Best Things to Do in Beijing: Must-Visit Places for First-Time Travelers

Beijing is the capital of China and one of the world’s oldest cities. The imperial palaces, temples, and ancient walls exist alongside busy streets, shopping areas, and modern neighborhoods. The things to do in Beijing range from historic landmarks to everyday local life, giving you a clear view of how the city has changed over time.

This guide explores the top things to do in Beijing, China, offering insights into the culture, food, and hidden corners of this 3,000-year-old metropolis. It highlights the must-see experiences in Beijing, whether you’re planning a visit today or for the future.

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1. The Great Wall of China (Mutianyu)

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The Great Wall of China remains the most important landmark to visit near the city. Among the sections open to visitors, Mutianyu Great Wall stands out for clear paths, restored towers, and wide mountain views. Located about 70 kilometers from the city, this area includes 22 watchtowers and shows the wall running across forested ridges. 

More remote sections like Jinshanling Great Wall and Jiankou Great Wall attract hikers who prefer steep climbs and unrestored stonework. These areas feel rough and less crowded but require more effort and planning. Mutianyu remains one of the fun things to do in Beijing due to its toboggan ride, which allows visitors to slide down the mountain after walking the wall.

• Google Rating: 4.8/5
• Location: Mutianyu Road, Huairou District, Beijing, China
• Timings: Daily 7:30 AM–5:30 PM
• Price: 45 CNY/ INR 586 for adults; Set aside 5 to 6 hours for the full experience, including transit

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2. The Forbidden City (The Palace Museum)

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The Forbidden City served as the center of Chinese power for nearly 500 years. The complex covers a vast area and includes hundreds of halls, courtyards, and gates built for imperial use only. A visit here stands at the top of the things to do in Beijing, China, for anyone interested in history.

You enter through the Meridian Gate, following the same path once used by emperors and court officials. The route leads to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where the Dragon Throne sits at the heart of the palace. The details across the site tell the real story, from yellow roof tiles reserved for royalty to stone ramps carved with dragons. 

• Google Rating: 4.6/5
• Location: 4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
• Timings: 8:30 AM–4:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
• Price: 60 CNY/ INR 782 for adults (Peak Season) and 40 CNY/ INR 521 (Off-Season); Set aside at least 4 hours to navigate the vast grounds

3. The Temple of Heaven (Tiantan)

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The Temple of Heaven played a special role during imperial times, when emperors came here to pray for good harvests. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests stands at the center of the complex and was built using wooden joints without nails. Its round shape and layered roof make it one of the most recognizable structures in the city.

The large public park around the temple draws locals every day, especially in the early morning. The retirees gather to dance, practice tai chi and sword routines, or play jianzi with friends. This area remains a strong part of the must see places in Beijing for visitors who want more than monuments alone.

• Google Rating: 4.6/5
• Location: 1 Tiantan E Rd, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
• Timings: Daily 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Temple buildings typically open 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
• Price: 35 CNY/ INR 456 (Through-ticket); Set aside 2.5 hours to explore the temples and the surrounding park

4. The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)

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The Summer Palace shows how Chinese rulers shaped nature for rest and leisure. The grounds spread around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, an area closely linked to Empress Dowager Cixi. One highlight is the Long Corridor, a covered walkway more than 700 meters long, painted with thousands of scenes from Chinese stories and daily life.

The seasonal changes shape the visit here. Summer months allow pedal boats on the lake, while winter often turns the water into a frozen open space. This location fits well among the things to do in Beijing today for tourists who want history without crowds and time outdoors without rushing.

• Google Rating: 4.6/5
• Location: Haidian District, Beijing, China
• Timings: Daily 6:00 AM–7:00 PM
• Price: 60 CNY/ INR 782 (Through-ticket); Set aside 4 hours to explore the vast lakeside paths and hill-top temples

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5. Tiananmen Square

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Tiananmen Square is the world’s largest public square and an important political site. In the center, you’ll see the Great Hall of the People on one side and the National Museum of China on the other.

A visit to the National Museum counts among the best cultural things to do in Beijing. Inside, exhibits include the Houmuwu Ding, the heaviest ancient bronze object ever found, along with jade burial suits from the Han Dynasty. 

• Google Rating: 4.4/5 
• Location:China, Beijing, Dongcheng
• Timings: Daily 4:00 AM–10:00 PM
• Price: Free entry; Set aside 2 to 3 hours for a visit

6. The Ancient Hutongs & Shichahai Lakes

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To see the real old Beijing, you should walk through the Hutongs. These are narrow alleys lined with siheyuan, the traditional courtyard houses. The areas around Nanluoguxiang and Houhai are the most popular, where traditional life meets modern shops and bars.

Many visitors choose a rickshaw ride, which remains popular among the classic things to do in Beijing for tourists. A walk through the lanes gives you more time to notice details like door studs and stone drums that once showed family status.

• Google Rating: N/A
• Location: Xicheng District, Beijing
• Timings: Alleys are open 24/7
• Price: Free to walk; Set aside about 3 hours for exploring

7. 798 Art District (Dashanzi)

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798 Art District began as a group of military factories built during the East German period and now serves as a major center for modern art. The old industrial buildings hold galleries, design shops, bookstores, and cafés with a raw, unfinished look. 

This is one of the most fun spots in Beijing for photographers and trendsetters. You’ll find everything from huge socialist-realist statues to modern digital installations, creating a striking contrast with the imperial red of the Forbidden City.

• Google Rating: N/A
• Location: Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
• Timings: The district is accessible 24/7
• Price: Free entry to the district; Set aside 2 to 3 hours for a visit

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8. The Lama Temple (Yonghe Palace)

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Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple) holds a special place as the most important Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. The site began as a prince’s residence before becoming a working monastery in 1744.

