: 延庆区G6京藏高速58号出口
- Ticket Fare:
- High Season (Apr 1 – Oct 3) Admission Ticket: RMB 40/person
- Low Season (Nov.1 – Mar.31) Admission Ticket: RMB 35/person
- Cable Car Ticket: RMB 100/Single Trip; RMB 140/Round Trip
- Pulley Ticket: RMB 80/Single Trip; RMB 120/Round Trip
The Forbidden City 故宫
The Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, served as the seat of power and residence of 25 Ming and Qing Dynasty emperors for over 500 years (1420-1924). It still occupies the center of Beijing, a city that was built around it. As the largest and best-preserved imperial palace complex in the world, the Forbidden City was listed as a World’s Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. Booking ahead of time is required for The Forbidden City, and can fill up a week or more in advance. Book your tickets as early as possible. Read Summer 2024 Visitor Tips for the Palace Museum via this link: https://bookingticket.dpm.org.cn/detail?id=63
- Opening Hours: 8.30am-4.30pm | Tues-Sun
- Ticket Purchasing: https://bookingticket.dpm.org.cn/
- Address in English: 4 Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District
- Address in Chinese: 东城区景山前街4号
- Ticket Fare:
- High Season (Apr 1 – Oct 3) Admission Ticket: RMB 60/person
- Low Season (Nov 1 – Mar 31) Admission Ticket: RMB 40/person
The National Museum of China 国家博物馆
The National Museum of China is the third most-visited museum in the world. Acclaimed for its collection of Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) imperial treasures, ancient porcelain, and cloisonne ware, the museum, located on the east side of Tiananmen Square, holds one of China’s grandest collections of artifacts and cultural treasures. Its historical emphasis aims to educate visitors on China’s imperial history, World War II, the victory of the People’s Liberation Army during China’s civil war, and China’s modern history after liberation.
- Opening Hours: 9am-5.30pm | Tues-Sun
- Ticket Purchasing: http://en.chnmuseum.cn/visit_692/#res_here
- Address in English: 16 East Chang’an Avenue, Dongcheng District
- Address in Chinese: 东城区东长安街16号 天安门广场东侧
- Ticket Fare: Free (requires 1-7 days advanced online registration)
Tiananmen Square 天安门广场
First built in 1651, Tiananmen Square is situated in the center of Beijing and is one of the largest public squares in the world. The square derives its name from the massive Tiananmen (“Gate of Heavenly Peace”) situated at its northern end, from which Mao Zedong famously proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949. It is home to the famous Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.
- Opening Hours: 5:30am-6pm | Mon-Sun
- Address in English: Chang’an Street, Dongcheng District
- Address in Chinese: 东城区西长安街
- Ticket Fare: Free (no registration required)
The Temple of Heaven 天坛
The Temple of Heaven is an Imperial sacrificial altar in Beijing built in the 15th century. UNESCO World Heritage Convention explains that the temple “symbolizes the relationship between earth and heaven – the human world and God’s world – which stands at the heart of Chinese cosmogony.” At its center is the Hall of Supreme Harmony, with its iconic architecture and shape that has long been the symbol of Beijing. Walk the temple park’s spacious and serene grounds, and don’t forget to try the Echo Wall — see how far away you can hear your friend whispering against this acoustically precise structure.
- Opening Hours: 6am-10pm (high season) | 6:30am-10pm (low season) | Mon-Sun
- Ticket Purchasing: Search and follow the “天坛公园官方购票平台” Official Account on WeChat.
- Click “购票TKTS” (bottom left).
- Click “English” (top right) to continue.
- Please note that this is the only option for booking tickets. They must be purchased in advance, using a passport or ID number via the official WeChat account.
- Visitors under 18 must register, but may enter for free.
The Temple of Heaven offers two types of tickets: “Through Tickets,” which will allow access to all of the main sites, including the Hall of Supreme Harmony and Echo Wall; and “Admission Tickets,” which only grant access to the temple’s outer grounds. Both require registration and advance purchase. Tickets can be purchased at the main entrance ticket office, but there is no guarantee the time you want will be available, and real-name registration with a passport or official ID is still required. Please bring your passport or ID with you for inspection.
- Official Website: http://www.tiantanpark.com/ This site is mostly informational. The link for tickets will direct you to the official WeChat account.
- Address in English: 7 Tiantan’neidongli, Dongcheng District
- Address in Chinese: 东城区天坛内东里7号
- Ticket Fare: RMB 34/person (Through Tickets)
The Summer Palace 颐和园
Located in northwestern Beijing, the Summer Palace is one of the world’s best-preserved imperial gardens. It was built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and in 1970 was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This landscape masterpiece of “hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples, and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.” Stroll its vast grounds, or rent a paddle boat and enjoy the view from Kunming Lake at its center.
- Opening Hours: 6am-8pm (high season) | 6.30am-7pm (low season) | Mon-Sun
- Ticket Purchasing: Search and follow the “颐和园” Official Account on WeChat. Click “任你购” (bottom left) then “开始购票.” Click “English” (top right) to continue. Tickets can also be purchased at the main entrance.
