Beijing is the ancient heart of China and its bold, modern capital—home to emperors, Olympic stadiums, and food traditions that date back centuries. From hutong alleyways perfumed with sesame and scallion to palatial parks where locals practice tai chi at dawn, the city rewards curiosity at every turn.

Highlights are legendary: the Forbidden City’s vermilion halls, the Great Wall winding over green hills, the tranquil Summer Palace, and the echoing Temple of Heaven. Just as vital is what you’ll taste—hand-pulled noodles, jewel-colored dumplings, blistered skewers, and the crisp lacquered skin of Peking duck.

Practical notes: the Forbidden City is closed on Mondays; carry your passport for ticket checks and train rides. Subways are fast and stroller-friendly, and cashless payment is common—though cards and cash still work at many places. Spring and fall are mild; in winter, warm up with hot pot.

Beijing

Old imperial grandeur meets creative energy here. Explore lakeside hutongs by pedal boat, weave through lively food alleys, and cap days with acrobats or sunset views from Jingshan Park. This 4-day plan keeps walks reasonable, includes kid-pleasers, and highlights Beijing’s essential eats.

• Top sights: Forbidden City, Great Wall (Mutianyu), Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Jingshan Park, 798 Art District, Houhai Lakes.
• Family wins: Mutianyu’s cable car up and toboggan down, pedal boats on Houhai, spacious parks, acrobatic show.
• Where to stay: Wangfujing/Forbidden City area (classic sights), Nanluoguxiang/Houhai (hutong charm), Sanlitun/Chaoyang (modern dining, malls).
• Budget feel: Mid-range with a few special-occasion meals; plenty of affordable dumpling, noodle, and snack stops.

Stay here: Compare family-friendly hotels and apartments on Hotels.com (Beijing) and VRBO (Beijing). Look for family rooms near Wangfujing (walkable to the Forbidden City) or courtyard homes in the hutongs for atmosphere.

Getting in and around: Book flights on Trip.com. From PEK (Capital), the Airport Express to Dongzhimen takes ~30 minutes (about $4–$5); taxis to central Beijing run ~$20–$30. From PKX (Daxing), the express line to Caoqiao is ~35 minutes; taxis ~$25–$40. For intercity trains within China, use Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Houhai Lakes & Peking Duck + Acrobats

Morning: Fly into Beijing. If you arrive early, drop bags and grab a restorative coffee at Metal Hands Coffee near Nanluoguxiang—light pastries and mellow beans suit jet-lagged families. Sweet snack idea: pop into Daoxiangcun (founded 1895) for sesame shortbread and hawthorn cakes—perfect pocket fuel.

Afternoon: Ease into Beijing with a stroll around the Shichahai/Houhai Lakes. Rent a pedal boat, listen for erhu music on the shore, and duck into nearby hutong lanes. For a casual late lunch, try Mr. Shi’s Dumplings (pan-fried or boiled, customizable fillings) or Xian Lao Man (classic northern dumplings and zhajiangmian noodles). Both are kid-approved, inexpensive, and close to the lakes.

Evening: Celebrate night one with Peking duck. Book Siji Minfu (multiple branches near Qianmen/Wangfujing) for crisp skin carved tableside; add mung-bean jelly and stir-fried river shrimp for variety. Dessert idea: a warm sesame tangyuan or a milk tea at Heytea. Then catch world-class acrobats at Chaoyang Theatre—high-flying, gasp-worthy, and ideal for kids.

Chaoyang Theatre Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets (Viator)

Day 2: Tiananmen, Forbidden City & Hutong Food Tour

Morning: Classic Beijing breakfast at Huguosi Xiaochi (Huguosi Snack Street): try jianbing crepes, shaobing sesame flatbreads, and soy milk. Then head to Tiananmen Square and enter the Forbidden City via Meridian Gate. To dig into stories behind the halls and thrones—and skip guesswork—join this focused small-group tour:

4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets (Viator)

Tip: The Forbidden City is closed Mondays. End with a short climb up Jingshan Park for a postcard panorama over the palace roofs.

Afternoon: Taste Beijing’s backstreets with a hutong walking food tour—hidden, family-run eateries you’d never find alone. Kids can opt for soft drinks while adults sample a local beer flight.

Beijing Hutong Walking Food and Beer Tour at Hidden Restaurants (Viator)

Typical bites include zhajiangmian (hand-pulled noodles with soybean paste), baozi buns, cumin-dusted lamb skewers, and jianbing. It’s filling enough to double as lunch.

Evening: If you still have room, head to Baoyuan Dumplings for colorful, vegetable-dyed wrappers and juicy fillings—fun for kids to pick by color. A gentler option is Din Tai Fung (xiao long bao and greens) if you’re craving lighter fare. Finish with a lakeside stroll at Houhai or a tea stop at a quiet hutong teahouse.

