Things to do in Beijing

Activities, attractions and tours

Forbidden City featuring a fountain
Forbidden City featuring a square or plaza and heritage architecture
Beijing featuring a monument and heritage elements as well as a large group of people
Olympic Park showing modern architecture
Dongcheng - Wangfujing featuring a statue or sculpture and heritage elements
  • find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
  • calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
  • trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    Members save % or more when you book activities.

Top places to visit

1. Wangfujing Street

There have been commercial premises on Wangfujing Street since the middle of the Ming Dynasty hundreds of years ago, and a wander down this pedestrianised boulevard today will take you past most of Beijing's best-known and most-loved outlets.
Learn more
Wangfujing Street

2. Forbidden City

Beijing’s Forbidden City stretches over a massive 720,000 square metres, and was home to the emperors of China for almost five centuries. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is listed by the same organisation as the largest collection of ancient wooden structures in the world.
Learn more
Forbidden City showing a lake or waterhole, a river or creek and heritage architecture

3. Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square is one of the most iconic – and biggest – squares in the world. Palatial gates, ancient architecture and fascinating history draw hundreds of thousands of visitors every year from China and beyond. This gigantic plaza is at the heart of Beijing in more ways than one and is enclosed by many of the city’s most important attractions.
Learn more
Tiananmen Square

4. Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China Juyongguan is the closest part of these ancient fortifications to Beijing. This part, built between 770 B.C. and 221 B.C., is one of the principle mountain passes that the vast wall goes through and is called the Juyongguan Pass. Tour the historic architecture and take in the stunning vistas over the Jundu and Taihang mountains and valley.
Learn more
Great Wall of China showing night scenes, a monument and heritage elements

5. Temple of Heaven

In the south-eastern Dongcheng District of Beijing, nestled behind high walls, sits a complex of religious buildings known as the Temple of Heaven. Originally built as a ceremonial centre for dynastic emperors during the 1400s, this huge site has been open to the public since 1918 and is now a favourite tourist attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Learn more
Temple of Heaven featuring a temple or place of worship, religious aspects and a city

6. Summer Palace

The Summer Palace on the shore of Kunming Lake was built as a retreat in the 1750s by China’s last great ruling dynasty, the Qing. It later became their principal residence and, although it suffered damage during the Second Opium War and the Boxer Rebellion, it has gone on to become one of Beijing’s most-loved attractions.
Learn more
Summer Palace featuring heritage elements

What to do in Beijing

Popular places to visit

Wangfujing Street which includes a city and street scenes

Wangfujing Street

Shop ‘til you drop on one of Beijing’s best-loved shopping strips, where you’ll find everything from designer labels to cheap souvenirs.

Wangfujing Street
Great Wall of China

Great Wall of China

After visiting Great Wall of China, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Huairou. Amble around the area's parks or visit its monuments.

Great Wall of China
Forbidden City showing a lake or waterhole, a river or creek and heritage architecture

Forbidden City

This magnificent imperial palace is one of the most popular tourist sites in all of China, and is filled with many centuries of culture and art.

Forbidden City
Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square

From national celebrations to mass protests, Beijing’s main square has been the scene of many of China’s most important gatherings and is a must-see for any visitor.

Tiananmen Square
Great Wall of China showing night scenes, a monument and heritage elements

Great Wall of China

See terracotta warriors, ancient temples and Ming Dynasty architecture at the Juyongguan section of one of the most spectacular tourist attractions in the world.

Great Wall of China
Sanlitun Road

Sanlitun Road

During your trip to Beijing, you can do some window-shopping at Sanlitun Road. While in this walkable area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Sanlitun Road
Temple of Heaven featuring a temple or place of worship, religious aspects and a city

Temple of Heaven

Behind the high walls of this peaceful complex lie some of the most impressive temples in Beijing, where human sacrifices were once held to appease ancient gods.

