Planning a trip to Beijing this holiday? Grab this freshly updated Beijing travel guide—covering the top 10 must-visit attractions, reservation details, ticket info, and transportation tips all in one place! The most comprehensive Beijing sightseeing guide—essential for first-time visitors!
Beijing attractions requiring advance reservations: The Forbidden City Temple of Heaven Summer Palace Old Summer Palace Badaling Great Wall Prince Gong's Mansion Yonghe Temple Beihai Park Jingshan Park Fragrant Hills Park.
Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions in Beijing
The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City, resplendent in gold and splendor, witnessed two dynasties and three emperors spanning six centuries. Its palaces and halls stand majestic and grand, with red walls and green tiles, exquisitely ornate. Every corner conceals traces of past prosperity, and the weight of history envelops you.
📍Address: No. 4 Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
💰Admission: Adult ticket: 60 RMB per person
⏰ Reservations: Tickets available for purchase 7 days in advance (Closed Mondays)
🚗 Transportation: Take Subway Line 1 to Tian'anmen East Station, Exit B
Temple of Heaven
Situated along Beijing's central axis, the Temple of Heaven stands as a treasure of ancient Chinese architecture, exuding imperial grandeur while vividly embodying the “heaven is round, earth is square” artistic concept. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, with its red walls and blue tiles, makes for a stunning photo backdrop!
📍Address: No. 7, Dongli, Temple of Heaven, Dongcheng District, Beijing
💰 Admission: Combined ticket: ¥34/person; Main gate ticket: ¥15/person
⏰ Reservations: Tickets available for purchase up to 7 days in advance
🚗 Transportation: Take Subway Line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen Station (or Subway Line 8; multiple bus routes also provide direct access)
Summer Palace
When visiting Beijing, how could you miss the imperial garden of the Summer Palace? This is the most well-preserved imperial retreat and garden, featuring dazzling lakes and mountains, elegant ancient pavilions and towers. Strolling through it feels like walking through a painting.
📍Address: No. 19 Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing
💰Ticket: Combined ticket 60 RMB/person; Main gate ticket 30 RMB/person
⏰Reservation: Tickets available for purchase 7 days in advance (Closed Mondays)
🚗Transportation: Take Subway Line 4 to North Palace Gate Station
The Old Summer Palace
Half awe-inspiring, half heartbreaking. Once the “Garden of Gardens,” this magnificent imperial estate shone with dazzling splendor. Today, its crumbling ruins offer a profound glimpse into its storied past.
📍Address: No. 28 Qinghua West Road, Haidian District, Beijing
💰Ticket: Comprehensive ticket 25 RMB/person; Main gate ticket 10 RMB/person
⏰Reservation: Tickets available for purchase 10 days in advance
🚗Transportation: Take Subway Line 4 to Yuanmingyuan Station
Badaling Great Wall
He who has not been to the Great Wall is not a true hero—you must climb Badaling at least once! As a crucial outpost of Juyong Pass, it's famously praised as “Juyong's peril lies not in the pass itself, but in Badaling.” Ascend to gaze upon the ancient wisdom and marvel at this magnificent wonder. The towering, rugged Great Wall winds through rolling mountains, creating a breathtakingly awe-inspiring sight!
📍Address: North entrance of Guandao Ancient Road, Jundu Mountain, Yanqing District, Beijing
💰Ticket: 40 RMB per adult (cable car not included)
⏰Reservation: Tickets available for purchase up to 11 days in advance
🚗Transportation: Take Bus 877 or 919 from Deshengmen, or reach via intercity rail, high-speed rail, or the Badaling Express Line.
Prince Gong's Mansion
One mansion, half the Qing dynasty's history. The mansion's layout is meticulously designed, with the front section comprising a magnificent residence and the rear featuring a secluded, picturesque classical garden. Strolling through the grounds, the lavish and breathtaking scenery of the mansion leaves visitors in awe!
📍Address: No. 17 Qianhai West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
💰Ticket: 40 RMB per adult
⏰Reservation: Tickets available for purchase up to 11 days in advance (Closed Mondays)
🚗Transportation: Take Subway Line 6 to Beihai North Station
Yonghe Temple
A sacred sanctuary where incense burns brightly. Yonghe Temple stands as Beijing's largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Its yellow-tiled roofs and red walls form a magnificent, opulent structure exuding imperial grandeur. Light incense and offer prayers here, wishing for all your desires to be fulfilled.
📍Address: No. 12 Yonghegong Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
💰Admission: Adult ticket: ¥25 per person
⏰ Booking: Tickets available for purchase up to 9 days in advance
🚗 Transportation: Take Subway Line 5 or Line 2 to Yonghegong Station
Beihai Park
A must-visit destination in Beijing, Beihai Park stands as China's best-preserved classical imperial garden. Steeped in history and cultural heritage, it boasts breathtaking natural scenery. The majestic White Pagoda, verdant trees, vermilion walls, and intricately arranged pavilions and towers create a picturesque landscape at every turn.
📍Address: No. 1 Wenjin Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
💰Admission: Combined ticket: ¥20/person; Main gate ticket: ¥10/person (peak season pricing)
⏰Reservations: Tickets available for purchase up to 7 days in advance
🚗Transportation: Take Subway Line 6 to Beihai North Station (multiple bus routes also provide direct access)
Jingshan Park
Jingshan Park served as the imperial garden during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Its refined and picturesque scenery is renowned, with the most famous feature being the unique view of the Forbidden City from Jingshan Hill. Ascend the Wangchun Pavilion to overlook the resplendent Forbidden City—an absolutely stunning and awe-inspiring sight!
📍Address: No. 44, Jing Shan West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
💰Admission: 2 RMB per adult
⏰Reservations: Tickets available for purchase up to 7 days in advance
🚗Transportation: Take Bus 111, Tram 124, or Bus 58 to “Jingshan East Gate” stop. Walk 200 meters to reach the park.
Fragrant Hills Park
One of China's top four maple-viewing destinations, Fragrant Hills bursts with fiery red maple leaves blanketing the mountainsides. The vibrant, kaleidoscopic display resembles an overturned painter's palette. Peak viewing occurs from mid-October to early November.
📍Address: No. 40 Maimai Street, Fragrant Hills Park, Haidian District, Beijing
💰 Admission: 10 RMB/adult (5 RMB/adult during off-peak season)
⏰ Reservations: Tickets available for purchase 7 days in advance
🚗 Transportation: Take Bus 318, 331, 360, or 698 to “Xiangshan” stop, then walk to the park
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