Beijing is a city where 700-year-old alleyways brush shoulders with glossy skyscrapers, and imperial palaces unfurl beside tranquil lakes. Once the seat of Ming and Qing emperors, it remains China’s political and cultural heart, home to UNESCO giants like the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace—and, just beyond its hills, the Great Wall.

Beyond the headliners, Beijing rewards curiosity: steam curling from baskets of dumplings at dawn, bicycles weaving through hutong lanes, contemporary art in repurposed factories, and tea rituals that slow time. In winter, skies are crisp and clear; in spring and autumn, parks glow with blossoms or golden ginkgo.

Practical notes: most places accept mobile pay and international cards at major venues, though carrying some cash helps in markets. The subway is fast and signed in English. Book timed-entry tickets for the Palace Museum in advance, and rise early for marquee sights to beat crowds and enjoy gentler light for photos.

Beijing

China’s capital is a living timeline: from Tiananmen Square’s vast expanse to palace courtyards, Confucian temples, and avant-garde galleries. Its culinary scene spans rustic noodles and royal banquets to Michelin-star vegetarian artistry.

• Top sights: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Jingshan Park, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Lama Temple, Beihai Park, 798 Art District, hutongs around Nanluoguxiang and Wudaoying.
• Why visit: World-class heritage, easy access to the Great Wall (Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Simatai), and unforgettable flavors—from zhajiangmian to Peking duck.
• Where to stay: Sanlitun for dining/nightlife, Wangfujing/Qianmen for historic core, CBD for modern comforts and skyline views.

Book stays: Browse homes on VRBO Beijing or hotels on Hotels.com Beijing. Standouts: design-forward The Opposite House (Sanlitun), superb-value New World Beijing Hotel (near Temple of Heaven), classic-service The Peninsula Beijing (Wangfujing), reliable Novotel Beijing Peace, and budget-friendly 365 Inn Beijing or 365 Inn Beijing Qianmen.

Getting here: Compare flights to Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX) on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. For regional rail (e.g., Tianjin or Xi’an), check Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Hutong Stroll, Drum & Bell Towers

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. From PEK, the Airport Express plus subway runs ~40–60 minutes; from PKX, the Daxing Airport Express is ~45–60 minutes. Ease in with a coffee at Soloist Coffee Co. in Dashilar (retro-industrial vibe, hand-pour brews) or Metal Hands (Nanluoguxiang, micro-roastery standards).

Evening: Wander the hutongs around the Drum and Bell Towers—quiet alleys, red doorways, and courtyard homes. Dinner at Xianlaoman (handmade dumplings; try pork–cabbage or fennel), or Bao Yuan Dumpling (colorful skins, classic vinegar-chili dip). Nightcap at Jing-A Taproom (Xingfucun) for Beijing-brewed IPAs.

Day 2: Tiananmen, Forbidden City, Jingshan & Beihai

Morning: Early start at Tiananmen Square, then enter the Forbidden City via the Meridian Gate. Prebooked entry and a guide bring the palace to life—consider this well-reviewed option: Forbidden City & Tian'anmen Square Optional Tours.

Afternoon: Exit the north gate and climb Jingshan Park for a sweeping view over golden roofs. Stroll to Beihai Park’s lakes and white stupa. Lunch at Dali Courtyard (fixed Yunnan menus in a hidden courtyard; bright herbs and chili), or Jing Wei Zhai for homestyle Beijing dishes.

Evening: Treat yourself to TRB Hutong (refined contemporary European in a lantern-lit courtyard) or sample crisp-skinned Peking duck at Siji Minfu (reserve; pair with osmanthus sauce and warm pancakes). Finish with skyline cocktails at Atmosphere Bar (China World Summit Wing).

Day 3: Great Wall at Mutianyu (full-day)

Journey to a photogenic, less crowded stretch with forested ridgelines. A convenient option with multilingual guides and fast-track entry is the MuBus: Mutianyu Great Wall Guided Bus Tour (about 1.5–2 hours each way; buffet lunch and time on the wall; cable car or chairlift+toboggan available).

Back in town, celebrate with duck at Da Dong (noted for lean, lacquered skin) or homestyle comfort at Haiwanju for zhajiangmian (Beijing soybean paste noodles). If you still have energy, stroll Wangfujing Snack Street for sweets like tanghulu (candied hawthorn).

