Beijing 3-4 Day Essential Itinerary

Beijing packs imperial icons and living hutong neighborhoods into a city that rewards a tight 3-4 day plan. This guide focuses on the Big Three (Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace) while leaving room for old-lane wanderings, lakeside nights, and a modern finish.

Quick checklist before you arrive

• Your passport is your primary ID. You will need it for many tickets, trains, and attraction entries, so carry it daily.
• The “Big Three” apps: Alipay or WeChat Pay (link an international card), Baidu/Amap for navigation, and Didi for rides.
• Monday closures: many museums close on Mondays, and some park pavilions (Summer Palace/Temple of Heaven) also shut. Plan your core day around this.
• Reservations: the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square require advance booking. Slots can open about 7 days ahead and disappear fast, so check official channels.

Where to stay

• Dongcheng District (near Dengshikou or Beixinqiao) keeps you close to the core sights and hutong life.

Day 0 | Arrival and the soul of old Beijing

A gentle loop through the historic north.

• Morning: arrival and check-in.
• Afternoon: Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple), then the Confucius Temple and Imperial College, then Wudaoying Hutong.
• Evening: Drum and Bell Towers, Nanluoguxiang side alleys, and the Shichahai (Houhai) lakes.

Day 1 | The Great Wall at Mutianyu

• Morning: depart early (around 7:30) to beat the crowds. Mutianyu balances scenery and access.
• Route: take the cable car to Tower 14, hike up to Tower 20 (the high point), return to Tower 14, then continue the ridge to Tower 6.
• Finale: take the toboggan (slide-way) down from Tower 6.
• Evening: return to the city for dinner in Wangfujing; side malls like WF Central are a reliable stop for Peking duck.

Day 2 | The imperial core

• Morning: Tiananmen Square -> the Forbidden City (Palace Museum). Give yourself 3-4 hours, including the Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery.

Pro tip: enter through the Meridian Gate (south) and exit the Gate of Divine Prowess (north) to keep the flow.

• Afternoon: Jingshan Park for the postcard view, then Beihai Park and the White Dagoba.
• Evening: head back to Shichahai for dinner in a courtyard restaurant.

Day 3 | Summer Palace and modern Beijing

• Morning and midday: the Summer Palace. Focus on the Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Long Corridor, and the 17-Arch Bridge.

Local tip: rent a small electric boat on Kunming Lake for palace views and a break from walking crowds.

• Evening: Sanlitun (Taikoo Li) for dinner and nightlife, then the Workers’ Stadium (Gongti) bar corridor.

Optional extensions (if you have 4+ days)

Option	Best for	Highlights
A: The antique route	Art and history buffs	Temple of Heaven (early morning), Panjiayuan Flea Market (weekends), and the Qianmen/Dashilar area.
B: The modern vibe	Creatives and foodies	798 Art District and a sunset Liangma River cruise.
C: Hutong walks	Photographers	The Baitasi area (White Pagoda) for coffee with views of traditional courtyards.

Live music after dark

• MAO Livehouse: the gold standard for local indie and rock.
• School Bar: the heart of the Wudaoying punk and rock scene.
• Blue Note Beijing: jazz in a polished setting.