Beijing has been China’s political and cultural heart for 800 years, from the Yuan to the Ming and Qing dynasties, and now the capital of a modern powerhouse. Its palaces, gardens, and temples sit beside avant‑garde galleries and neon‑lit architecture. In one week, you can walk through the emperor’s throne room, hike a wild stretch of the Great Wall, and sip craft beer in a century-old alley.

Expect bold flavors: hand-pulled noodles, cumin‑scented lamb, delicate dumplings, and the city’s icon—crisp‑skinned Peking duck. Coffee culture is thriving in hutongs, while tea houses and night markets reveal everyday rhythms. Subways are clean and extensive; Alipay and WeChat Pay now accept many foreign cards, and taxis/Didi rides are easy.

Practical notes: The Forbidden City requires real-name ticketing and is closed on Mondays; carry your passport. Spring and autumn are ideal for walking; winters are bright and dry. Some Western apps are blocked—download an eSIM and any tools you need before arrival.

Beijing

Beijing is a study in scale: vast squares and imperial axes balanced by intimate lanes (hutongs) filled with steamy breakfast stalls and hidden courtyards. It’s a city that rewards early mornings and unhurried detours.

Top sights include the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and the Great Wall (Mutianyu for views, Jinshanling for drama). Modern icons—the “Bird’s Nest” stadium and the CCTV “Big Pants”—showcase the city’s contemporary edge.

• Stay: Boutique design in Sanlitun, classic luxury near Wangfujing, or budget-friendly Qianmen hostels—there’s a base for every style.
• Eat & drink: From time-honored duck roasters (Siji Minfu, Bianyifang) to craft brewers (Great Leap, Slow Boat) and celebrated vegetarian fine dining (King’s Joy).
• Move: Subways cover most sights; use the Airport Express for PEK/PKX. High-speed trains connect other Chinese cities if you’re continuing your trip.

Flights to Beijing: Compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Nonstops from LAX run ~12–13 hours; from Singapore ~6 hours; from Tokyo ~3 hours. Typical roundtrips range $550–$1,200 depending on season.

China trains: If arriving domestically (e.g., Shanghai–Beijing 4.5–6 h; Xi’an–Beijing 4.5–6 h), book via Trip.com Trains. 2nd class usually ~$70–$140 USD.

Where to book hotels: Browse central stays on Hotels.com or apartment-style options on VRBO.

• The Opposite House (Sanlitun): Minimalist design, pool, and standout dining near Taikoo Li. Reserve.
• The Peninsula Beijing (Wangfujing): All-suite grandeur, spa, and museum-close. Reserve.
• New World Beijing Hotel (Wangfujing/Qianmen): Rooftop terrace, indoor pool, great value. Reserve.
• Novotel Beijing Peace (Wangfujing): Dependable midrange near shopping streets. Reserve.
• 365 Inn Beijing (Qianmen): Friendly budget base with private rooms and dorms. Reserve or see reviews here.

Day 1: Arrival, First Views, and Qianmen Flavors

Morning: In transit. If arriving early at PEK or PKX, take the Airport Express/subway combo (~40–60 min to central Beijing) or a taxi/Didi (45–70 min depending on traffic).

Afternoon: Check in and shake off jet lag with a gentle climb up Jingshan Park. The hill, built from the Forbidden City’s moat excavations, gives a sweeping view over vermilion roofs—golden at sunset.

Evening: Stroll Qianmen–Dashilar’s lantern-lit lanes. For dinner, choose one: Bianyifang (since 1416) for traditional closed-oven roast duck; Siji Minfu (near Qianmen or Wangfujing) for crisp skin and bubbling duck soup; or Jing Yaa Tang (Sanlitun) for refined takes on Beijing classics. Nightcap at The Slow Boat Brewery Taproom (Sanlitun) for award-winning Monkey’s Fist IPA.

• Coffee/breakfast ideas (for tomorrow): Soloist Coffee Co. (Dashilar) for hand pours; Metal Hands (Wudaoying Hutong) for silky flat whites; Huguosi Snacks for old-Beijing breakfasts (shaobing, doujiang).

Day 2: Tiananmen, Forbidden City, and Old Hutongs

Morning: Be at Tiananmen Square before 8:30 a.m. for lighter crowds, then enter the Forbidden City via the Meridian Gate. Real-name, timed tickets are required; Mondays closed (except holidays). To simplify, prebook your entry here:

Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking (Optional: guide service)

Climb the Gate of Divine Prowess and continue to the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Imperial Garden; allow 2.5–3 hours end-to-end.

Afternoon: Walk 10 minutes to Jingshan for a new angle, then wander to Beihai Park’s lakes and the White Dagoba. Lunch options: QingFeng Baozi (fluffy buns stuffed with beef & green onion) or Mr. Shi’s Dumplings (pan-fried and boiled varieties with playful fillings).

Evening: Explore Nanluoguxiang’s side alleys rather than the main drag—look for small courtyards and indie boutiques. Dinner at Dali Courtyard (fixed-menu Yunnan dishes like mint salad and grilled lemongrass chicken) or Baoyuan Dumplings (multicolored wrappers with fillings from pork-celery to shrimp-chive). Drinks at Great Leap Brewing #6 (Doujiao Hutong) for the Honey Ma Gold ale kissed with Sichuan pepper.

Day 3: The Great Wall at Mutianyu (Views, Watchtowers, Toboggan)

Morning: Head to Mutianyu, the photogenic and less-crowded section of the Great Wall (1.5–2 hours from the center). A hassle-free way is this direct-bus option with VIP entry:

MuBus: Mutianyu Great Wall Tours with Options from Beijing

Ride the cable car up to Tower 14, hike toward the restored crenellations around Towers 20–22, and descend by the fun toboggan if you’re game.