The main highlight appears inside the Wanfuge Pavilion, where a towering Maitreya Buddha stands carved from a single white sandalwood tree. The statue rises about 18 meters above the floor and holds a Guinness World Record. 

• Google Rating: 4.7/5
• Location: 12 Yonghegong St, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
• Timings: Daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
• Price: 25 CNY/ INR 325; Set aside 1.5 to 2 hours to explore the five main halls and courtyards

9. Jingshan Park 

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Jingshan Park offers one of the best views in the city. The park lies directly north of the Forbidden City and rises from a man-made hill built using soil from the palace moats.

You can reach the top by a short climb to the Pavilion of Everlasting Spring. From this point, the view opens in all directions. The golden roofs of the Forbidden City stretch south, while the Drum and Bell Towers appear to the north. The sunset hours make this spot a memorable thing to do in Beijing today for soft light.

• Google Rating: 4.6/5
• Location: 44 Jingshan W St, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
• Timings: Daily 6:30 AM–9:00 PM
• Price: 2 CNY/ INR 26; Set aside about 1 hour for the walk and taking in the views

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10. The Olympic Park (Bird’s Nest & Water Cube)

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Beijing is the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics. The National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) and the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) are masterpieces of modern architecture.

The park is best visited in the evening when the Bird’s Nest glows red and the Water Cube shimmers in blue LED lights. It is a favorite for fun things to do in Beijing for families, as the area is spacious and features frequent light shows.

• Google Rating: 4.6/5
• Location: X9VV+PF8, Chaoyang, China, 100875
• Timings: TDaily 6:00 AM–9:30 PM
• Price: Free to walk; Set aside 1.5 hours to enjoy the architecture and evening lights

11. Wangfujing & Donghuamen Night Market

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Wangfujing works as Beijing’s main shopping street and stays busy throughout the day and evening. The wide pedestrian lanes hold large malls, brand stores, and the well-known Wangfujing Bookstore. 

The Wangfujing Snack Street and the nearby Donghuamen Night Market are known for street food that ranges from familiar to unusual. Some stalls sell scorpions and silk worm cocoons for visitors who want novelty, while locals usually choose tanghulu and chou doufu.

• Google Rating: 4.5/5
• Location: Dongcheng, Beijing, China
• Timings: The pedestrian street is open 24/7
• Price: Free to walk; Set aside 2 hours for strolling and snacking

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12. The Beijing Zoo & Panda House

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No trip to China is complete without seeing the Giant Pandas. The Beijing Zoo has a special Panda House where these national treasures spend their days eating bamboo. While the zoo is historic, dating back to the Qing Dynasty, the Panda House is the main attraction for visitors.

• Google Rating: 3.8/5
• Location: 137 Xizhimen Outer St, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
• Timings: Open daily 07:30 to 19:00 (April-October) and 07:30 to 18:00 (November-March)
• Price: 19 CNY/ INR 247 (Combo ticket including Panda House); Set aside about 2 hours for the pandas

FAQs

What are the best things to do in Beijing for first-time visitors?

First-time travelers must visit the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and Jingshan Park. A full day at the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall should be high on your list. In the evening, a Hutong rickshaw tour and a Peking Duck dinner let you experience both old and modern Beijing.

What shouldn’t you miss in Beijing?

You shouldn’t miss the Temple of Heaven at sunrise to see local life, or the Lama Temple with its giant Buddha. For modern architecture, the CCTV Headquarters, also known as The Big Underpants, and the Bird’s Nest are must-see places in Beijing.

What are the best things to do in Beijing during the day?

The Summer Palace and the Great Wall are best visited early in the day. On rainy days, the National Museum of China and the 798 Art District offer hours of indoor discovery. Panda lovers will enjoy a morning at Beijing Zoo watching these gentle animals.

What are the best things to do in Beijing at night?

Beijing at night offers the Kung Fu Show at the Red Theatre and the Beijing Opera at the Liyuan Theatre. For a more relaxed evening, take a boat ride on Houhai Lake or enjoy the neon-lit shopping and dining in Sanlitun.

What are the most kid-friendly activities in Beijing?

The toboggan slide at the Great Wall turns a historic site into an adventure for children. The China Science and Technology Museum features hands-on exhibits that keep children engaged for hours. The Happy Valley Amusement Park offers rides and attractions for a full day of family fun.

What are the best cultural things to do in Beijing?

You can enjoy deep cultural experiences by taking a dumpling-making class in a Hutong home, watching Tai Chi in the parks, or attending a traditional tea ceremony in the Maliandao tea district. A visit to the Confucius Temple offers a calm, scholarly view of Chinese history.

What are the top food experiences in Beijing?

Peking Roasted Duck is the dish most visitors come here to try. Old Beijing Hot Pot, served in traditional copper pots, warms you on cooler evenings. Jianbing, a savory breakfast crepe from a street stall, is how many locals start their day.

What are the best shopping areas in Beijing?

For luxury shopping, visit SKP or China World Mall. If you’re looking for deals or souvenirs, the Silk Market (Xiushui) and Pearl Market (Hongqiao) are popular, but bargaining is expected. For unique gifts, check out the 798 Art District and Nanluoguxiang for handmade and artisanal items.

What’s the best time of year to visit Beijing for sightseeing?

September and October bring cool temperatures, clear blue skies, and stunning autumn colors across the city. These months are ideal for outdoor things to do in Beijing, from Great Wall hikes to park strolls. Spring in April and May is also pleasant, though occasional sandstorms can affect air quality.