When we first arrived in the imperial capital, of course our itinerary had to start with Tiananmen Square, the most domineering place in the world, and the Forbidden City, which has the most royal feel. If you want to see the flag-raising in the square, you must arrive early, because the flag-raising time coincides with sunrise, so you must check the information in advance and arrive at least an hour in advance. After seeing the Heroes Monument, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, the Great Hall of the People and other buildings, you can visit the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City scenic area is relatively large with many points of interest. It is best to do some homework before visiting, or follow a guide to listen to the explanation. After coming out of the North Gate of the Forbidden City, you will arrive at Jingshan Park. Climbing Jingshan, you can see the panoramic view of the Forbidden City and the 360-degree panoramic view of Beijing. If you still have energy, you can go to the surrounding Hutongs to take a leisurely walk and feel the most real life of the common people in Beijing.

As the capital, Beijing's urban transportation is very developed. Subway and bus are the most commonly used means of transportation for tourists. After arriving in Beijing, it is strongly recommended to get a "Municipal Transportation Smart Card" in the subway station, which can be used for subway, bus, and some urban rail transit. Today's transportation mainly relies on walking. After having dinner near Qianmen, if you want to return to the vicinity of Tiananmen Gate Tower to visit the Forbidden City, you can take bus 2/59/120 to Tiananmen East Station.

Beijing has been a cosmopolitan city with a mix of ethnic groups for hundreds of years, hence the variety of snacks here is unique and rich in both salty and sweet flavors. Although Beijing cuisine is not included in the eight major cuisines, the reputation of Beijing's food has long been spread abroad, with freshness and suitability being the common characteristics of Beijing cuisine. After visiting Tiananmen, you can consider going to Qianmen Street in the south for lunch. Here, there are many old brands like Quanjude and Dong Lai Shun, as well as the main stores of other Beijing cuisines, and the restaurants are always crowded. Next to the Dashilar Hutong, there are many characteristic snacks. If you want to eat snacks like "baodou" and "lu zhu", come here for sure. There are fewer restaurants near Jingshan Park, most of them are royal style, such as Bingjiao Courtyard, which is directly using the "refrigeration room" of the Qing Dynasty, very worth a visit.

The area around Tiananmen, the Forbidden City, Qianmen, and Wangfujing is the central area of Beijing, with a considerable number of hotels of various grades. Many of Beijing's popular attractions are also located in the area, which can be conveniently reached. In addition, the subway lines 1 and 2 pass through this area, greatly facilitating the travel of tourists.

Daytime

As the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing and the former residence of Emperor Yongzheng, the popularity and nobility of the Lama Temple are unmatched by other Buddhist temples, making it very much worth a visit. After visiting the Lama Temple, you can go to the Confucius Temple and Imperial College across the street for a tour. It is strongly recommended to follow an internal guide for the visit, otherwise, many details cannot be fully understood. Afterwards, you can stroll through the artistic Wudaoying Hutong, exploring various cafes, book bars, and boutique shops.

Evening

After visiting the attractions, you can come to the vicinity of Guizhai Street for a big meal in the evening. Here, you can find delicious food from all over the country, mainly with a spicy flavor, and each restaurant has its own signature dishes. When you are out late at night, the bustling Guizhai Street with its bright lights will definitely let you feel another charm of Beijing.

Today's travel mainly relies on the subway. If you want to visit the Lama Temple area, take the subway line 5 to Lama Temple Station, exit C will take you directly to the scenic spot. The rest of the day's itinerary can be completed on foot.

Guizhai Street is a 24-hour feasting haven in the capital city. Within its less than 1-kilometer length, a series of restaurants and eateries cover a variety of flavors such as Sichuan, Shandong, Guangdong, and Hunan, including hotpot, barbecue, and other delicacies. The most famous are the spicy crayfish, greedy frog, and grilled fish. Red lanterns hang high on Guizhai Street, which has become the trend indicator of Beijing's most popular cuisine.

The area around Tiananmen, the Forbidden City, Qianmen, and Wangfujing is the central area of Beijing, with a considerable number of hotels of various grades. Many of Beijing's popular attractions are also located in the area, which can be conveniently reached. In addition, the subway lines 1 and 2 pass through this area, greatly facilitating the travel of tourists.

Morning

In the morning, head to the residence of He Shen, known as "China's biggest corrupt official", for a tour of the Prince Gong Mansion. The architectural layout of this mansion is even higher in some respects than the specifications of the Forbidden City. It is recommended to follow a guide and tour slowly to avoid missing many interesting stories and details.

Afternoon

After lunch, you can visit Shichahai for a play. There are many small attractions here, including the former residences of Song Qingling and Guo Moruo. You can also visit the Yandai Xie Street to experience the profound market customs and rich old Beijing characteristics. Heading northeast, you will see the landmark buildings of old Beijing - the Bell and Drum Towers. If you are not tired, you can go to the crowded Nanluoguxiang to take a look. There are many historical stories to be told on both sides of the alley.

