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Top 10 Best Things to do in Beijing

Beijing has been the capital city of China for more than eight centuries. It is home to the finest remains of the country’s history-making it a cultural centre.

This city has a beautiful coexistence of both the old and the new. Traditional structures stand side by side with futuristic skyscrapers.

You will find traditional Chinese restaurants and modern fine dining restaurants too. Not to mention the bustling street food scene.

The Great Wall of China, Summer Palace, forbidden city, and traditional roast duck are some of the top things to include in your list. There is a previous blog on the best cities to visit in China, read it here.

Here are the top 10 best things to do in Beijing.

1. Explore the Forbidden City

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This is the crown jewel of Beijing. It was once home to the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The city is a massive compound that also served as the political centre of China for 5 centuries.

As its name suggests, not everyone was allowed it. It is no longer forbidden and millions of visitors come here annually. The city is spread over 180 acres of land with more than 8,000 rooms.

You will need a few hours to fully experience this place. Come ready to explore the city’s courtyards and the many different rooms.

2. Climb on the Great Wall and Enjoy Its Breath-taking Views

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The great wall is found on the northern part of Beijing and is about 600 kilometres long. There are eight sections of the great wall found in Beijing.

Most of these sections are well preserved, they include Badaling, Juyongguan, Huanghuacheng, Jiankou, Mutianyu, Gubeikou, Jinshanling, and Simatai.

These sections are remains from the Ming Dynasty which is remembered for its contribution in construction. As you plan your hike up the wall, remember to bring water and comfortable shoes.

You can choose the section of the wall to scale, some are difficult while others are easy. The Simati section can also be accessed at night for great views of the Wall.

3. Discover the Temple of Heaven Park

The Temple of Heaven was the royal altar where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped. It is considered to be the most holy of Beijing’s imperial temples.

It is a great place to mingle with the locals who go about their daily duties. There are those that will be practicing Tai Chi, others playing chess, singing and dancing too.

The architecture of the temple and the landscape design are part of the methodical Confucian design. This temple and park occupy 267 hectares of land.

It is at the park that the emperors would perform solemn rites regarding good harvest during winter.

4. Relax at the Summer Palace

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The summer palace in Beijing is the best place to retreat to when you need a quiet time. It is found in the north western part of the city near the suburbs.

This place is so serene and has several attractions too. There is the Kunming lake, historical monuments, museum and gardens.

One of China’s largest garden is found here. The Kunming lake has more than 16 arch bridges which offer panoramic views of the east bank and south lake island.

You will also find the long corridor which is 2,388 feet long, many tourists enjoy walking through it and taking photos.

5. Feast on Beijing Roast Duck

One of the must-do things while in Beijing is eating a Beijing roast duck, the others are the great wall and forbidden city.

The Beijing roast duck is a true definition of one of the main cuisines in the city. This meal which is similar to rotisserie chicken is served in thin crispy slices of skin and meat.

One of the famous restaurants to enjoy this meal is Quanjude chain of restaurants. They prepare the duck in the traditional method.

6. Shop at the Silk Market

China was the first country to invent silk and spin it into wearable fabric. It is, therefore, the best place to get yourself a silk garment at the silk market.

You need to have haggling skill; it will come in handy while dealing with the traders. There are other locally branded clothes and knockoff items selling cheaply.

The market is massive, its entire space is 35,000 square metres. In there you will find more than 1000 vendors and 3000 salespeople.

It is a popular market that attracts more than 50,000 visitors over the weekends.

7. Explore the 798 Art District

Walking through this area of Beijing, you will experience a modern look of the city. This place used to be military factories that were decommissioned.

It is a funky artsy place that gives an interesting contrast of the city’s past and present. There are several studios in the district with slogans and quotes from the Mao era still in place.

The studios and galleries in this area of Beijing are a favourite place for many to hang out. There are fancy cafés and bars to have relaxing breaks from your exploration.

This is also where you will find some of the best galleries in Beijing. Street art, elevated walkways and industrial architecture define this district.

8. Enjoy a Kung Fu or Acrobatics Show

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Attending a Kung Fu show in Beijing is something to look forward to. In this, this city, the Legend of Kung Fu show is a favourite of many, both locals and tourists.

It is also children friendly and has fascinating visuals and impressive martial art skills. The routines of the acrobats at the Chaoyang theatre are breathtaking.

These shows are held at night, come ready for an exciting evening for a spectacular show involving ballet, bikes, human strength, jumping hoops, rotating plates, chairs, and umbrellas.

Acrobatics and Kung Fu is an art embraced by many Chinese and has been passed down from one generation to another.

9. Enjoy the Nightlife in Sanlitun

Beijing has a vibrant nightlife and most city dwellers and tourists love to party at Sanlitun. There are several clubs, bars and shopping malls too.

If the loud bars and clubs are not for you, you could choose to go to a quiet bar for relaxed music and cocktails.

The choice of party location will depend on your budget and the crowd you want to hang out with. For a more youthful location, Wudaokou. Here, you’ll find university students and nightclubs full of single people

10. Visit Olympic Park

The Olympic Park in Beijing is full of fun activities. The birds’ nest stadium is a must-see while here.

There is an aquatic centre at the park where you can go for a swim and experience other water activities. It is at this pool, nicknamed water cube, that Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals.