Places to Visit in Beijing – A Different Perspective on China’s Capital

From UNESCO historical sites to nature and art spaces, here are the places to visit in Beijing, China, to see it from a different perspective.

When visiting Beijing, three sites are given – The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. In most guidebooks, it’s almost always stated that without this holy trinity of tourist must-dos ticked off the list, you haven’t experienced Beijing.

While there is more than this, you may have limited time in Beijing as you plan a trip around China to see as much as possible in a short time frame. I spent around 12 days in Beijing, and I loved digging into what this chaotic, frenetic and somewhat fascinating city had to offer. I still kept finding more and more things to do and see – but many only spend a third of that time there. China is so huge and tempting that it is easy to bypass spending a lot of time in one place getting to know it in the eagerness to squeeze in other destinations.

If you plan on visiting Beijing for a short stay, you may face the dilemma of what core sites to see while combining with alternative sites for a different perspective on the historical capital. My shortlist combines history and culture with art, nature and nightlife. 

Getting Around – Beijing Transportation

Navigating Beijing’s top sites and districts of interest across its vast size can be daunting. It requires patience and logistical pre-planning, and it’s best to cluster sites into manageable areas and give yourself plenty of time to experience China’s capital. Luckily, the city’s comprehensive public transportation system makes it relatively easy for visitors to get around. 

Beijing Subway

Beijing’s vast subway network with 27 lines – the oldest in China – connects major landmarks and inner districts (it’s unlikely you will need to venture into suburban areas). Subway maps and metro stops list names in English and Chinese, which makes things easier. 

It’s the cheapest and quickest way to get around the city, costing 3 RMB (Chinese Yuan) for a single ticket in the central area, increasing incrementally the further you travel. If you plan to make multiple stops, consider getting a pre-paid top-up Beijing Municipal Administration Traffic Card (Yikatong) and save money on each journey (including buses). 

Beijing Bus Routes

Bus stops and routes of the Beijing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) which run on bus-only lanes, are numbered and listed in Chinese and English. They can be a bit trickier to navigate, and many visitors opt to use the Beijing Sightseeing Bus / Beijing Tourist Bus lines 1 and 2, which take you through a dozen stops with onboard guiding. Don’t buy tickets from touts on the street – get your official day ticket from the Beijing Hub of Tour Dispatch near Qianmen. 

Beijing Taxis

The language barrier is the biggest frustration with using a taxi in Beijing; it took us over ten attempts to pronounce Qianmen before a taxi driver eventually understood us. Utilising the Chinese characters listed in guidebooks helps, as does showing online listings. Ensure the meter is on and you get a receipt – it costs 13 RMB for the first 3 km and around 3 RMB/km after. You can also use the Beijing Municipal Administration Traffic Card to pay for taxi journeys. 

Biking in Beijing

Beijing by bicycle gets you into the weave of districts and is a more scenic route between the historical sites. Rent bicycles from your accommodation, or use the city’s Meituan bike rental service. Take your time cautiously navigating the designated bike lanes and highways. Joining a Beijing bike tour is a great introduction. 

The Trinity of Things to Do in Beijing

Let’s start with the trio of must-see sights, walking walls, palatial rooms, and revolutionary squares. Skip these, and you will miss the centrepieces of Beijing’s history. 

The Great Wall of China

Whether you have to choose your day wisely according to smog levels or deliberately time a visit to Beijing according to the best weather seasons, you can’t miss a walk or hike along the Great Wall of China. Although the closest point to get to, try and steer clear of the ultra-touristy Badaling and instead hike between the lesser trodden paths of Jinshanglin and Simatai, try an adventurous toboggan slide at Mutianyu or get to the far reaches of Huánghuā. 

BOOK: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour. This trip, a 1.5-hour drive from Beijing, gives you at least four hours to walk along the wall. 

BOOK: Simatai Great Wall Tour. This private trip includes visiting the scenic Gubei Water Town and riding the wall cable car for elevated views. 

BOOK: Jinshanling Great Wall Transfer. A 2.5-hour drive from Beijing, get dropped off at Jinshanling and enjoy at your own pace before the drop off back to Beijing. 

BOOK: Jinshanglin to Simatai Hiking Trip. Join a small group and hike this spectacular and uncrowded section of the Great Wall in three hours. 

The Forbidden City

One downside of visiting the Forbidden City is that much of it is off-limits, and you are herded through a cluster of similar rooms with hundreds of people. Yet, it remains a main historical sight of Beijing, and you would be a fool to miss this former grand imperial palace and now UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For a prime view of this famed former royal stronghold, climb the hillside opposite the exit gates to the Pavilion of Everlasting Spring atop Jingshan Park and look out over the complex of ancient structures.

BOOK – Tian’anmen Square and Forbidden City Walking Tour with a local guide, who will guide you through this historic centre of Beijing on a 4-hour wander. 

BOOK – Skip the Line Forbidden City Entry and half-day guided tour through the halls, gates, and gardens of the imperial palace. 

Tiananmen Square

Take what is said to be the world’s third largest public square, throw in hundreds of people (mainly locals eagerly snapping away for their family shot in front of the famous Chairman Mao portrait), fill it with Mao’s mausoleum, a monument, a museum and a few other imposing government buildings, and you have Tiananmen Square – a revolutionary space you can get lost in for hours.

