Smart Value Beijing: Classic Sights & Hidden Alleys

In the morning, your guide will be waiting for you in your hotel lobby. Once you meet, head straight to Tiananmen Square, where all the nation’s grand ceremonies and celebrations have been held since ancient times. Let’s take Line 14 from Jingtai station to Yongdingmenwai station, then transfer to Line 8 to Qianmen station, which takes about 40 minutes in total. After arriving, take in the solemn landmarks, including the National Museum, Great Hall of the People, Monument to the People's Heroes, and Chairman Mao’s Memorial Hall.  

Walk through the Tiananmen Tower, and we’ll get to the resplendent Forbidden City, the UNESCO-rated world’s largest palatial architecture, which was the home of 24 emperors from 1420 to 1911 AD. With your guide, delve into the main palaces and halls along the traditional central axis. Standing before the Hall of Supreme Harmony, once the most important venue for emperors’ royal ceremonies like enthronement and wedding, you may be surprised to find not a single bird on its golden roof. That is because the roof is built with a very steep slope and covered with smooth glazed tiles coated with arsenic to prevent any living beings from approaching and blaspheming this structure, which symbolizes the supreme imperial power. 

Lunch is not included. You can grab a light bite at the Corner Tower Cafe near the Gate of Divine Prowess, the exit of the Forbidden City. Or, your guide can recommend some quick, affordable local Beijing specialties, such as Riverbank Meat Pie or Noodles with Soybean Paste. Afterward, let’s go on a 5-minute walk north to Jingshan Park, nicknamed the ‘millennium viewing platform of the Forbidden City’. Climbing to the top of the core Jingshan Hill and leaning against the railing of Wanchun Pavilion, you’ll be awestruck by the panoramic view of the Forbidden City with its wave-like golden tiles in the south, the Bell and Drum Towers used for morning and evening timekeeping in the north, as well as the modern skyscrapers and distinctive grey-tiled quadrangle courtyards in old Hutong alleys complement each other on the east and west sides.

After another 5-minute walk, we’ll visit the 1,000-year-old Beihai Park, one of China’s oldest and best-preserved imperial gardens. Upon entry, the shimmering blue waters of Beihai Lake immediately calm your spirit. It was once a source of ice blocks for the imperial palace’s summer cooling and a venue for winter figure skating performances for the royal family. Gaze up at the iconic White Pagoda, perched halfway up the slope of a small island in the lake, harmoniously blending with the surrounding green trees. A stroll along the lake leads to the Five-Dragon Pavilions linked by an S-shaped corridor. Here, the emperor would fish and enjoy the moonlight - and since the emperor is revered as a dragon in Chinese culture, the pavilions carry this auspicious name. Also, we won’t let you miss the double-sided glazed Nine-Dragon Screen, where dragons playing with pearls appear vividly lifelike, exuding royal grandeur.

Next, let’s get on Bus 107 from the park gate for three stops to North Gong and Drum Lane, a historic hutong alley untouched by commercialism, unlike the more famous South Gong and Drum Lane and Shichahai Area. Here, you can escape the crowds and experience the most authentic old Beijing hutong life. The lane is lined with classic quadrangle courtyards, where mossy brick walls and dappled locust-tree shadows turn every scene into a story. When passing the ancient Bell and Drum Towers, pause to admire and photograph their grandeur. Then we’ll enter Baochao Hutong, named after a currency exchange office established in the 13th-14th centuries to collect and replace old banknotes. As we walk past the Prince Na’s Mansion, once home to a Mongol prince, learn from your guide about its former glory and splendor.

Finally, your guide will escort you back to your hotel. If you’d prefer to continue exploring and have dinner here on your own, feel free to return to your hotel by yourself later. FYI: Take Metro Line 8 from nearby Gulou Dajie station for 9 stops to Yongdingmenwai station, transfer to Line 14 for 2 stops to Jingtai station, and you’ll reach your hotel - total trip: about 1 hour.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven (3 stars)

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will accompany you from Jingtai station on Metro Line 14, transfer to the Daxing Line of Line 4 at Beijing South station, then continue to Xizhimen, and finally catch a high-speed train to Badaling Great Wall, the most famous section of the Great Wall in Beijing. The whole trip takes about 2.5 hours - an hour faster and more comfortable than the bus.

