Experience the Perfect Blend of Ancient Heritage and Modern Marvels
Beijing, China’s magnificent capital, offers an extraordinary journey through 3,000 years of history while showcasing cutting-edge modernity. This comprehensive 7-day itinerary is designed specifically for international visitors, providing an immersive experience of the city’s most iconic attractions, cultural treasures, and hidden gems.
Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions
Welcome to the Heart of China
Morning: Airport to City Center
- Arrival: Land at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
- Transportation: Take the Airport Express train to city center (¥25, 30 minutes)
- Hotel Check-in: Recommended areas – Dongcheng District (near Forbidden City) or Chaoyang District (modern business area)
Recommended Hotels:
- Luxury: Beijing Qianmen Mandarin Oriental Hotel – Traditional courtyard-style luxury in the heart of Beijing
- Mid-range: Beijing Qianmen Wanda Yihua Hotel – Modern comfort with excellent location
- Budget-friendly: Local boutique hotels in Hutong areas
Afternoon: Orientation Walk
- Wangfujing Street – Beijing’s premier shopping district
- Donghuamen Night Market – Sample local street food
- St. Joseph’s Cathedral – Beautiful Gothic architecture
Evening: Welcome Dinner
- Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant – Experience authentic Peking Duck
- Evening stroll: Tiananmen Square area (illuminated at night)
Day 2: The Great Wall Adventure
Conquer One of the World’s Greatest Wonders
Early Morning Departure (7:00 AM)
- Transportation: Direct bus from Qianmen or Beitucheng (¥65-80 one way)
- Alternative: Private tour or taxi (¥300-500 round trip)
Badaling Great Wall Experience
- Opening Hours: 6:30 AM – 4:30 PM (April-October)
- Tickets: Adult ¥40, Student ¥20
- Cable Car: Optional ¥100-140 (recommended for easier access)
Hiking Recommendations:
- Beginner Route: North 1-3 Towers (1-2 hours)
- Intermediate: North 1-7 Towers (2-3 hours)
- Advanced: Full North Section (3-4 hours)
Photography Tips
- Best shots: North Seven Tower for panoramic views
- Golden hour: Early morning (8-9 AM) for fewer crowds
- Equipment: Wide-angle lens, comfortable walking shoes
Afternoon Return
- Lunch: Local restaurant near Great Wall
- Return to Beijing: 3:00-4:00 PM
- Evening: Rest and explore nearby Hutongs
Day 3: Imperial Majesty
Step into China’s Royal Past
Morning: Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
- Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (April-October)
- Tickets: ¥60 (April-October), ¥40 (November-March)
- Duration: 3-4 hours minimum
- Audio Guide: Highly recommended (¥40)
Must-See Highlights:
- Meridian Gate – Grand entrance
- Hall of Supreme Harmony – Largest wooden structure
- Imperial Garden – Traditional Chinese landscaping
- Treasure Gallery – Priceless artifacts
Afternoon: Jingshan Park
- Tickets: ¥2
- Highlight: Panoramic view of Forbidden City from Wanshou Pavilion
- Duration: 1 hour
Late Afternoon: Temple of Heaven
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Tickets: ¥15 (park), ¥35 (including buildings)
- Highlights: Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Echo Wall
Evening: Traditional Performance
- Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theatre
- Acrobatic Show at Chaoyang Theatre
Day 4: Royal Gardens & Olympic Legacy
From Imperial Splendor to Modern Achievement
Morning: Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)
- Opening Hours: 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tickets: ¥30 (April-October), ¥20 (November-March)
- Duration: 3-4 hours
Key Attractions:
- Longevity Hill – Climb for panoramic lake views
- Long Corridor – 728-meter covered walkway with 14,000 paintings
- Kunming Lake – Boat rides available (¥30-50)
- Seventeen-Arch Bridge – Iconic stone bridge
Lunch: Traditional Imperial Cuisine
- Fangshan Restaurant – Recreated Qing Dynasty recipes
Afternoon: Olympic Park
- Bird’s Nest Stadium – 2008 Olympics venue
- Water Cube – Now Beijing Aquatics Center
- Olympic Forest Park – Green space for relaxation
Evening: Modern Beijing
- Sanlitun Area – International dining and nightlife
- CCTV Tower – City skyline views
Day 5: Cultural Immersion
Discover Beijing’s Living Heritage
Morning: Lama Temple (Yonghe Gong)
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Tickets: ¥25
- Highlight: 18-meter tall Buddha statue carved from single sandalwood tree
Mid-Morning: Hutong Exploration
- Nanluoguxiang – Historic alley with shops and cafes
- Shichahai Area – Traditional courtyard houses
- Rickshaw tour – ¥100-150 per person
Afternoon: National Museum of China
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed Mondays)
- Admission: Free (passport required)
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Highlights: Ancient Chinese Bronze Gallery, Road to Rejuvenation
Late Afternoon: Beihai Park
- Tickets: ¥10
- Highlight: White Pagoda and traditional gardens
Evening: Donghuamen Night Market
