Itinerary Beijing

April is one of the best months to visit Beijing: mild spring weather, low pollution, blooming parks, and fewer crowds at top sites. Perfect for cultural and historical exploration!

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	1600 USD
🏨 Accommodations	800 USD
🧳 Gear	100 USD
🗺️ On-site	800 USD
Total	3300 USD

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇨🇳 Beijing - 5 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏯 The Forbidden City (Palace Museum) ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Imperial architecture, ancient treasures — book online in advance, closed Mondays.

• [ ] 🏛️ Tiananmen Square ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • World's largest public square, history central — bring passport for security checks.

• [ ] 🌳 Jingshan Park ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Panoramic views of the Forbidden City, historic royal gardens — best at sunset.

• [ ] 🎨 National Museum of China ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Extensive collections tracing Chinese civilization — free but requires advance booking.

• [ ] 🏙️ Qianmen & Dashilan Neighbourhoods ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Lively pedestrian area, old shops, local snacks — great for wandering.

• [ ] 🏯 The Temple of Heaven ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Iconic Ming temple, early-morning Tai Chi — go early for fewer crowds.

• [ ] 🏙️ 798 Art Zone ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Trendy galleries, street art, industrial chic — mix of contemporary culture.

• [ ] 🏯 Lama Temple (Yonghe Gong) ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Colourful Tibetan Buddhist temple — incense-filled, serene.

• [ ] 🌳 Summer Palace ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Lakes, bridges, gardens — classic imperial retreat. Ferry across Kunming Lake.

• [ ] 🏯 Confucius Temple & Imperial College ⭐ (~1h)

  • Tranquil, less-visited gem — insight into classical scholarship.

• [ ] 🏛️ Capital Museum ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Modern presentation of Beijing’s long history.

• [ ] 🏯 Ming Tombs ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Resting place of emperors, impressive Sacred Way.

• [ ] 🛕 Great Wall at Mutianyu ⭐⭐⭐ (~5h, half-day trip)

  • Best-preserved, less crowded, scenic — private taxi or tour for comfort.

• [ ] 🏙️ Old Hutongs: Nanluoguxiang & Yandaixiejie ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Traditional alleys, boutiques, hidden courtyards — do a rickshaw tour.

• [ ] 🎨 Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall ⭐ (~1h)

  • Discover Beijing's city evolution — huge city model.

• [ ] 🌳 Beihai Park ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Picturesque lake, white pagoda — paddle boating option.

• [ ] 🏛️ Prince Gong’s Mansion ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Ornate residence, lovely gardens — best of Qing dynasty mansions.

• [ ] 🏙️ Wangfujing Street ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Famous shopping street and food night market — taste insects if you dare!

• [ ] 🌳 Zhongshan Park ⭐ (~1h)

  • Peaceful garden beside Forbidden City, escape the crowds.

• [ ] 🏯 Fayuan Temple ⭐ (~45min)

  • Oldest Buddhist temple, beautiful ginkgo trees in spring.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🎭 Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theatre ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Traditional costumes, classic stories — English subtitles available.

• [ ] 🍸 Jing-A Taproom (Sanlitun) ⭐ (~2h)

  • Craft beer in Beijing’s nightlife district — relaxed expat vibe.

• [ ] 🍜 Ghost Street (Gui Jie) ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Famous for 24hr restaurants and spicy food — best for late-night dining.

• [ ] 🎪 Chaoyang Acrobatics Show ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Amazing stunts — perfect blend of culture and modern performance.

• [ ] 🌙 Houhai Lakes (evening stroll & bars) ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Scenic lakeside, live music bars and teahouses.

• [ ] 🎶 National Centre for the Performing Arts ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Striking modern venue, opera/concerts — check schedule.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🦆 Quanjude Roast Duck ⭐⭐⭐

  • World-famous Peking Duck, tableside carving — from 300 CNY/plate.

• [ ] 🍲 Donghuamen Night Market ⭐⭐

  • Varied street eats — scorpions to dumplings, low prices.

• [ ] 🥟 Mr. Shi’s Dumplings ⭐⭐

  • Local favourite for hand-made dumplings — try fried beef.

• [ ] 🍜 Noodle Loft ⭐

  • Fresh-pulled noodles, casual vibe — from 50 CNY.

• [ ] 🥩 Na Jia Xiao Guan ⭐⭐

  • Imperial Manchu cuisine in a courtyard setting.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Olympic Park (Bird's Nest & Water Cube) (~1h)

  • Modern Beijing icons — lively at night, optional for architecture fans.

• [ ] 🎨 Red Brick Art Museum (~1.5h, outskirt trip)

  • Contemporary exhibitions in tranquil setting.

• [ ] 🌳 Fragrant Hills Park (~2h, west suburbs)

  • Lush hiking spot if weather is good.

🎬 Films & series to watch

🇨🇳 Beijing

• [ ] 🎬 The Last Emperor (1987) — ⭐ 7.7 — Oscar-winning epic about the Forbidden City — Amazon
• [ ] 🎬 Farewell My Concubine (1993) — ⭐ 8.1 — Masterpiece delving into Beijing opera, 20th-century history — Netflix
• [ ] 🎬 To Live (1994) — ⭐ 8.3 — A family’s journey through turbulent decades — YouTube
• [ ] 📺 Story of Yanxi Palace (2018) — ⭐ 8.3 — Lavish Qing dynasty drama — iQIYI
• [ ] 📺 Beijing Love Story (2012) — ⭐ 7.6 — Intertwined relationships in modern Beijing — Viki

🍜 Local specialties

🇨🇳 Beijing

• [ ] Peking Duck (Beijing Kaoya)
• [ ] Zhajiangmian (Soybean paste noodles)
• [ ] Mongolian Hot Pot
• [ ] Lamb Skewers (Yangrou Chuan)
• [ ] Donkey Burger (Lvrou Huoshao)
• [ ] Douzhi (Fermented mung bean milk)
• [ ] Candied Hawthorn (Bingtanghulu)

📍 Maps - places to pin

🇨🇳 Beijing

1. 🏯 The Forbidden City
2. 🎭 Liyuan Theatre
3. 🛍️ Wangfujing Street
4. 🏨 Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing
5. 🍽️ Quanjude Roast Duck

✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Beijing
• [ ] ✈️ Beijing → London

🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Beijing	5	Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing (4*)	800 USD
Total	5 nights		800 USD