3 days
Imperial Beijing
- Tiananmen area
- Forbidden City
- Temple of Heaven
北京 arrival guide
Beijing arrival plan for first-time visitors.
History, imperial sites, Great Wall trips, museums, and travelers checking whether a short visa-free transit route can work.
Photo: Gisling, 2008 · CC BY 3.0 · Resized and converted to WebP.
Cover cropped for display; the full photograph appears below.
Arrival airport
Beijing Capital (PEK) or Beijing Daxing (PKX)
Beijing has two major airports. Confirm PEK or PKX before booking hotels or transfers because the ground journey can differ a lot.
Last verified: 2026-07-01
First 24 hours
- Check in and keep your first route close to the hotel.
- Use the first evening for a simple meal and payment test.
- Save Forbidden City and Great Wall plans for a rested day.
Starter routes
Choose a realistic first itinerary.
5 days
Beijing plus the Great Wall
- Summer Palace
- Mutianyu Great Wall
- Hutong walk
7 days
Deeper culture route
- National Museum
- Lama Temple
- 798 Art District
Landmarks along your route
See the places before choosing your days.
Match these places to the itinerary that fits your stay. They are separate outings, with arrival, rest and departure kept in the plan. Photographs record earlier visits; use current venue guidance for access and bookings.
故宫
Forbidden City
Make the palace the main visit of a central-city day. Confirm admission before setting the day’s order and leave time for the grounds, a meal and the journey back.
天坛
Temple of Heaven
Give the park and its landmark halls a separate outing. It is a useful contrast to the Forbidden City; do not assume one admission or entrance arrangement covers both places.
慕田峪长城
Mutianyu Great Wall
Reserve a full excursion day, including the outward and return journey. Choose a wall section for your group’s mobility and the weather; keep this off arrival and departure days.
颐和园
Summer Palace
Use another sightseeing day for the lake and palace grounds. Choose a manageable walking route and check current access to any particular building or boat service before relying on it.
Common mistakes
Avoid the first-day friction.
- Many major sites require booking or identity checks.
- Do not place Great Wall on arrival day.
- Check airport and station names carefully; Beijing has multiple large transport hubs.
Survival card preview
Preview the situations covered in the paid pack.
Please take me to the hotel address below.
The general version 1.0 phrase set includes Chinese text; city-specific translations are not promised.
I have a reservation. Please help me check in.
The general version 1.0 phrase set includes Chinese text; city-specific translations are not promised.
Where is the nearest subway entrance?
The general version 1.0 phrase set includes Chinese text; city-specific translations are not promised.