The following itinerary is a classic four-day Beijing itinerary, combining core attractions such as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Mutianyu Great Wall, and the Temple of Heaven:
Itinerary
Day 1: Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square: Watch the flag-raising ceremony (arrive 1.5 hours early and bring your ID).
Palace Museum: Visit key buildings such as the Meridian Gate and the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Rent an audio guide to better understand the historical background (free admission, reservation required).
Day 2: Summer Palace and Mutianyu Great Wall
Summer Palace: Enjoy views of Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, and visit attractions such as the Long Corridor and the Tower of Buddhist Incense.
Mutianyu Great Wall: Climb a well-preserved section of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall and experience its magnificent beauty.
Day 3: Temple of Heaven and Nanluoguxiang
Temple of Heaven: Visit the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound, and other celestial worship buildings.
Nanluoguxiang: Experience the old Beijing hutong culture and take a rickshaw tour. Day 4: Comprehensive Tour and Return
Prince Gong's Mansion: Visit the Qing Dynasty residence of Heshen and learn about its architectural features.
Yandai Xiexiang Alley: Experience traditional courtyard architecture and handicrafts.
Notes
Forbidden City Reservations: Reservations must be made in advance through official channels. Free, but ID is required.
Transportation: Use the subway or taxi (use the taxi app's reservation function during peak hours).
Dining Recommendations: Try traditional Beijing snacks such as zhajiangmian (fried bean paste noodles) and douzhier (soy bean juice) with fried dough rings.
Accommodation Recommendations: Choose a hotel near the subway line (such as Qianmen or Xizhimen) for convenient transportation.