Beijing walking tour & city guide
Imperial palaces, hutong alleys and the Great Wall nearby.
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Beijing has been China's capital for most of the last 800 years, and it is home to some of the greatest monuments in Asia. Vast imperial palaces and temples stand alongside traditional hutong alleys and a huge modern city, with the Great Wall winding over the mountains just to the north.
The Forbidden City and Tiananmen
The Forbidden City, the palace of the Ming and Qing emperors for nearly 500 years, is the largest palace complex in the world, with golden roofs, red walls and grand courtyards. It is now the Palace Museum. In front of it, Tiananmen Square is one of the largest public squares in the world.
Behind the palace, Jingshan Park has a hill with the best view over the golden rooftops. The Temple of Heaven, where emperors prayed for good harvests, is a masterpiece of Ming architecture set in a large park where locals practice tai chi, dance and play cards.
Hutongs and modern Beijing
The hutongs are narrow alleys of traditional courtyard houses. Areas such as Nanluoguxiang, Shichahai with its lakes, and Dashilan near Qianmen Street are great for wandering, by foot or rickshaw. The Lama Temple is a beautiful Tibetan Buddhist temple still in use.
Modern Beijing includes the Olympic Park with the 'Bird's Nest' stadium, the 798 Art District in former factories, and the shopping area of Sanlitun. The Summer Palace, with its lake and long painted corridor, is a royal garden retreat in the northwest.
Visiting tips
Book tickets for the Forbidden City in advance, as numbers are limited, and bring your passport. The Mutianyu and Jinshanling sections of the Great Wall are less crowded than Badaling. Spring and autumn have the most pleasant weather.
Top sights in Beijing
- 1
Forbidden City
The vast palace of the emperors.
- 2
Temple of Heaven
A Ming temple in a lively park.
- 3
Great Wall at Mutianyu
A beautiful restored section near the city.
- 4
Summer Palace
Imperial gardens around a lake.
- 5
Jingshan Park
A hilltop view over the Forbidden City.
- 6
Hutongs of Shichahai
Traditional alleys around the lakes.
Food markets & where to eat in Beijing
Qianmen Street
A historic pedestrian street with old food brands.
Hutong snack streets
Traditional snacks in the alleys.
Guijie (Ghost Street)
A long street of restaurants open late.
Wangfujing
A shopping street with food halls.
Food to try in Beijing
Peking duck
Crispy roast duck with pancakes and sweet sauce.
Zhajiangmian
Noodles with fermented soybean paste.
Jianbing
A savory crepe, Beijing's favorite breakfast.
Tanghulu
Candied hawthorn berries on a stick.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Beijing
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in BeijingCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Beijing.
- eSIM for ChinaStay online from the moment you land.
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