Best Things To Do In Beijing

Planning Things To Do When You Visit Beijing

Beijing is a city rich in history and culture, offering a fascinating look at China’s past and present. From ancient palaces and temples to huge public squares and shrines, the capital is filled with iconic spots that tell the story of the country’s longstanding heritage. We enjoyed our time exploring this interesting city and have compiled what we think are the best things to do in Beijing to make the most of your visit.

Highlights of Beijing

Tiananmen Square

No trip to Beijing would be complete without a visit to Tiananmen Square, which is the largest city square in the world. This massive open space can hold up to half a million people and is considered the most popular attractions to visit in Beijing.

Around 95% of the visitors are from China, which gives you a real sense of the square’s national importance. We were fascinated to learn that for Chinese visitors, seeing the Mausoleum of Chairman Mao and the daily flag raising ceremony at sunrise is a lifelong dream. It’s not uncommon for people to line up in the middle of the night just to secure a good spot for the ceremony!

Surrounded by impressive historic buildings, Tiananmen Square is really a showcase of China’s cultural and political heritage. Notable sites include the Great Hall of the People, home to the National Congress Centre, which is large enough to host 1,000 guests for a meal.

When we visited at the end of the autumn holidays, a stunning flower basket structure had been erected in the centre of the square, and it was a really lovely decoration to see.

It is important to note that while entry to Tiananmen Square is free, it does require an advance reservation with your passport information. It is not a spot that you can just walk into on the day of your visit, as the timeslots fill up early.

✅ If you are looking for a great tour to cover several different sights in Beijing in one day, be sure to consider this 5-star tour that we took. It was a private option for us to visit three of the major locations in the city with a driver and private guide. Highly recommended!

Forbidden City

After spending time in the vast expanse of Tiananmen Square, it’s only a short walk to another one of the top things to do in Beijing, the Forbidden City or the Palace Museum as it is now called. Once off-limits to ordinary citizens, this grand palace complex offers an interesting look into China’s imperial past and the lives of its emperors.

Built in 1406, this sprawling complex required the labour of one million workers to complete and served as the Imperial Palace for nearly 500 years. Covering an area of 960 meters in length and surrounded by a 10-meter-high wall, it remains the largest palace complex in the world. We were very impressed with the size of the Palace of Versailles, but this one even exceeds that!

The Forbidden City is divided into two main sections: the Outer Court, where only men worked on government affairs, and the Inner Court, where the royal family lived. Inside, 8,704 rooms house around 1.86 million artifacts. Today, about 70% of the complex is open to the public, and you’ll need two full days to see it all properly. With 80,000 entrance tickets sold daily, it is necessary to purchase tickets at least a week in advance to secure entry.

You can begin your visit by entering through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, which is guarded by impressive bronze lion statues, one female and one male. They symbolize strength and protection, and we would see them in many important spots around Beijing.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony is magnificent and built entirely of wood without a single nail! Our guide suggested it fits together like an enormous LEGO structure. Supported by 72 towering pillars, it was engineered to withstand a 10.0 earthquake. Unfortunately, fires over the centuries have destroyed the hall several times, and today only four of the original pillars remain, made from rosewood, also known as Magic Royal Wood.

Some of the most fascinating areas are where the concubines’ quarters and the gardens where they spent time. Both are interesting spots to wander.

As you wander through the courtyards and pavilions, take note of the creative drainage system featuring 1142 dragon-shaped spouts that channel rainwater away during heavy storms.

Temple of Heaven

From the grandeur of the Forbidden City, continue your journey to the Temple of Heaven, one of Beijing’s most symbolic landmarks. Built in 1420, this immense complex served as the site where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties offered sacrifices and prayers for good harvests and abundant rain. Over the centuries, 22 emperors worshipped here, making it one of the most sacred sites in China.

Covering 273 hectares, about three times the size of the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven is divided into an inner and outer section, both designed according to the ancient principles of harmony between heaven and earth. Everything within the complex is built with multiples of nine, a number that symbolizes heaven and eternity. Our guide showed us the patterns that appear everywhere.

One of the most fascinating areas is the Circular Mound Altar, where emperors once performed Heaven Worship Ceremonies on the winter solstice. Many people like to stand in the centre and pray.

Another highlight is the Echo Wall, which surrounds the Imperial Vault of Heaven Courtyard. We saw people testing it out by standing at one end, and apparently, you can hear someone speaking from the other side, even when they’re far away. We experienced something similar when visiting the island of São Miguel in the Azores, where we stepped inside a speech point where voices are amplified in this one specific spot.

✅ If you only have one day to explore the city, then check out this fantastic private tour that is very highly rated for personalized and attentive service. With a private guide and driver, you can get to all four spots noted in our blog.

Don’t miss the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a 38 metre tall wooden structure built entirely without nails. Its ornate interior is heavily decorated, and the terrace offers panoramic views across the courtyard below.

With more than 3,402 stone slabs, over 3,000 ancient trees, and a 300 year old cypress tree, the Temple of Heaven is quite the marvel. In 1918, this sacred site became a public park, and in 1998, it was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and architectural significance.

Summer Palace

For a picturesque spot, make sure to visit the Summer Palace, one of Beijing’s most popular destinations, which is evidenced by the number of people on the grounds. Built in 1750 during the Qing Dynasty, the palace was originally constructed as a birthday gift from the emperor to his mother. We figured he must have really loved his mother since the property is very grand! Later, this spot became the preferred summer home for many emperors seeking to escape the heat of the Forbidden City.

Covering around 300 hectares, the Summer Palace is an impressive example of imperial architecture.  The scenic Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, both manmade, are the focal points of this imperial garden. We thought, even though it was man made, that it was a pretty good recreation and felt like a genuine natural environment.

A highlight of any visit is the Long Corridor, an elaborate walkway stretching along the lakefront and painted with over 14,000 unique paintings depicting scenes from Chinese myths, landscapes, and folklore. We couldn’t believe the detail of the colourful images that seemed to stretch forever.

As you stroll along this area, be sure to also look up toward the hilltop to see the Tower of Buddhist Incense, a stunning temple perched high above the grounds with panoramic views across the lake.

Another must see is the Marble Boat, also known as the Clear and Peaceful Boat, built in 1755. This remarkable structure, made entirely of stone, stands as a symbol of stability and longevity. 

One of the best things we really enjoyed was taking a traditional wooden boat ride across Kunming Lake. It’s a peaceful and scenic way to admire the beauty of the palace from a different perspective. It is also a pleasant way to return to the entrance gate without fighting the crowds.

Where To Stay In Beijing

The city is laid out with a circular pattern surrounding the Forbidden City at the centre. The roads wind around it and are named sequentially, starting with Ring Road 2, Ring Road 3, etc. The higher the number, the further out you are from the centre. The centre of the city is certainly the most convenient for the sights and also for pick up with tour companies.

For our stay, we chose the central area and stayed at the Beijing Hotel Nuo Forbidden City. The property was beautiful, and our room was spacious with a very comfortable bed and well appointed washroom. We were within walking distance of the Forbidden City.

The Final Word…Things To Do In Beijing

Beijing is a city that brings China’s history to life, and each sight really offers a look at the country’s fascinating history. Visiting these landmarks and seeing many Chinese people making the trip to their capital helps you understand how important tradition and culture are to the people of this country. With so many attractions in Beijing, first-time visitors can easily fill their days with amazing sights to see.