Temple of Heaven
Summer Palace featuring heritage elements

Summer Palace

This majestic former summer residence of the Qing Dynasty is now a world heritage site and favourite Beijing attraction.

Summer Palace
The Palace Museum

The Palace Museum

You can browse the exhibits at The Palace Museum, a museum with a storied past, during your holiday in Beijing. Experience the acclaimed art galleries and fascinating museums in this culturally rich area.

The Palace Museum

Areas of Beijing

Temple of Heaven showing heritage architecture, a temple or place of worship and religious elements

Downtown Beijing

Historical sites, museums and art galleries highlight some notable features of Downtown Beijing. Make a stop by Peninsula Beijing Shopping Arcade or Intime Lotte Department Store while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Jinyu Hutong Station or Dengshikou Station to get around town.

Downtown Beijing
National Museum of China which includes signage

Wangfujing Shopping Area

Historical sites, art galleries and museums highlight some notable features of Wangfujing Shopping Area. Make a stop by Mingrui Mansion or Wangfujing Street while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Dengshikou Station or Dongsi Station to get around town.

Wangfujing Shopping Area
Dongcheng - Wangfujing

Dongcheng

4.5/5(111 area reviews)

Explore the eclectic commercial street and its enormous mall amid the fascinating sights in the heart of Beijing’s historic center.

Dongcheng
Default Image

Chaoyang

Museums, art galleries and cocktail bars highlight some notable features of Chaoyang. Make a stop by Alien's Street Trade Market or Temple of the Sun while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Dongdaqiao Station or Chaoyangmen Station to get around town.

Chaoyang
Summer Palace showing heritage elements and a river or creek

Haidian

3.5/5(8 area reviews)

Haidian is well liked for its museums and monuments. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Spacious Pavilion and Summer Palace are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Xibeiwang Station or Malianwa Station to get around.

Haidian
Dong Hua Men Night Market

Dongdan

Visitors to Dongdan love its popular shops, and you can check out Mingrui Mansion and Wangfujing Paleolithic Museum. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Dengshikou Station.

Dongdan

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Tianjin

Tianjin

Jinshanling Great Wall

Miyun

Shunyi

Shunyi

Great Wall of China showing heritage elements and a monument

Yanqing

Dong Hua Men Night Market

Langfang

Photo by Algirdas Sidiskis

Mentougou

Huairou

Huairou

Photo by Vivian Shao

Fangshan

Frequently asked questions

Is Beijing worth visiting?
Offering a blend of culture and history, there are plenty of things to do in Beijing. While you're here, head to Wangfujing Street, a leading attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Beijing?
Start your sightseeing with a visit to Wangfujing Street and Forbidden City. Then, tour other areas of Beijing for local restaurants and a little retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Beijing?
The top tourist attraction in Beijing is Wangfujing Street, so don't forget to add it to your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Beijing?
Three days will give you time to check out many city sights, including Wangfujing Street, Forbidden City and The Palace Museum. The average stay in Beijing is two days. If you have the time to extend your escape, Daxing isn't far away.
Is Beijing a walkable city?
With vibrant neighbourhoods and leading attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Beijing is a good destination to experience on foot. Enjoy wandering between Wangfujing Street and Forbidden City. Then take a stroll around Dongcheng, located 3 kilometres from the centre, and Wangfujing Shopping Area, which is roughly 3 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Beijing with kids?
Whether you're holidaying with young explorers or adventure-seeking teens, an itinerary filled with cool activities makes a big difference. Browse our recommendations for what to do in Beijing with kids.

What to do in Beijing for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food connoisseur or thrill seeker, there's no shortage of things to do in Beijing for adults including Sanlitun Road and Qianmen Street.
Are there free things to do in Beijing?
One of the simplest ways to discover free things to do in Beijing is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on interesting neighbourhoods, parks and other top attractions you can enjoy without opening your wallet. Wangfujing Street is one spot that doesn't have an admission fee.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia