The Forbidden City
Palace · Dongcheng
The world's largest imperial palace complex showcasing the glory of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Plan Beijing
By MupDay - the planner that does the research for you.Directions from stop to stop included - all free.
Plan a free trip to BeijingUpdated: 2026-10-18
Beijing, the capital of China, blends ancient history with modern advancement. Explore magnificent palaces, serene temples, and bustling markets to experience its rich culture.
Things to do in Beijing include The Forbidden City, Great Wall at Mutianyu, Temple of Heaven. Here are 15 places worth knowing, with a short note on each.
The world's largest imperial palace complex showcasing the glory of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Plan Beijing
A beautifully restored section of the Great Wall surrounded by lush forest, featuring a fun toboggan ride.
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A masterpiece of Ming architectural design where emperors prayed for bountiful harvests.
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Magnificent imperial gardens surrounding a vast lake, offering a peaceful escape from the city.
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The world's largest public square and the political and historical heart of modern China.
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The Great Wall at Badaling is the section of the wall that draws the most visitors, around 80 kilometres north-west of central Beijing in Yanqing District. It was built in 1504 under the Ming dynasty, together with a military outpost that shows how strategic the spot was, and in 1957 it became the first stretch of the wall opened to tourists.
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An imperial park featuring an artificial hill that offers the absolute best panoramic view of the Forbidden City.
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An active and impressive Tibetan Buddhist temple famous for its giant single piece sandalwood Buddha statue.
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One of the oldest and most beautiful imperial gardens in China, renowned for its White Dagoba and scenic lake.
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The Temple of Confucius and the Imperial College are neighbouring compounds in Beijing's Dongcheng District, both founded under the Yuan dynasty. Among Confucian temples in China only the one at Qufu, Confucius's hometown, is larger, and the college beside it was for centuries the national university of imperial China.
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A former military factory complex transformed into a thriving district of galleries, street art, and cafes.
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One of the largest museums in the world, preserving thousands of years of Chinese history and art.
Plan BeijingHere is what 3 days in Beijing look like when the planner builds them - arriving at noon on the first day and flying home at noon on the last. Stops are grouped by proximity so no day doubles back, and the same route can be built for any length, from two days to a week.
The route assumes the first day starts at noon, after you land, and the last ends at noon, before your flight. It is an example: with your dates the planner builds a route around your landing and your flight home, real opening hours, how you get around and your own preferences.
The Forbidden City, Great Wall at Mutianyu, Temple of Heaven, The Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, Great Wall at Badaling and 9 more. The Forbidden City: The world's largest imperial palace complex showcasing the glory of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Day 1: Temple of Confucius and Imperial College, Jingshan Park, The Forbidden City. Day 2: Great Wall at Mutianyu, The Summer Palace, Yonghe Temple - Lama Temple. Day 3: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square.
The itinerary for Beijing runs through Xicheng, Dongcheng, Huairou and Haidian.
Parks and gardens in Beijing: Great Wall at Mutianyu (Huairou), Jingshan Park (Xicheng) and Beihai Park (Xicheng).
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