- Address in English: 19 Xinjiangongmen Lu, Haidian District
- Address in Chinese: 海淀区新建宫门路19号
- Ticket Fare:
- High Season (Apr 1 – Oct 31) Admission Ticket: RMB 30/person
- Low Season (Nov 1 – Mar 31) Admission Ticket: RMB 20/person
The Confucius Temple 孔庙国子监
The Confucius Temple was the dedicated space for the city to pay homage to China’s most famous teacher, philosopher, and political theorist, Confucius. According to travel information site Viator, the Confucius Temple was also the site of the imperial college during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, and now a museum consisting of multiple scholarly halls and stone steles and showcasing the educational system in imperial China. Students are often brought here to learn about China’s educational history and for inspiration to study hard.
- Opening Hours: 8.30am-5pm (November-April) | 8.30am-6pm (May-October) | Tues-Sun
- Ticket Purchasing: Search and follow “孔庙和国子监博物馆” Official Account on WeChat. Click “票务服务” (bottom right). Click “Translate Full Text” (top) for WeChat translation to continue. Tickets may be purchased with cash, Alipay, or Wechat in person at the main entrance.
- Address in English: 15 Guozijian Lu, Dongcheng District
- Address in Chinese: 东城区安定门内国子监街13号
- Ticket Fare: RMB 30 (year round)
798 Arts District 798 艺术区
798 Arts District lies in a complex of 50-year-old, decommissioned military factory buildings that evolved to house a thriving artistic community. It now has grown to include countless art galleries and museums. In between, cafes, boutiques, and streetside art stalls have filled in the gaps to make the area one of the most interesting and dynamic contemporary cultural spots of Beijing. 798 celebrates everything from traditional Chinese to modern art as it hosts exhibitions of historical and contemporary artists from all over the world.
- Opening Hours: all day (Arts District) | 10am-6pm (most shops and galleries) | Mon-Sun
- Ticket Purchasing: Tickets are not necessary to enter the 798 area. Some museums or exhibits may require an entry fee.
- Address in English: 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District
- Address in Chinese: 朝阳区酒仙桥街道酒仙桥路2 号
- Ticket Fare: Free (some galleries/exhibitions require on-site ticket purchasing)
Liangma River 亮马河
One of the city’s newest attractions, the Liangma River International Waterfront took a section of backwater and turned it into a vibrant social and cultural wharf. It can be enjoyed as a cafe and dining area, especially in fairer weather, or during an early morning run or evening walk. An important part of Beijing’s canal culture, the Liangma River passes through embassy Zones, important business districts, sensational shopping centers, and traverses the iconic Chaoyang Park before joining the Ba River. The Liangma River International Waterfront offers boat cruises that glide through the river’s enchanting atmosphere while strolling and other land activities are open to the public at all times.
- Opening Hours (boat cruises): 3-6.30pm (day cruise) | 7-11pm (night cruise)
- Ticket Purchasing: Purchase on-site or search and follow the “亮马河国际风情水岸” Official Account on WeChat. Click “点我购票” (bottom left) then “预约购票.” Click “Translate Full Text” (top) for WeChat translation to continue.
- Address in English: 6 Chaoyang Park Road Solana, Chaoyang District
- Address in Chinese: 朝阳区麦子店道公园路蓝色港湾东侧蓝港码头
- Ticket Fare:
- Day Cruise (up to 12 or 34 people): RMB 80/adult, RMB 40/child under 1.2 meters
- Night Cruise (up to 12 or 34 people): RMB 120/adult, RMB 60/child under 1.2 meters
The Lama Temple (Yong He Gong) 雍和宫
Considered the largest and most perfectly preserved lamasery in present-day China, the Lama Temple was originally the royal residence of Emperor Yongzheng when he was just a prince. It continues to be an active place of worship staffed by monks. According to Lonely Planet, “Expect to spend at least an hour wandering the halls and courtyards, admiring the architecture, statues, and wall-mounted mandalas and temple relics on show throughout.” The centerpiece of the temple is the Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses, visible from the Second Ring Road, in which an 18-meter-tall statue of Buddha, carved from a single sandalwood tree, stands.
- Opening Hours: 9am-5pm (April-October) | 9am-4.30pm (November-March) | Mon-Sun
- Ticket Purchasing: Search and follow “雍和宫游客信众服务” Official Account on WeChat. Click “购票选择” (bottom left) then “个人购票” two consecutive times. Then choose your visiting hour. Tickets are available from the ticket kiosk, if availability allows, at the main entrance for cash, Alipay, or WeChat,
- Address in English: 12 Yonghegong Street, Beixinqiao, Dongcheng District
- Address in Chinese: 东城区雍和宫大街12号
- Ticket Fare: RMB 25 (all year round)
Grand Canal Museum 北京运河博物馆
Adjacent to Beijing’s Central Green Forest Park, Beijing Performing Arts Center, and Beijing Library, the Grand Canal Museum celebrates the history of the intertwined development of Beijing and the Grand Canal from prehistoric to modern times. With blockbuster exhibitions, major themed social-educational programs and activities, and boat and sail-shaped roofs, the museum masterfully inspires its visitors with its host-country’s canal history.
- Opening Hours: 10am-8pm | Tues-Sun
- Address in English: Building 5, 1 Luxin Street, Tongzhou District, Beijing
- Address in Chinese: 北京市通州区绿心路1号院5号楼
- Ticket Fare: Admission and time-specific tours are free and no registration is required.
READ: A Walking Guide to the Central Axis: Beijing’s Newest UNESCO World Heritage Site
Images: Pexels, Visit Beijing, Uni You