The Prince Gong's Mansion is located on the west side of Shichahai. After getting off at Beigongmen Station on Line 6 of the subway, walk north for 300 meters to arrive. The Shichahai-Bell and Drum Tower-Nanluoguxiang area can be completed on foot. This area can also be visited by rickshaw, and the rickshaw drivers will take you to the alleys and tell you old Beijing stories. Regular rickshaws have a service price list, which clearly lists the tour route, tour time, and the cost for each visitor.

Shichahai/Nanluoguxiang area retains the old customs and history of old Beijing, and here naturally there are many time-honored brands. The bars by the sea are also the highlights of this place now. Many high-quality characteristic restaurants are hidden in the alleys around here. If you can't find something you like to eat here, it's really difficult.

The area around Tiananmen, the Forbidden City, Qianmen, and Wangfujing is the central area of Beijing, with a considerable number of hotels of various grades. Many of Beijing's popular attractions are also located in the area, which can be conveniently reached. In addition, the subway lines 1 and 2 pass through this area, greatly facilitating the travel of tourists.

Daytime

This morning, head to the Temple of Heaven for a visit. The scenic area has four entrances in the southeast, northwest, southwest, and northeast directions. It is recommended to enter from the south gate and exit from the north gate, which allows you to visit in the order of the Circular Mound Altar, the Echo Wall, and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, to obtain the best viewing experience.

Evening (Flexible Choice)

If you still have the energy, you can come to the Bird's Nest/Water Cube in the evening to enjoy the night view. It should be noted that these two attractions are not open to the public at night and can only be viewed from the outside.

As one of the landmark buildings of old Beijing, the various foods around the Temple of Heaven are also full of hidden treasures. From hot pot to various specialty snacks, the emphasis is on high cost-effectiveness and a common people's temperament.

The area around Tiananmen, the Forbidden City, Qianmen, and Wangfujing is the central area of Beijing, with a considerable number of hotels of various grades. Many of Beijing's popular attractions are also located in the area, which can be conveniently reached. In addition, the subway lines 1 and 2 pass through this area, greatly facilitating the travel of tourists.

During the day, visit the most stylish modern art district in Beijing - 798, to feel the atmosphere of various avant-garde arts and diverse cultures. It is recommended not to come too early, as many shops may not be open... Some places worth visiting include: UCCA (Ullens Center for Contemporary Art), Ruoshui Tang Oil Paper Umbrella, Locomotive Square, and Pure Persian Art Gallery. In the evening, you can go to the most talked-about shopping district in the capital - Sanlitun. Sanlitun can be roughly divided into the North and South areas. The North area mainly focuses on high-end style, with world-class gourmet food and major luxury brands gathered here; the consumption level of the South area is more civilian. In addition, Sanlitun is also the area where the most beautiful women in the capital appear most frequently.

The traffic situation near 798 is relatively poor. The most convenient way to get there is to take the subway Line 14 and get off at Jiangtai Station. After exiting from Exit A, take the bus from Jiangtai Road North Subway Station to Dashanzi Intersection South or Wangfufen Station, and then walk westward. If you are going to Sanlitun, because the traffic is also troublesome, it is recommended to take a taxi directly. If you choose public transportation, get off at Tuanjiehu Station on subway Line 10, and then walk about 500 meters west along Workers' Stadium North Road to arrive.

As an art district, the restaurants in 798 also have a bit of an unruly cultural atmosphere. In addition to the recommended restaurants, you might as well explore more in the park. Some independent small restaurants will definitely surprise you. The dining level in the North District of Sanlitun is relatively high, and there are many niche gourmets hidden in the nearby Beixiao Street. In addition, the bar street is also a major feature here.

Tsinghua University and Peking University - the Zhongguancun area is the educational and technological center of Beijing. It is conveniently located with easy access to transportation, where the subway Line 4 and several bus routes converge. In addition to many well-known universities, there are also attractions such as the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace nearby. It is recommended to stay in this area for the latter part of your trip to Beijing.

Morning

The Yuanmingyuan Scenic Area is quite large, so it's best to set aside half a day to visit. The scenic spots in the park mainly include cultural landscapes in the east and natural scenery in the west. It is recommended to enter the scenic area from the south gate (get off at Yuanmingyuan subway station and you'll be there), so you can first visit the most important attractions such as the Twelve Zodiacs, the Ruins of the Western Mansion, etc. Then, you can head west along the Fuhai coast to visit many natural landscapes, and finally leave from the Zaoyuan in the southwest corner.