- Local street food: Scorpions, starfish, traditional snacks
- Cultural experience: Interact with local vendors
Day 6: Art & Shopping
Modern Culture and Retail Therapy
Morning: 798 Art District
- Location: Dashanzi area, Chaoyang District
- Highlights: Contemporary art galleries, creative spaces
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Cafes: International coffee culture
Afternoon: Shopping Districts
Silk Market
- Bargaining essential: Start at 10-20% of asking price
- Products: Silk, cashmere, electronics, souvenirs
Pearl Market (Hongqiao)
- Specialties: Pearls, jewelry, traditional crafts
Wangfujing Street
- Department stores: APM, Oriental Plaza
- Bookstore: Wangfujing Xinhua Bookstore
Evening: Farewell Dinner
- Dadong Roast Duck – Modern interpretation of Peking Duck
- Hot Pot Experience – Haidilao for exceptional service
Day 7: Departure Day
Final Memories
Morning: Temple of Heaven Park
- Early morning visit: Watch locals practicing Tai Chi
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Peaceful atmosphere: Perfect for reflection
Last-Minute Shopping
- Beijing Capital Airport: Duty-free shopping
- Souvenirs: Tea, silk scarves, traditional crafts
Departure
- Airport Express: Allow 1 hour travel time to airport
- Check-in: International flights require 3 hours advance arrival
Essential Travel Information
Transportation
- Beijing Subway: ¥3-9 per ride, extensive network
- Taxis: Meter starts at ¥13, ensure driver uses meter
- Didi App: Chinese Uber equivalent
- Public Buses: ¥2-3, can be confusing for tourists
Cultural Etiquette
- Greetings: Slight bow or handshake
- Tipping: Not expected in restaurants, optional for exceptional service
- Photography: Ask permission before photographing people
- Temples: Dress modestly, remove hats
Language Tips
Essential Phrases:
- Hello: 你好 (Nǐ hǎo)
- Thank you: 谢谢 (Xiè xiè)
- Excuse me: 不好意思 (Bù hǎo yì si)
- How much?: 多少钱? (Duō shǎo qián?)
- Where is…?: …在哪里? (…zài nǎ lǐ?)
Money Matters
- Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY/RMB)
- ATMs: Widely available, international cards accepted
- Mobile Payment: WeChat Pay, Alipay (requires Chinese bank account)
- Cash: Still necessary for small vendors and taxis
Weather & Clothing
- Spring (March-May): Mild, layers recommended
- Summer (June-August): Hot and humid, light clothing
- Autumn (September-November): Best weather, comfortable temperatures
- Winter (December-February): Cold and dry, warm clothing essential
Health & Safety
- Air Quality: Check AQI daily, consider face masks
- Water: Drink bottled water
- Medical: International hospitals available in major districts
- Emergency Numbers: Police 110, Medical 120, Fire 119
Food Recommendations
Must-Try Dishes:
- Peking Duck – Quanjude, Dadong
- Jianbing – Street breakfast crepe
- Zhajiangmian – Beijing-style noodles
- Mongolian Hot Pot – Donglaishun
- Tanghulu – Candied fruit skewers
Dietary Restrictions:
- Vegetarian: Buddhist restaurants available
- Halal: Niujie (Ox Street) Muslim quarter
- International: Sanlitun, Chaoyang areas
Budget Planning
Daily Budget Estimates (per person)
Budget Traveler (¥200-400/day)
- Hostel accommodation: ¥80-150
- Local food: ¥50-100
- Public transportation: ¥20-30
- Attractions: ¥50-120
Mid-Range Traveler (¥500-1000/day)
- 3-4 star hotel: ¥300-500
- Restaurant meals: ¥150-300
- Taxis/private transport: ¥100-200
- Attractions + guides: ¥100-200
Luxury Traveler (¥1500+/day)
- 5-star hotel: ¥800-2000+
- Fine dining: ¥400-800
- Private car/guide: ¥500-1000
- Premium experiences: ¥300-500
Booking & Reservations
Advance Booking Required:
- Forbidden City: Book 7 days in advance online
- Great Wall tours: Book 1-2 days ahead
- High-end restaurants: Reserve dinner tables
- Beijing Opera: Popular shows sell out quickly
Useful Apps:
- Translation: Google Translate (download offline Chinese)
- Maps: Baidu Maps (more accurate than Google in China)
- Weather: Local weather apps
- VPN: Consider for accessing blocked websites
Final Tips for Success
- Carry passport always – Required for hotel check-ins and some attractions
- Download offline maps – Internet restrictions may affect Google services
- Learn chopstick basics – Enhances dining experience
- Respect local customs – Especially in temples and traditional areas
- Stay hydrated – Beijing air can be dry
- Bargain respectfully – At markets, not in established stores
- Try local transportation – Subway is efficient and affordable
- Be patient – Crowds are common at popular attractions
- Carry cash – Not all places accept foreign cards
- Embrace the experience – Beijing offers incredible cultural immersion
This comprehensive 7-day Beijing itinerary provides international visitors with an authentic taste of China’s capital, balancing must-see historical sites with cultural experiences and modern attractions. The journey from the ancient Great Wall to contemporary art districts offers a complete picture of Beijing’s evolution from imperial capital to modern metropolis.
Safe travels and enjoy your Beijing adventure! 🏮
