Part of our China guide.
3 places and guides from our Beijing coverage, gathered into one page.
Related travel guides: Renewing A Chinese Passport and How Much Should I Pay In Gratuity To A Driver And A Tour Guide In China.
How Many Days Is Backpacking In Beijing
Plan at least four full days. Three days cover the essentials—the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Temple of Heaven—while a fourth day lets you explore hutongs (narrow alleys) and sample street food like jianbing and lamb skewers. Beijing’s subway connects all major sites cheaply, and hostels in the Dongcheng district put you within walking distance of the historic core.
What To Do On A Layover In Beijing
With a layover of six hours or more, you can reach the Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square by taxi in about 40 minutes from Beijing Capital International Airport. For a shorter stop, head to the Great Wall at Badaling—it’s a 70-minute drive each way and the cable car saves time. If you have an overnight layover, you can book an air China hotel for overnight layover near the airport and still have time for a quick hutong rickshaw ride and a bowl of zhajiangmian before your morning flight.
The Top Things To Do In Beijing
Forbidden City
The Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties, spanning over 500 years. Spanning 180 acres, it is the largest palace complex in the world. Allow at least three hours to walk the central axis and the Hall of Supreme Harmony; tickets must be booked in advance online.
Great Wall of China
The most accessible section for backpackers is Badaling, about 80 kilometers northwest of Beijing. A round-trip bus from the city takes roughly five hours including travel time. For a quieter experience, the Mutianyu section is a 90-minute drive and offers a cable car and a toboggan ride down. Wear sturdy shoes and carry water—the wall’s steps are uneven and steep in places.
Temple of Heaven
This UNESCO site in the south of the city is where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is the centerpiece, set inside a vast park where locals practice tai chi and play mahjong in the mornings. Entry costs about 15 RMB for the grounds and 30 RMB for the full ticket including the throne hall.
Hutongs and Street Food
Explore the narrow alleys around Nanluoguxiang or the quieter Yandai Xiejie. Try a cheap souvenir hunt at the weekend flea market near Panjiayuan—check our guide on Where To Buy Cheap Souvenirs In Beijing. Street food must-tries include candied hawthorn sticks, Beijing yogurt, and steaming bowls of noodles from a hutong cart.
More about Beijing
Before you go, review travel essentials in China such as visa requirements, mobile data, and the Alipay app for cashless payments. If you have extra time, consider a side trip to hidden gems in China like the Ming Tombs or the ancient water town of Wuzhen, both reachable from Beijing by train.