Day 3: Great Wall at Mutianyu (Cable Car Up, Toboggan Down) + Hot Pot Night

Morning: Grab an easy breakfast-to-go at Wagas (yogurt bowls, sandwiches) and head out to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall—less crowded and great for families. This private half-day option includes an English-speaking guide, cableway up, and the crowd-pleasing toboggan ride down:

Private Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall Lift Way Up & Toboggan Down (Viator)

Expect ~1.5 hours each way by car, plus two hours on the Wall. The cable car saves little legs; the toboggan brings big smiles.

Afternoon: Refuel near the Wall at Xiaolongpu Restaurant (rustic, family-run; try scrambled eggs with tomatoes, dumplings, and stir-fried greens). Back in the city, take a rest or let kids play in a neighborhood park.

Evening: Make dinner an event with Haidilao Hot Pot—ultra-family-friendly, attentive service, toy kits for kids, and customizable broths from mild tomato to numbing Sichuan. If you prefer noodles and dairy treats, Xibei Youmian Village serves buttery “youmian” oat noodles, lamb kebabs, and house yogurt that kids love.

Day 4: Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace & Creative Beijing

Morning: Start early at the Temple of Heaven Park. Watch locals practice tai chi and shuttlecock, then tour the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (a geometry lesson in wood and color). Breakfast nearby at Qing Feng Baozi—steamed buns with pork or veggie fillings plus warm soy milk—simple, fast, and inexpensive.

Afternoon: Head to the Summer Palace for lakeside palaces, long painted corridors, and (seasonally) a boat ride on Kunming Lake. For lunch, book Bai Jia Da Yuan (a garden restaurant with Qing-dynasty courtyards; order pineapple sweet-and-sour pork, imperial-style mixed vegetables, and crystal shrimp) or go Manchu-style at Najia Xiaoguan (braised sea cucumber for the adventurous, or honey-sweet corn cakes for kids).

Evening: Wrap up in either 798 Art District (murals, galleries, cafés) or Sanlitun for an easy dinner. Try Hulu by TRB (comforting salads, pastas, Asian plates; kids’ options and great desserts) or—if you want a plant-forward splurge—King’s Joy near Lama Temple (creative vegetarian tasting menus; advance booking). For a local toast, Jing-A Taproom pours Beijing craft beer alongside burgers and bao—casual and family-welcoming.

Optional All-in-One Day (If You Prefer a Guided Combo)

Prefer one guided day that strings together the big-ticket sights with transport covered? Consider this efficient all-inclusive:

All-Inclusive Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall (Viator)

Where to Eat in Beijing: Quick Hit List by Meal

• Breakfast/coffee: Huguosi Xiaochi (traditional snacks), Metal Hands Coffee (specialty coffee), Wagas (grab-and-go), % Arabica or Manner Coffee (easy finds citywide).
• Lunch: Mr. Shi’s Dumplings (casual), Xian Lao Man (dumplings/noodles), Xibei Youmian Village (northwestern comfort), Najia Xiaoguan (Manchu classics).
• Dinner: Siji Minfu (Peking duck), Haidilao (hot pot, kid-friendly), Bai Jia Da Yuan (courtyard dining), Din Tai Fung (soups and greens), Hulu by TRB (modern bistro).
• Snacks/desserts: Daoxiangcun (old-school pastries), tanghulu hawthorn skewers (street vendors), Heytea or Nayuki (fruit/cheese teas), neighborhood yogurt stalls (suannai in clay jars).

Practical Tips

• Tickets: The Forbidden City uses real-name, timed tickets—bring passports. Closed Mondays; shuffle Day 2 if needed.
• Great Wall: Mutianyu cable car saves energy; toboggan has height limits for kids—staff will advise. Pack layers and sun protection.
• Getting around: The subway is efficient and stroller-friendly. Taxis are plentiful; have your destination written in Chinese.
• Budgeting: Expect $5–$8 for breakfast for two, $20–$35 for a family lunch at dumpling/noodle spots, $40–$70 for dinner at mid-range restaurants; Peking duck meals and Bai Jia Da Yuan run higher.

Activity alternatives (family favorites): If you’ve got extra energy one evening, catch an early show or book a next-morning slot for the Forbidden City with prebooked tickets via the options above. If crowds are heavy, Jingshan Park and Beihai Park offer serene escapes with tea pavilions and paddle boats.

Book your flights on Trip.com, trains on Trip.com Trains, and compare stays on Hotels.com or VRBO.

Summary: Four days in Beijing lets you climb the Great Wall, walk imperial corridors, and eat like a local—from colorful dumplings to sizzling skewers. With kid-friendly pacing and memorable meals, you’ll leave full of stories and ready to come back for seconds.