Upon arrival, let’s officially begin the Great Wall hike, conquering this barrier the Huns once failed to cross. Badaling was first built six centuries ago, originally stretching about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), but natural erosion and human damage took their toll. Since 1953, over 30 years of scientific restoration have revived a 7.6-kilometer (4.7-mile) highlight section. Here, your guide will walk you through the legends of ancient defense: the wall rises to 8.5 meters (28 feet), with evenly spaced crenels and arrow marks of varying depths telling tales of past battles; the 6-meter-wide (20-foot) path is paved with time-worn grey bricks; and the arrow windows on the watchtowers remain well preserved. It’s advisable to start with the northern route to tackle Hero Slope’s nearly 78-degree steep steps, experiencing the true spirit of ‘he who has not been to the Great Wall is not a true man.’ After reaching the highest point, North 8th Watchtower, enjoy stunning panoramic views across the seasons: blossoms bursting like a palette in spring, and layers of fiery red leaves in autumn.On our way back downtown, we’ll pass by the National Stadium and National Aquatics Center, better known as the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. The two high-tech venues have hosted major international sports events, including the Olympic Games. Let’s enjoy a short photo time at close quarters here. Then, your guide will escort you back to your hotel. But if you’d rather stay on your own to wait for the lights to come on and enjoy the night view, you can take a taxi back to your hotel afterwards. The ride takes about 40 minutes and costs around USD 7.5.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven (3 stars)

In the morning, depart from your hotel with your guide for an hour-long metro journey: take Line 14 from Jingtai station, transfer to Daxing Line of Line 4 at Beijing South station, and finally arrive at Beijing Zoo, China’s oldest public zoo. Here, the adorable giant pandas are especially delightful to watch. In popular perception, giant pandas are quiet animals that rarely make sounds. Actually, however, they have a rich and diverse vocal system, capable of producing up to 12 distinct calls depending on their emotions, physiological state, and social context. For instance, they bleat like sheep when seeking cubs, expressing desires, or courting; bark when startled; and growl when attacking.

After that, let’s take the Metro Daxing Line of Line 4 for around 40 minutes to the Summer Palace, the largest existing royal garden in China. Once a summer retreat for the imperial family from April to October, it features classic Chinese garden elements - mountains, lakes, bridges, and ancient architecture. Follow your guide up the Longevity Hill to the iconic Tower of Buddhist Incense, which houses a bronze Buddha statue. Legend has it that the Buddha’s head originally had a missing piece, which was later accidentally fished out of the Kunming Lake in front of the hill - and the two halves fit together perfectly, leaving the mystery unsolved.

Then, continue our visit to a popular indoor market, Silk Street, which can be reached within 1.5 hours by taking the Daxing Line of Line 4 and transferring to Line 1 Batong Line. Once an open-air alley in the 1980s famous for silk and handicrafts, it has since evolved into a large mall beloved by foreign visitors for its bargaining culture and treasure-hunting vibe. Take the chance to chat with English-speaking staff about items you love, such as exquisite Chinese cheongsam, various tea leaves, or silk scarves.

Following that, let’s take the Metro Line 17 for 20 minutes to Taikoo Li Sanlitun, Beijing’s trendiest open-air district, for a stylish adventure. From international fashion brands to artistic cafes and bars, and then to a variety of exotic restaurants, this multiverse hidden within the concrete jungle will exceed all your expectations. After a short stroll, your guide will escort you back to your hotel. Alternatively, you can choose to stay here for dinner on your own, or head to the nearby Workers' Stadium Bar Street for nightlife. If you choose to stay out, you can finally return to your hotel via a 1-hour metro ride by yourself: Line 17 to Shilihe station, and transfer to Line 14 to Jingtai station.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven (3 stars)

This morning, set off from your hotel with your guide, walk to Puhuangyu station, take Metro Line 5 to Dongdan station, then transfer to Line 1 Batong Line to Tiananmen East station, and exit at Exit C. This 45-minute trip brings us to the National Museum, the nation’s top institution for preserving, studying, and displaying Chinese culture, with over 1.43 million artifacts. Among them, especially marvel at the Houmuwu Square Cauldron. Cast over 3,000 years ago by a king in honor of his mother, this bronze masterpiece stands at the pinnacle of China’s ancient metallurgy, adorned with intricate animal and dragon motifs. Also, behold the empress’s ceremonial crown, decorated with 9 golden dragons, 9 phoenixes in kingfisher feather inlay, and thousands of rubies and pearls, revealing the opulence of the Chinese imperial court from the 14th to the 17th century. 

Finally, your guide will accompany you back to your hotel to collect your luggage, and then escort you to the airport or railway station via metro or taxi for your departure.

► Note: It is recommended that you book a flight or high-speed train departing after 16:00. Your guide will also flexibly adjust your visit duration of the National Museum to fit your schedule.

Meals: Breakfast► Extension Inspirations:
Got 1 or 2 days left in Beijing? Check out these free or budget-friendly spots: For culture exhibitions, don’t miss the Capital Museum and the Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum; for a relaxing getaway, consider Xihai Wetland Park, Ming City Wall Relics Park, or Longtan Park; food lovers can head to Huguosi Snack Street or Guijie Night Market. Feel free to reach out to your travel consultant for a tailor-made itinerary.