Historical Places to Visit in Beijing

Summer Palace

One of Beijing’s most stunning and photogenic spots, a leisurely climb up through contrasting temples, beautiful pavilions and lush green landscape will first take you to the top of a hillside, providing you with a spectacular view of the city. A winding stroll down the other side through pretty pavilions brings you to the gleaming Kunming Lake, where you can relax, jump on a dragon boat and stroll around its perimeter, over its bridges and through its gate towers.

If you are done with the climb, take an alternative route back to the entrance gate via the parks and gardens. It’s where all the locals are hanging out.

Expect to spend at least half a day here, or opt for a guided tour of the Summer Palace and learn about the history and hidden corners of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Metro stop: Xiyuan

Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holding historical significance as an imperial religious site. Dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, the early 15th-century ritual complex was constructed as a sacrificial altar to be used by emperors. The multi-structured temple area includes The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the emperor’s fasting space in the Hall of Abstinence, and The Echo Wall talking chamber. As with most temple complexes in Beijing, the architectural highlights are accompanied by surrounding parkland for serene strolls in a once-spiritual ambience.

Metro stop: Tiantandongmen

Lama Temple

Beijing’s Temple of Heaven is more of a large park space than a magnificent temple complex, but the Lama Temple is known as the most renowned Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. You’ll be hit by an array of magnificent colours, exquisite decor, sporadic prayer wheels, ancient architecture and shrouded in clouds of incense. A particular highlight here is the towering Maitreya Buddha, carved from a single sandalwood tree, which supposedly holds a Guinness World Record for its claim.

Metro stop: Yonghegong-Lama Temple

Old City Wall

Much of China has been or is being rebuilt, but in Beijing, a lot was destroyed forever during the Cultural Revolution of the Maoist days in the 1950s and 60s. The same, sadly, applies to the Old City Wall. Although this vast stretch of wall is completely reconstructed, it does give a good insight into how this impressive city must have looked before its modern, industrial overhaul. Set within a park landscape, it’s a beautiful stroll, even if the wall doesn’t ignite a historical fire within you.

Metro stop: Chongwenmen

Wander the Hutongs

Beijing has a vast collection of Hutongs – narrow neighbourhood alleyways, passageways, and courtyards preserved as capsules and gateways to old, traditional China. While slightly modernised and repaved, you can still find some Hutongs standing and preserving the city’s history, having survived demolition in favour of modern structures. 

Set to a grid system, they are fairly easy to navigate, with each hutong bearing a red name plaque – the main ones can be found near the Qianmen metro station and the Lama Temple.

READ MORE: Visiting Hutongs in Beijing Respectfully. 

Parks and Nature in Beijing

Beihai Park

With another beautiful lake that is not too taxing on the strolling scale, this park is situated west of the Forbidden City. I spent half a day here (the lake is not as huge and magnificent as the Summer Palace) using the impressive White Dagoba as my start and endpoint.

It’s serene and peaceful, a love haven for local couples and a great escape from the crowds at the nearby Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

Metro stop: Tiananmen Square Xi

Olympic Park

Although some of the buildings are still in use, there is a slight ghost town feel to the Olympic Park – the famous architecture of the Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube are rusting yet still impressive. The adjacent Olympic Park makes for a beautiful stroll or a boat drive out on the lake.

Everything can be reached within three metro stops, but be prepared to barter with the ticket touts who charge around 50 yuan (£5) for the privilege of entering what has come to be seen as some of Beijing’s best-known landmarks. 

Marvel the structures from the outside before heading to the park for a long stroll, and relax on a hired motorboat for some time on the lake – a great chance to interact with the local people.

Metro stop: Olympic Sport Centre and Olympic Forest Park

Where to See Art in Beijing

The 798 Art Zone

One might not associate finding a host of modern art on a visit to Beijing, but there is an entire area dedicated to it. The 798 Art District is an unexpected find – an area wholly dedicated to visual arts, hosting an impressive art community, from traditional to controversial galleries to wacky sculptures and street art.

Most art is housed in a former East German electronics factory, making the setting more artistically edgy. You could spend days here interacting, marvelling and being inspired by the creations depending on your love of art – maps are available in most galleries for easy navigation with limited time.

Metro stop: Sanyuanqiao

Where to Eat and Drink in Beijing

Sanlitun

The area of Sanlitun, next to the hostel area of Qianmen, quickly became a favourite of mine, with its vibrant, always-sparky atmosphere. 

A shopping and beauty haven during the day, head to the beloved multiple-floored Yashow Market for clothing, electronics and beauty treatments at bargain prices or splash your cash at the modern high-end shopping malls. At night, the area is buzzing with street food stalls, packed bars, and street sellers who will try to tempt you to purchase balloons, flowers, and other nonsense items while you are more inclined to part with your cash. Sanlitun is a fun break from sightseeing.

Metro stop: Dongsishitiao, then a 15-minute walk

Local life, history, architecture, shopping, art, temple hopping, seeking out the best city view, the list goes on. What are your favourite must-see parts of Beijing?

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For a comprehensive resource of China travel tips, destination guides, and other stories from my 3 months of travel there, check out my full list of China Travel Guides.