Itineraries for Your Trip to Beijing
1 Day in Beijing for First Timers
Beijing is one of the world’s great cities. An imperial capital that’s rich in monuments, vast in scale, and ancient in history, it offers almost endless possibilities for sightseeing. I remember my first visit to the Chinese city as a whirlwind of vivid experiences: hiking the Great Wall of China, visiting the Forbidden City imperial palace complex, seeing the Summer Palace, and savoring hearty feasts of hotpot and Peking duck.
If you’ve only got one day in Beijing to spare, it might sound daunting to fit it all in—but with careful planning, you can still experience many of the city’s best-known attractions on a day trip. Here’s how to spend one day in Beijing for first timers.
Beijing experiences all four seasons, including icy winters and sweltering summers—pack accordingly.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the Forbidden City and nearby Jingshan Park.
One of the best things to do in Beijing for first-timers is exploring the Great Wall of China—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Wonder of the World. While many trips to the icon require a full day, it’s possible to squeeze in an early-morning, half-day excursion to the well-preserved Mutianyu section (and beat the crowds in the process). Book a tour that includes round-trip transit from central Beijing, admission tickets, and a guide for a hassle-free experience. After strolling along the wall, you can even enjoy a speedy toboggan or cable car ride.
No trip is complete without exploring the Forbidden City—one of the must-see attractions in Beijing. Dating back to the 15th century, the vast palace complex, another UNESCO site, was home to Ming and Qing dynasty emperors for some 500 years. Given the Forbidden City’s scale and wealth of history, you’ll get the most out of visiting on a guided, afternoon tour. Discover highlights like the Imperial Garden, Hall of Supreme Harmony, and Palace of Heavenly Purity—and even extend the experience with a side trip to nearby Tiananmen Square and its portrait of Mao Zedong, just a short walk away.
After a day of high-octane sightseeing, it’s worth slowing down somewhat—but since this is a 1-day Beijing itinerary, you’ll still want to maximize your time in town. Get the balance right when you book tickets to an evening food and beer tour that invites you into the city’s atmospheric hutongs (historic, narrow alleyways that are home to independent businesses). Sample everything from noodles to hotpot at tucked-away restaurants you’d be unlikely to find on your own—and wash it all down with a frothy glass of local beer.
