The weight of an ancient capital layered with the rhythm of a modern city — red-walled, gold-tiled palaces, the Great Wall winding over the hills, and deep hutong lanes facing CBD glass towers. Beijing is the most substantial first stop into China.
Four classic routes — from the imperial central axis to hutong street life, climbing the Great Wall and a garden dream. The lines on the map show how they thread Beijing together.
Imperial Axis
1 dayTrace the central axis through the Forbidden City, then climb Jingshan for a rooftop view of golden palace roofs. Book the Forbidden City 7 days ahead; closed Mondays.
See full route →Hutong Wander
1 daySlip into the artsy old lanes where incense, ancient scholar trees and tiny cafes mingle — old Beijing street life.
See full route →The Great Wall
1 dayA high-speed train runs straight to Badaling for sweeping mountain views; back in the city by dusk for the Bird's Nest and Water Cube lit up.
See full route →Garden Dream
1 dayRow across Kunming Lake and stroll the Long Corridor, then reflect among the ruins of the Old Summer Palace.
See full route →The folk depth of a thousand-year capital: Peking Opera, courtyard hutongs, Spring Festival fairs, and the World-Heritage central axis.
Old Beijing is on the table: fruitwood-roasted duck, copper-pot mutton, zhajiang noodles, and a stick of tanghulu to finish.