Beijing is huge, and its headline sights are spread across a city of wide avenues and long distances. The good news is that they fall into a few clear clusters: the imperial core, with Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park on one north-south line; the hutongs and lakes to the north, around the Drum Tower, Houhai and the Lama Temple; the Temple of Heaven in the south; the Summer Palace in the northwest; and, an hour or more beyond the city, the Great Wall. The biggest difference from other capitals is that almost every major sight now works by advance, real-name reservation, so a little planning goes a long way.
How many days
Three full days is the minimum: one for Tiananmen and the Forbidden City, one for the Great Wall, and one for the Temple of Heaven and the hutongs. Four or five days is better, adding the Summer Palace, the Lama Temple and a slower food evening. With only a day or two, the all-inclusive day tour covers Tiananmen, the Forbidden City and the Wall at Mutianyu in one long day.
The reservation system
Most major sights in Beijing sell tickets in advance only, on a real-name basis tied to your passport. The Forbidden City opens tickets up to seven days ahead, released at 20:00 Beijing time, and popular days sell out fast; you enter your passport details when booking and show the same passport at the gate. Tiananmen Square is free but needs its own reservation one to seven days ahead, with new dates released daily at noon, and the dawn flag-raising needs a separate booking. The Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace take bookings one to seven days ahead through their official WeChat accounts. If WeChat is new to you, the simplest route is to book tours or tickets through a partner that handles the reservation for you, as every link on this site does. Always carry your passport: you need it at the gates, on the Great Wall and on many tours.
The closing days that catch people out
The Forbidden City is closed every Monday except on public holidays. Since 1 September 2026, the main halls of the Temple of Heaven, including the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, are closed on Mondays too, although the park stays open. In the low season from November to March, the separately ticketed spots inside the Summer Palace are also closed on Mondays. The Confucius Temple near the Lama Temple closes on Mondays. So make Monday your Great Wall day.
What to book first
Lock in the Forbidden City as soon as your dates are firm, either directly or with a guided tour that includes the entry ticket. Then book the Great Wall: the MuBus day trip to Mutianyu is the best-value option, and the small-group Jinshanling hike suits keen walkers. The hutong food tour is very popular, so reserve it a few days ahead.
Getting around
The metro is fast, cheap and easy to use, with signs and announcements in English. Line 1 runs along Chang’an Avenue past Tiananmen; Line 2 circles the old city; Line 5 links the Lama Temple and the Temple of Heaven; Line 8 serves the Shichahai lakes and Tianqiao. Taxis and ride-hailing apps fill the gaps. Many places prefer mobile payment, so set up a payment app that accepts foreign cards before you arrive and carry some cash as a back-up.
Day one: the imperial core
Cross Tiananmen Square in the morning, enter the Forbidden City through the Meridian Gate, and finish by climbing Jingshan Park for the view over the roofs. Spend the evening on the hutong food tour.
Day two: the Great Wall
Take the MuBus to Mutianyu, or hike from Jinshanling if you are fit and the forecast is clear. Rest in the evening.
Day three: temples and lanes
Start early at the Temple of Heaven, then take the metro north to the Lama Temple, and finish with a walk through the hutongs around the Drum Tower and Houhai.
Practical tips
November is a good month to visit, with clear, cold days, fewer crowds and lower prices, but it gets properly cold by the end of the month, so pack warm layers, a hat and gloves for the Wall. Check the visa rules for your nationality before you travel, as entry and transit rules have changed several times recently. Avoid the Chinese national holidays if you can, when every sight is booked out.