Day 4: Temple of Heaven, Markets & Hutong Food Safari

Morning: Enter the Temple of Heaven Park at dawn to watch locals practice tai chi and play shuttlecock; then visit the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (its blue-tiled roof symbolizes heaven). Breakfast nearby at Huguosi Xiaochi (old-school Beijing snacks: doufunao tofu pudding, jianbing crepes).

Afternoon: Bargain for pearls and souvenirs at Hongqiao Pearl Market, then browse Panjiayuan Antique Market (best on weekends) for calligraphy brushes, Cultural Revolution memorabilia, and ceramics. Lunch at Bai Jia Da Yuan (Qing-style courtyard dining) or Najia Xiaoguan (Manchu recipes—try yellow braised pork and sticky rice desserts).

Evening: Dive into Old Beijing flavors with a small-group tasting walk: Beijing Private Hutong Food Walking Tour. Expect hand-pulled noodles, sizzling lamb skewers, and craft baijiu sips in tucked-away courtyards.

Day 5: Lama Temple, Wudaoying & 798 Art District

Morning: Pay respects at the Lama Temple (Yonghe Gong), famed for its 26-meter sandalwood Maitreya statue. Coffee and pastry on Wudaoying Hutong at Voyage Coffee (specialty roasts) or The Hutong Café (quiet courtyard feel). Snack on candied walnuts and sesame snacks at street-side vendors.

Afternoon: Head to the 798 Art District, a Bauhaus-era factory complex turned gallery maze. Explore contemporary exhibitions, design shops, and outdoor installations. Lunch at AT Café (798 stalwart with art-world bustle) or Bottega (Sanlitun) later if you want a Neapolitan pizza interlude.

Evening: For a splurge, book King’s Joy (near Lama Temple; elegant plant-based tasting menus that earned top accolades). Prefer casual? Try Hulu by TRB (creative bistro plates). Drinks at Union (The Opposite House) bring polished cocktails with Beijing infusions.

Day 6: Jinshanling Great Wall by Day, Simatai & Gubei Water Town by Night (full-day)

Experience a quieter, rugged section by day and lantern-lit romance by night with this combo: Jinshanling Private Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town. You’ll trek restored and wild stretches at Jinshanling (photographer favorite), then transfer to Simatai for a limited-entry evening climb and a stroll through Gubei’s canals, stone bridges, and tea houses.

Dinner suggestions upon return: Guijie (Ghost Street) for late-night hot pot at Haidilao (legendary service), or skewers and cold sesame noodles at a hutong grill.

Day 7: Summer Palace, Lake Walks & Departure

Morning: Glide through the Summer Palace: the Long Corridor’s painted beams, Kunming Lake causeways, and the hilltop Foxiang Pavilion. Rent a pedal boat if weather allows. Coffee at a nearby Wuyutai Tea House for a jasmine tea break (you can buy tins to take home).

Afternoon: Lunch at Siji Minfu (Weijia Hutong branch works well for a final duck feast) or Lao She Teahouse (dim sum-style nibbles with traditional performances at select times). Transfer to the airport: allow 1–1.5 hours to PEK/PKX. Compare rides and flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Evening (if you have time): Last stroll through Qianmen’s lantern-lit streets for souvenirs—tea, chopsticks, silk scarves—and a sweet finish of walnut cakes or hawthorn jelly candies for the plane.

Optional add-ons and practical tips

• All-in-one city + wall day: Short on time? This efficient combo pairs Beijing’s icons and Badaling: Beijing Essential Full-Day Tour.

• Subway savvy: Get a reloadable transit card; signs are bilingual. Avoid rush hour if carrying luggage.
• Dining: For local noodles, try Haiwanju; for dumplings, Xianlaoman or Bao Yuan; for duck, Siji Minfu or Da Dong. Vegetarian travelers should book King’s Joy ahead.
• Seasonal notes: Spring/fall are ideal. In midsummer, visit outdoor sights early and take midday museum/art breaks.

Where to book: Stays on VRBO Beijing or Hotels.com Beijing. Flights with Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Regional rail via Trip.com Trains.

In seven days, you’ll trace emperors’ footsteps, wander low-slung hutongs, and stand on the Great Wall’s crenellations watching mountains roll to the horizon. Beijing’s layers—ancient, revolutionary, and ultramodern—reveal themselves meal by meal and courtyard by courtyard. You’ll leave with tea in your bag, lake reflections in your camera, and a desire to return for the stories you missed.