A Guide to Beijing, Perfected Over n Trips.

In the balmy month of March, Beijing awakens from its slumber, with the scent of spring permeating the streets and alleys. Traveling to Beijing at this time allows you to avoid the harsh winter chill ❄ while enjoying a preview of the summer's vibrancy ☀. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or a photography enthusiast, Beijing has something for everyone. Follow this guide to embark on a wonderful Beijing adventure! Itinerary 🗺 • Day 1: Tiananmen Square → Great Hall of the People → Chairman Mao Memorial Hall → Palace Museum → Jingshan Park ◦ In the morning, head to Tiananmen Square to watch the solemn flag-raising ceremony. Afterward, visit the Great Hall of the People and Chairman Mao Memorial Hall. ◦ Have lunch near the Palace Museum. In the afternoon, explore the Palace Museum and experience the splendor of the ancient imperial family. ◦ In the evening, ascend Jingshan Park for a panoramic view of the Palace Museum and Beijing's central axis. • Day 2: Badaling Great Wall → Olympic Park ◦ Depart for the Badaling Great Wall in the morning. You can choose to take the cable car or hike up to admire the magnificent Great Wall. ◦ Return to the city in the afternoon and head to the Olympic Park to visit the Bird's Nest, Water Cube, and other Olympic venues. • Day 3: Summer Palace → Old Summer Palace → Tsinghua University (or Peking University) ◦ Visit the Summer Palace in the morning and enjoy the scenery of the imperial gardens. ◦ After lunch nearby, head to the Old Summer Palace to learn about its historical vicissitudes. ◦ In the evening, you can choose to visit Tsinghua University or Peking University and experience the academic atmosphere of the campuses. • Day 4: Temple of Heaven → Nanluoguxiang → Shichahai ◦ Visit the Temple of Heaven in the morning and experience the solemnity of ancient sacrificial ceremonies. ◦ Enjoy various local snacks at Nanluoguxiang for lunch. ◦ Stroll through Shichahai in the afternoon, admire the hutong scenery, and experience the charm of old Beijing. Must-See Attractions 1. Tiananmen Square • Recommended reason: The world's largest city square, a symbol of China. Here you can watch the flag-raising ceremony and feel the solemnity and sanctity of the nation. • Address: South side of Chang'an Avenue, Dongcheng District • Transportation: Subway Line 1 to Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West Station • Tickets: Free • Opening hours: 5am–10pm 2. Palace Museum • Recommended reason: The imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, a World Cultural Heritage site. It boasts a wealth of historical relics and architectural landscapes, making it an excellent place to learn about ancient Chinese imperial culture. • Address: 4 Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District • Transportation: Subway Line 1 to Tiananmen East Station, then walk • Tickets: Peak season (Apr 1–Oct 31): CNY 60; Off-season (Nov 1–Mar 31): CNY 40 • Opening hours: 8:30am–5pm (ticket sales stop at 4:10pm, entry stops at 4:30pm) 3. Jingshan Park • Recommended reason: Located at the center of Beijing's central axis, the summit offers a panoramic view of the Palace Museum and the central axis, making it a great spot for photography. • Address: 44 Jingshan West Street, Xicheng District • Transportation: Subway Line 8 to Shichahai Station, then walk • Tickets: CNY 2 • Opening hours: 6:30am–9pm 4. Badaling Great Wall • Recommended reason: An important part of the Great Wall and a pass of the Ming Great Wall. It is renowned for its magnificent scenery, well-equipped facilities, and profound historical and cultural significance. • Address: North Entrance of the Ancient Road of Guangu, Jundushan, Yanqing District • Transportation: Take Bus No. 877 from Deshengmen or take Suburban Railway Line S2 • Tickets: CNY 40 • Opening hours: 6:30am–7pm 5. Olympic Park • Recommended reason: The main venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, featuring famous Olympic venues such as the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. Its unique architectural style represents modern architecture. • Address: 15 Beichen East Road, Chaoyang District • Transportation: Subway Line 8 to Olympic Sports Center Station or South Gate of Forest Park Station • Tickets: Free (separate tickets required for some venues) • Opening hours: Open all day 6. Summer Palace • Recommended reason: A large-scale classical garden and the most completely preserved imperial garden, known as the "Royal Garden Museum." It offers beautiful scenery and picturesque views all year round. • Address: 19 Xinjianggongmen Road, Haidian District • Transportation: Subway Line 4 to Beigongmen Station or Xiyuan Station • Tickets: Peak season (Apr 1–Oct 31): CNY 30; Off-season (Nov 1–Mar 31): CNY 20 • Opening hours: 6:30am–6pm (ticket sales stop at 5pm) 7. Old Summer Palace • Recommended reason: A former imperial garden. Although it has undergone many changes, its past glory can still be felt from the ruins. It is an important base for patriotic education. • Address: 28 Qinghua West Road, Haidian District • Transportation: Subway Line 4 to Yuanmingyuan Station • Tickets: CNY 25 • Opening hours: 7am–7:30pm (ticket sales stop at 7pm) 8. Temple of Heaven • Recommended reason: The place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties performed "Heaven Worship" and "Prayer for Grain" ceremonies. The northern part of the altar is round, and the southern part is square, symbolizing "a round heaven and a square earth." It is the largest existing ancient sacrificial building complex in China. • Address: 1A Tiantan Road, Dongcheng District • Transportation: Subway Line 5 to Tiantan East Gate Station • Tickets: Peak season (Apr 1–Oct 31): CNY 15; Off-season (Nov 1–Mar 31): CNY 10 • Opening hours: 6:30am–9pm (Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Echo Wall, Circular Mound Altar: 8:30am–5pm) 9. Nanluoguxiang • Recommended reason: One of the most representative hutong areas in Beijing. It is home to various local snacks, handicraft shops, and bars, filled with an artistic atmosphere. • Address: Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District • Transportation: Subway Line 6 or 8 to Nanluoguxiang Station • Tickets: Free • Opening hours: Open all day 10. Shichahai • Recommended reason: A historical and cultural scenic area, originally surrounded by ten Buddhist temples, hence the name. It preserves many hutongs and courtyards, making it a great place to experience old Beijing. • Address: 23 Yangfang Hutong, Xicheng District • Transportation: Subway Line 6 to Beihai North Station • Tickets: Free • Opening hours: Open all day Must-Do Activities in Beijing 🎈 • Watch the flag-raising ceremony: At Tiananmen Square, watch the five-star red flag rise with the first rays of dawn and feel the awe and pride. • Visit the Palace Museum: Stroll through the red walls and yellow tiles of the Palace Museum, as if traveling through time back to the ancient imperial world. • Climb the Great Wall: "He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man." Ascend the Great Wall, appreciate its magnificence and steepness, and feel the wisdom and perseverance of the ancients. • Visit the Summer Palace: Relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the imperial gardens amidst the lakes and mountains of the Summer Palace. • Eat Peking duck: Taste authentic Peking duck, with its crispy skin and tender meat, served with thin pancakes, spring onions, and sweet bean sauce. It's a culinary delight. • Explore the hutongs: Take a rickshaw through the old Beijing hutongs and learn about the history and culture of Beijing. • Watch a Peking opera performance: Experience the charm of traditional Chinese opera and enjoy the actors' wonderful performances and unique singing style. Beijing, a city full of charm, has countless historical sites and cultural attractions, each worth savoring. I hope this guide will help you have a pleasant trip to Beijing and create wonderful memories! If you have any other questions or suggestions, please feel free to share. Have fun in Beijing 🥳!