Beijing Travel Guide
A first-time Beijing guide for imperial sights, the Great Wall, hutongs, food, and practical transport planning.
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Best for
- History
- Great Wall
- First China trip
- Museums
Where to stay
First-time visitors should prioritize metro access, central neighborhoods, and easy airport or station transfers. Good starter areas include Qianmen, Wangfujing, Dongcheng hutongs, Sanlitun.
Starter itinerary
- Day 1: Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, and Qianmen.
- Day 2: Great Wall day trip with an early start.
- Day 3: Temple of Heaven, hutongs, and local food.
Transport
Use the metro for most city days and book official transfers or tours for Great Wall sections outside central Beijing.
Food to try
- Peking duck
- Zhajiangmian
- Dumplings
- Jianbing