Beijing In Depth
A deep dive into China\'s 3,000-year capital — from the Forbidden City to the Great Wall, with time for hidden temples and hutong bars.
4–5 Days
Enough time to see the icons and discover Beijing's vanishing hutong alleyways.
Beijing
China's 3,000-year capital — imperial palaces, ancient temples, and cutting-edge art districts.
Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven
The three essentials, plus hidden temples and the city's best food streets.
The Journey
Beijing deserves more than the rushed 2-day stop on most Golden Triangle tours. With 4-5 days, you can see the big hitters, explore Beijing\'s vanishing hutong alleyways, visit lesser-known temples, and still have an evening free for craft cocktails in Gulou.
Day 1: The Imperial Core
Start at Tiananmen Square, then walk north through the Forbidden City (book 7 days ahead via WeChat mini-program). The full walk from south gate to north gate takes 3-4 hours. Exit through Jingshan Park — climb the hill for the panoramic view over the Forbidden City's golden roofs. Evening: Dinner at a hutong restaurant near Nanluoguxiang.
Local tip: Forbidden City tickets sell out. Book exactly 7 days before at 8pm Beijing time on the '故宫博物院' WeChat mini-program. Have your passport number ready.
Day 2: Great Wall
Mutianyu Great Wall — leave at 7am, arrive by 8:30am. Take the cable car up, walk east toward Watchtower 20 for the steepest section, then toboggan down. Back in Beijing by 2pm. Afternoon: Summer Palace — the marble boat and Long Corridor are iconic. Evening: Peking duck at Dadong.
Local tip: The toboggan slide is genuinely thrilling — a 1.5 km metal slide down the mountain. Worth going to Mutianyu just for this.
Day 3: Temples & Art
Temple of Heaven at 7am — join the pensioners doing tai chi, shuttlecock kicking, and water calligraphy. Then the Lama Temple (Yonghegong) with its 26m sandalwood Buddha. Afternoon: 798 Art District — galleries, coffee shops, and a Bauhaus factory turned creative hub.
Local tip: The Lama Temple is an active Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Dress respectfully (covered shoulders). The giant Buddha at the end is 18m tall and carved from a single sandalwood tree.
Day 4: Hidden Beijing
Morning: White Cloud Temple (Baiyun Guan) — Beijing's largest Daoist temple, peaceful and rarely touristy. Walk the old hutong alleys from Qianmen to Dashilan. Afternoon: National Museum of China (free, book ahead) or Panjiayuan flea market for antiques and souvenirs. Fly out in the evening or extend one more day.
Local tip: Panjiayuan on weekends is the best. Most 'antiques' are reproductions, but haggle hard (start at 30% of asking price) and you'll find great souvenirs.
This is a suggested itinerary. Every journey we design is tailored to your interests, pace, and budget.
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