Afternoon: Refuel at Xin Shuang Quan Farmer’s Restaurant near the wall (homestyle stir-fries, trout, and tomato-egg staples). Ride back to the city mid‑afternoon.

Evening: Celebrate with hotpot. Try Dong Lai Shun (hand-sliced Mongolian mutton in copper pots with sesame sauce) for a century-old institution, or Haidilao for service theatrics and a choice of broths. Dessert: sesame tangyuan or a simple street-roasted sweet potato in winter.

Day 4: Temple of Heaven Dawn, 798 Art District, Hutong Food Tour

Morning: Arrive early at the Temple of Heaven to watch tai chi, fan dances, and retirees playing erhu in the cypress groves. Visit the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a masterpiece of color and symmetry. Breakfast nearby: jianbing (egg-stuffed crepe) from a street cart or Huguosi Snacks for fried dough twists and soybean milk.

Afternoon: Taxi or subway to the 798 Art District. Pop into UCCA Center for Contemporary Art (major exhibitions), photographic spaces, and indie boutiques. Coffee at % Arabica (798) or Local Script for a pour-over; lunch at Tribe 798 (healthy bowls) or Caochangdi’s canteens for artists’ comfort food.

Evening: Join a small-group tasting through back alleys where locals actually eat:

Beijing Hutong Walking Food and Beer Tour at Hidden Restaurants

Expect skewers kissed with cumin, lamb buns, hand-pulled noodles, and a local craft pint. If you’d rather DIY: try Nalan (halal Beijing staples like beef noodle soup) and end with milk custard at a neighborhood dessert shop.

Day 5: Summer Palace Serenity and Olympic Park Icons

Morning: Spend a half-day at the Summer Palace. Walk the Long Corridor’s painted beams, climb to the Tower of Buddhist Incense, and take a boat across Kunming Lake for views back to Longevity Hill. Bring layers—breezes off the water can be cool.

Afternoon: Lunch back in town: Xibei Youmian Village (buckwheat noodles, roast lamb, and “youmian wowotou” buns) or Bai Jia Da Yuan (imperial‑style courtyard, set menus of classic dishes). Continue to the Olympic Park; photograph the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, and check current exhibits or pools inside.

Evening: Head to the lakes of Shichahai (Houhai) for a twilight stroll. Dinner at Siji Minfu (Houhai branch) or Man Fu Lou for homestyle Beijing plates like zhajiangmian (soybean paste noodles) and shredded potato. Drinks: try a lakefront tea house for jasmine tea or slip back into the alleys for a pint at Great Leap.

Day 6: Lama Temple, Confucius Temple, and Modern Beijing

Morning: The Lama Temple (Yonghe Gong) houses a spectacular 18‑meter Maitreya Buddha carved from a single sandalwood tree. Nearby, visit the Confucius Temple and Imperial College, where scholars once sat the grueling imperial exams. Coffee on Wudaoying Hutong at Metal Hands or Voyage Coffee.

Afternoon: Shift gears to the CBD. Photograph the CCTV Headquarters “loop” by Rem Koolhaas, browse Taikoo Li Sanlitun, and stop by the flagship Jing‑A Brewpub (burgers, wings, and seasonal taps). Shoppers can dip into China World Mall for local designer labels.

Evening: Cultural night out: Peking Opera at Liyuan Theatre (Qianmen) or the high‑energy Kung Fu show at the Red Theatre. Dinner beforehand at Jing Yaa Tang (superb duck and cold “smacked” cucumbers) or noodle-centric Noodle Bar by TRB if seats are available.

Optional upgrade for photographers and hikers: Trade this day for a remarkable Great Wall combo—rugged Jinshanling by day and the illuminated Simatai Wall with Gubei Water Town by night:

Jinshanling Private Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town

Day 7: Temple Walks, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: If it’s a weekend, browse Panjiayuan Antique Market for calligraphy brushes, Cultural Revolution memorabilia, and ceramics; weekdays are quieter but still fun. Alternatively, visit Prince Gong’s Mansion for ornate gardens and restored Qing interiors.

Afternoon: Early lunch near Lama Temple: King’s Joy (celebrated plant‑based tasting menus) for a splurge, or Baochao Hutong’s Mr. Shi’s for one last dumpling fix. Pack up, then head to the airport by Airport Express/subway or taxi (budget 1.5 hours with security).

Evening: In transit. If you have time, pick up snacks for the flight: haw flakes, Beijing yogurt in glass jars, or travel-friendly tea canisters.

Practical Dining Map (save these names)

• Peking duck: Siji Minfu, Da Dong, Bianyifang.
• Hutong eats: Dali Courtyard (Yunnan), Baoyuan Dumplings, Mr. Shi’s Dumplings.
• Hotpot: Dong Lai Shun (mutton), Haidilao (choose your spice level).
• Breakfast/coffee: Huguosi Snacks, Soloist Coffee Co., Metal Hands, % Arabica (798).
• Breweries/bars: Great Leap Brewing #6, Slow Boat Taproom (Sanlitun), Jing‑A Brewpub (CBD).

Helpful Booking Links

• Flights: Trip.com Flights | Kiwi.com
• China trains: Trip.com Trains
• Hotels: Hotels.com Beijing | VRBO Beijing

One more great full-day option if you prefer a guide for city monuments:

Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven

In seven days, you’ll trace emperors’ footsteps, stand atop stone battlements, and taste the city in slurps, sizzles, and spice. Beijing rewards curiosity—leave room for serendipity between its grand monuments and intimate alleys.