Beijing in 3 days

Trip at a glance

Your first day

Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.

Day 1: The Forbidden City, Jingshan and Shichahai

The imperial palace from south to north, a hilltop view over its roofs, then the lakes and lanes of old Beijing.

Check the weekday. Palace Museum (Forbidden City) is closed on Mondays.

1
8:30 AMBook aheadPalace Museum (Forbidden City)Enter by the Meridian Gate with the passport you booked with and walk north. Allow about 3 hours.About 3 hours here
Apr to Oct: CN¥60 (about $9) · Nov to Mar: CN¥40 (about $6) · Book online ahead; no same-day tickets
Official fees: The Palace MuseumLast verified Nov 3, 2026
Search tickets and tours on KlookOpens Klook. TravPa earns a commission.
Walk about 10 min
2
11:45 AMJingshan ParkClimb the small hill behind the palace for the classic view over its yellow roofs.About 30 min here
Adult, standard: CN¥2 (about $1) · Pay at the gate; exhibition periods cost more
Official fees: Beijing Municipal People's GovernmentLast verified Nov 3, 2026
Walk about 20 min
3
12:30 PMDi'anmen Outer StreetLunch on lamb paomo at Old Xi'an Restaurant or braised chicken at the Huguosi Snacks branch here.About 1 hour 30 min here
Pay as you go
Walk about 5 min
4
2:00 PMShichahai lakeside at Yinding BridgeWalk the lakeshore to the Yinding Bridge, then wander the hutongs around the lakes.About 1 hour 15 min here
Free to visit
Walk about 15 min
5
3:30 PMOptionalBeihai ParkCross to Qionghua Island in the middle of the lake; the park stays open into the evening.About 2 hours 15 min here
Basic park entry, Apr to Oct: CN¥10 (about $2) · Basic park entry, Nov to Mar: CN¥5 (about $1) · Pay at the gate
Official fees: Beijing Municipal People's GovernmentLast verified Nov 3, 2026
Taxi about 20 min
6
6:00 PMHuguosi StreetEat halal Beijing snacks at the Huguosi Snacks flagship, open since 1956, or meat pies at Huifeng.
Pay as you go

Before you go

Book these aheadPalace Museum (Forbidden City) (day 1), Beijing North Railway Station (day 2): timed tickets, or tickets that often sell out.
Carry your passport dailyMuseums, parks and trains check tickets against your name and passport number, so keep the passport you booked with on you.
Set up mobile paymentLink a Visa, Mastercard or other foreign card to Alipay, WeChat Pay or UnionPay before you go, and carry some yuan cash too.
Plan around MondaysMany big sights close on Mondays except public holidays, including the Palace Museum, Yu Garden and the Shanghai Museum. Swap days if needed.
Book trains earlyHigh-speed tickets go on sale about 15 days ahead and sell out around holidays. Book on 12306 with your exact passport name.
Check your chargersChina runs on 220 V. Check the label before plugging in: a device marked only 120 V will be damaged.

Where to stay for this plan

Stay near Shichahai or the east side of the Forbidden City: the first day is on foot, and Beijing North station is a short taxi ride away.

Hotels in Beijing

Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.

Plan last checked Nov 3, 2026. Check individual fee sources before you go. TravPa earns a commission when you book through a partner; your price stays the same.