Afternoon

If you want to visit Tsinghua University, it's best to enter from the west gate of the school, where you can rent campus bicycles, making it convenient and less tiring to tour every corner of the campus. The recommended tour route is: Tsinghua West Gate - Lotus Pond Moonlight - Tsinghua Water and Wood - Auditorium - Tsinghua School - Second School Gate - Tsinghua West Gate.

To go to the Old Summer Palace, you can take the subway line 4 and get off at the Old Summer Palace Station. If you go to Tsinghua University, you can start from the Yuanmingyuan subway station and walk east for about 400 meters. To go to the Bird's Nest/Water Cube, take the subway line 8 and get off at the Olympic Sports Center Station.

Zhongguancun/Tsinghua University/Peking University area is densely populated, and of course, there are many good places to eat. Here we mainly recommend a few restaurants with high praise in this area.

Tsinghua University-Beijing University-Zhongguancun area is the educational/technological center of Beijing, with convenient transportation, where the subway line 4 and many bus lines intersect. In addition to many well-known schools, there are also attractions such as the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace nearby. It is recommended to stay here for the latter half of the trip in Beijing.

Today's itinerary is similar to yesterday's. Visiting the Summer Palace also requires half a day to a full day. The best route to visit in about 3 hours is: Eastern Palace - Renshou Hall - Wenchang Court - Yulantang - Yizun Hall - Leshou Hall - Corridor - Paiyun Hall - Fuxiang Pavilion - Stone Boat - Farming and Weaving Scenery Area - Ruyi Gate. The architectural complex in front of Wanshou Mountain is the essence of the whole garden, and it must not be missed. If you visit Peking University in the afternoon, you should enter from the southeast gate (you need to register your ID card), and you can visit the library, Weiming Lake, Boya Tower, Cai Yuanpei Statue and other scenic spots along the way, and finally leave from the Peking University West Gate, which is very popular.

To go to the Summer Palace, you can take the subway line 4 and get off at the North Palace Gate Station to enter the park directly. If you want to enter from the East Palace Gate, you need to get on the subway at the North Palace Gate Station and get off at the Summer Palace Station. To go to Peking University, you can get off at Peking University East Gate Station on Line 4 of the subway.

Zhongguancun/Tsinghua University/Peking University area is densely populated, and of course, there are many good places to eat. Here we mainly recommend a few restaurants with high praise in this area.

Tsinghua University and Peking University - the Zhongguancun area is the educational and technological center of Beijing. It is conveniently located with easy access to transportation, where the subway Line 4 and several bus routes converge. In addition to many well-known universities, there are also attractions such as the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace nearby. It is recommended to stay in this area for the latter part of your trip to Beijing.

Today, head to Badaling to climb the Great Wall. It should be noted that there are two routes to visit the Badaling Great Wall, the south and the north, and the scenery of different routes is also different. Taking the cable car can save a lot of time. (Here, I strongly recommend a Badaling travel diary) If you finish visiting Badaling and still have enough physical strength and time, you can visit the Ming Tombs. It is recommended to visit Dingling first, because this is the only tomb in the Ming Tombs where the underground palace has been opened. If you still have time, you can go to see Changling, where the Ming Dynasty's Emperor Zhu Di is buried.

There are many ways to go to the Badaling Great Wall, and you can choose according to your own situation. [Bus] Take the 919 bus at Deshengmen Station and get off at Badaling Forest Park to arrive at the scenic area. The ticket price is 12 yuan, and there will be a discount if you use the municipal transportation card. If there is no traffic, you can arrive in about an hour. **Train Line S2**: The ticket price is 6 yuan, and you need to take the train at Beijing North Railway Station. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the scenic area. Although the time taken is relatively long, the environment is comfortable, and you can see the Great Wall at Juyongguan and Shuiguan and other scenes on the train. [Self-driving]: From the city to Badaling, you can take the Beijing-Tibet Expressway. If there is no traffic jam, it can be reached in about 1 hour, and it may take about 2 hours if the road is congested. [Purchase products]: Some travel websites offer round-trip transportation reservation services for the Badaling Great Wall. For details, please refer to the ticket strategy. If you are going to the Ming Tombs from Badaling, you can take the corresponding bus from Badaling Great Wall bus station to Dagumen Station, which takes about 1.5 hours. If you drive, it will take about 40 kilometers and about 1 hour. It is more convenient to return to the city area from the Ming Tombs/Changping, and you can take the Changping subway line.

The Badaling Great Wall is a suburban scenic spot, and it is not very convenient to dine around. It is recommended to bring some food for emergency. If transportation is convenient, you can have lunch in Changping District.

Tsinghua University-Beijing University-Zhongguancun area is the educational/technological center of Beijing, with convenient transportation, where the subway line 4 and many bus lines intersect. In addition to many well-known schools, there are also attractions such as the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace nearby. It is recommended to stay here for the latter half of the trip in Beijing.