Beijing 3-Day Itinerary: Ultimate Guide for First-Time Visitors

Beijing seamlessly fuses the grandeur of an ancient capital with the energy of a modern metropolis. For first-time foreign travelers, a Beijing 3-day itinerary should balance iconic landmarks, cultural immersion, and convenient transport.

This carefully curated itinerary covers transport, dining, ticketing, and insider tips, helping you explore Beijing effortlessly while savoring its history, scenery, and flavors.

Where to Stay: Wangfujing – The Most Convenient Base

• Recommended Area: Hotels along Wangfujing Pedestrian Street or nearby Subway Lines 1/5.
• Why Choose Wangfujing?
  • Prime Location: Walk to Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City in 15 minutes; direct subway access to Temple of Heaven and Lama Temple.
  • Complete Amenities: Restaurants, cafés, convenience stores, and pharmacies with 24-hour service.
  • Safety & Comfort: English-friendly services, safe neighborhood, ideal for international visitors.

Day 1: Explore Beijing’s Imperial Heart – Forbidden City, Jingshan & Beihai Park

Theme: Step back into the Ming and Qing Dynasties and experience the grandeur of the Imperial City.

• Route: Forbidden City → Jingshan Park → Beihai Park
• Transport Tips: Subway Line 1 to Tian’anmen East/West Station, or walk to Meridian Gate (Wǔmén). Exit via Gate of Divine Prowess (Shénwǔmén) and walk 10 minutes to Jingshan Park. Beihai Park is a 15-minute walk from Jingshan, or 5 minutes by bike.

Highlights:

• Forbidden City (Palace Museum): Pre-book tickets 7 days in advance (¥60/person). Closed Mondays. Walk the central axis through majestic halls and courtyards once home to China’s emperors.
• Jingshan Park: Ticket ¥2/person. Climb Wanchun Pavilion for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City.
• Beihai Park: Combined ticket ¥20/person. Enjoy lakeside strolls or rent a boat (¥140/hour).

Dining:

• Lunch: Forbidden City Corner Tower Café or Siji Minfu Roast Duck (expect a queue).
• Dinner: Běixīnqiáo Lǔzhǔ Lăodiàn (Old Beijing braised pork offal & Zhajiangmian).

Insider Tips:

• Strict Forbidden City security (no drones/lighters).
• Summer: bring a hat, sunscreen, and water.

Day 2: Ascend the Great Wall & Find Zen at Hongluo Temple

Theme: Scale a World Wonder and experience suburban serenity with a touch of spirituality.

• Route: Mutianyu Great Wall → Hongluo Temple
• Transport: Mutianyu Tourist Bus from Qianmen/Dongzhimen (¥80, round trip, optional ticket included), or Subway Line 2 → Dongzhimen → Bus H24. Taxi between Mutianyu & Hongluo ~20 min (¥30).

Highlights:

• Mutianyu Great Wall: Ticket ¥40/person, cable car ¥100 one-way (recommended up, walk down). Steep but breathtaking.
• Hongluo Temple: Ticket ¥54/person. Zen atmosphere, climb to Guanyin Temple for views of Yanqi Lake.

Dining:

• Lunch: Yisong Lou (rainbow trout, local farm dishes).
• Dinner: Yŭ Shīfù Restaurant near Hongluo Temple (Huairou-style trout cooked two ways).

Tips:

• Wear non-slip shoes for steep sections of the Wall.
• Maintain silence inside Hongluo Temple.

Day 3: Summer Palace & Beijing Academic Spirit

Theme: Wander imperial gardens, experience traditional architecture, and visit China’s top universities.

• Route: Summer Palace (Yíhéyuán) → Suzhou Street → Tsinghua University / Peking University
• Transport: Subway Line 4 to Beigongmen Station (Summer Palace North Gate). Exit East Gate → 10-minute walk to Suzhou Street. Taxi/Subway to Tsinghua or Peking University (~15 min, ¥20).

Highlights:

• Summer Palace: Ticket ¥30/person; Combined Ticket ¥60. Optional audio guide ¥20. Rent a boat on Kunming Lake for a scenic experience.
• Suzhou Street: Ticket ¥10/person. Faux Southern architecture, boat rentals available.
• Tsinghua/Peking University: Book in advance via official WeChat mini-programs. Entry requires passport/ID.

Dining:

• Lunch: Tingli Guan (imperial cuisine inside Summer Palace) or Xiao Diao Li Tang (Olympic Branch).
• Dinner: Wudaokou Zăogāo Wáng (Jujube Cake King, near Tsinghua) or Xiao Diao Li Tang (Summer Palace Branch).

Tips:

• Summer Palace is vast—enter North Gate, exit East Gate.
• Bring mosquito repellent in summer.

Pre-Trip Essentials for Your Beijing 3-Day Itinerary

• Transit Card: Use Yitongxing app or a physical Beijing Yikatong card for subway rides.
• Language Support: English signage is common; Google Translate helps.
• Safety Tips: Avoid subway rush hours (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM). Always carry your passport.
• Cultural Etiquette: At temples, avoid touching statues; confirm photography rules.

Conclusion

This Beijing 3-day itinerary balances History – Nature – Academia. From the grandeur of the Great Wall to the elegance of the Summer Palace and the charm of local cuisine, visitors can fully immerse themselves in Beijing’s rich heritage.

Whether exploring imperial gardens or sampling Old Beijing delicacies, this guide ensures a convenient, culturally rich, and unforgettable experience in China’s capital. Check out Beijing Local Food Trails for more culinary adventures. For additional travel plans, see Beijing Travel Itineraries.