Visit Beijing
The Forbidden City palace roofs seen from Jingshan Park

Beijing destinations

From imperial palaces to the Great Wall, here's where to go and where to stay. Not sure which area suits you? Compare areas.

Golden-roofed hall of the Forbidden City behind white marble balustrades under a blue sky

Forbidden City & Tiananmen

Five centuries of emperors ruled from this 980-building palace complex. Tickets are released online seven days ahead and sell out — book before you fly.

The Great Wall at Mutianyu winding along a ridge through autumn trees

Great Wall at Mutianyu

The best-balanced Great Wall section: beautifully restored, far less crowded than Badaling and about 90 minutes from central Beijing.

The circular triple-roofed Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Where emperors prayed for good harvests. Come early to see locals practising tai chi, singing and playing cards among the cypress trees.

The Tower of Buddhist Incense on Longevity Hill rising above Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace

Summer Palace

A sprawling royal retreat of pavilions, covered walkways and Kunming Lake — the perfect slow day away from the city centre.

A quiet grey-brick hutong lane with a traditional red-framed house in Beijing

Hutongs & Houhai

Grey-brick alleyways, courtyard homes and lakeside bars around Houhai, Nanluoguxiang and the Drum and Bell Towers.

The CITIC Tower and glass skyscrapers of Beijing's Central Business District

Sanlitun & CBD

Modern Beijing in Chaoyang district: the China Zun tower, Sanlitun's shopping and bar scene, and the city's top international hotels.

The steel lattice of the Bird's Nest national stadium in Beijing Olympic Park

Olympic Park

Home of the 2008 and 2022 Games, with landmark architecture that looks best lit up after dark.