Quỳnh Nguyễn · reviewed on
Short answer: plan 4 to 5 days in Beijing, 3 at the very least. The Forbidden City sells no tickets at the gate: booking opens at 20:00 Beijing time, 7 days before your visit, with your passport, and costs 60 yuan from April to October. For a first Great Wall visit I recommend Mutianyu, and the easiest bases are Wangfujing or Qianmen.
I'm Quỳnh, a Vietnamese-speaking guide living in Chaoyang District, Beijing. This guide answers, one by one, the questions travellers ask most before a Beijing trip.
ℹ️ Updated 05/10/2026. Opening hours, prices and booking rules come from the official sites of the Palace Museum, the Beijing government and Mutianyu (see Sources). Rules can change, so check again before you go.
How many days in Beijing is enough?
4 to 5 days is right, 3 at the very least. The Great Wall lies outside the city and takes a full day, the Forbidden City needs at least half a day, and the rest goes to the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the hutongs and food.
| Days | Enough for | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | Forbidden City and Jingshan, the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace | Multi-city trips |
| 4 to 5 days | Add the Summer Palace, hutongs, Peking Opera, the 798 Art District, a rest afternoon | First visits, families with older parents |
| 6 days or more | Add Gubei Water Town or a second Great Wall section | Slow travellers, photographers |
A 5-day Beijing itinerary
| Day | Morning | Afternoon and evening |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive, check in | Hutong walk, Peking duck dinner |
| 2 | Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City (enter via the Meridian Gate) | Climb Jingshan Park for the view, evening in Wangfujing |
| 3 | Mutianyu Great Wall, leave around 7:00 | Back to the city, early night |
| 4 | Temple of Heaven | Summer Palace |
| 5 | 798 Art District or shopping | Airport |
Pick your days carefully: the Forbidden City is closed on Mondays (except public holidays), so day 2 must not fall on a Monday. Tickets open 7 days ahead, so lock in your flights first, then set an alarm for the release time. With only 3 days, drop days 4 and 5 and add the Temple of Heaven on the afternoon of day 1 if you land early.
Beijing is also the first stop of my 7-day Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou itinerary and my 10-day China itinerary.
Do I need to book Forbidden City tickets in advance?
Yes, always. The Palace Museum (the Forbidden City) does not sell tickets on the day of your visit; every visitor, including those entitled to free or reduced entry, must book ahead under their real name. Foreign visitors book and enter with their passport.
- Use the official channel: bookingticket.dpm.org.cn (in English) or the "The Palace Museum" mini-program. The museum has not authorised any third party to sell its tickets.
- Book at release time: tickets go on sale at 20:00 Beijing time, 7 days before the visit date, and are valid only on that date.
- Enter each traveller's passport number: each passport can book one ticket per day, so you need everyone's passport number to book for a family.
- Pay with an international bank card, Alipay or WeChat Pay.
- On the day: bring your original passport and enter through the Meridian Gate (south gate).
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Ticket price | 60 yuan from April 1 to October 31; 40 yuan from November 1 to March 31 |
| Treasure Gallery, Gallery of Clocks | 10 yuan extra each |
| Opening hours | 8:30-17:00, last entry 16:00 (April 1 to October 31); 8:30-16:30, last entry 15:30 (November 1 to March 31) |
| Closed | Mondays, except public holidays |
| Daily cap | 40,000 visitors |
| Refunds | Before midnight the day before, through the channel you booked with |
Because of the 40,000-visitor cap, book on release night for holidays and autumn weekends. The palace measures 961 m from north to south and 753 m from east to west: allow half a day for the central axis from the Meridian Gate to the Imperial Garden, a full day if you add the Treasure Gallery and the Gallery of Clocks. The north exit (Gate of Divine Prowess) faces Jingshan Park, the hill immediately north of the palace and the best viewpoint over its golden roofs.
Which Great Wall section is best, Mutianyu or Badaling?
For a first visit I recommend Mutianyu: a Ming dynasty section with an enclosed cable car up, an alpine slide down, more than 96% vegetation cover, and usually fewer people than Badaling. Badaling is the most famous section, about 60 km northwest of the city; its big advantages are no reservation needed and free entry for visitors aged 60 and over.
| Mutianyu | Badaling | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Mutianyu Village, Huairou District | Yanqing District, about 60 km northwest of the city |
| Opening hours | 7:30-18:00 weekdays, 7:30-18:30 weekends (peak season, March 16 to November 15, 2026) | 6:30-16:30 (April 1 to October 31); 7:30-16:00 (November 1 to March 31) |
| Tickets | Sold online on the official site; ticket sales end at 17:00 on weekdays, 17:30 at weekends | 40 yuan (April to October), 35 yuan (November to March); no reservation, tickets sold on site |
| Free entry | See the official site | Under 18s, visitors aged 60+ with proof of age, disabled visitors |
| Strengths | Enclosed cable car, alpine slide, over 96% vegetation, usually quieter | Most famous section, UNESCO World Heritage since 1987, opens at 6:30 in high season |
| Best for | First visits, families with children, photos | Parents aged 60+ who want free entry |
Jinshanling, the section on this guide's cover photo, is also beautiful and quieter than Badaling. Whichever section you choose, carry your passport: it is your proof of age for free entry.
How do I get from Beijing to the Great Wall?
There are three ways, depending on budget and energy:
- Public bus (Mutianyu): take Express Bus 916 from the Dongzhimen transport hub to Huairoubeidajie, then change to bus H23, H3 or H71 to the Mutianyujingqu stop. Cheap, but it means a transfer and signs mostly in Chinese.
- Private car with driver: pickup at your hotel, at the time you choose; the easiest option for families and older travellers.
- Shared day tour: cheaper than a private car but on the group's schedule. Ask beforehand whether the itinerary includes shopping stops.
At Mutianyu, you walk through a commercial street and then take a shuttle bus up to the wall. I suggest leaving around 7:00 to reach the wall before the crowds. The official site also suggests an easy route: cable car up to Watchtower 14, a walk to Watchtower 15, and the cable car back down.
How do I get from Daxing or Capital airport to central Beijing?
Beijing has two international airports, Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX). Both have a rail link into the city, so choose your airport on flight times and fares, then plan the ride to your hotel with the table below.
| Daxing Airport (PKX) | Capital Airport (PEK) | |
|---|---|---|
| Rail | Daxing Airport subway line: board on level B1, ride to Caoqiao and change to Line 10 or Line 19 | Airport Express, 25 yuan per person: stops at Sanyuanqiao (Line 10), Dongzhimen (Lines 2 and 13), Beixinqiao (Line 5) |
| Hours | From the airport 6:00-23:00, about every 9 min 20 s | From Terminal 3 6:22-22:52, from Terminal 2 6:36-23:10 |
| Airport buses | City bus waiting area inside Gate 20, east side of the first floor | T2: ticket counter outside Gate 11, first floor; T3: inside Gate 1, first floor |
| Ride-hailing | Level 1M of the P1 car park, via the level 2 corridor | T2: southeast side of the first floor of the T2 car park; T3: Area H, level B2 of the T3 car park |
Right at the international arrivals exit of both airports, a Beijing Service counter helps with SIM cards, mobile payment apps, attraction tickets and directions. At Daxing, the counter has self-service machines selling airport rail and bus tickets with your ID, with staff to help. If you land late, watch the last train: at Daxing, ticket sales and gate checks stop 5 minutes before it leaves.
Where should I stay in Beijing for the first time?
For a first visit, stay in Wangfujing or Qianmen: the Forbidden City is a walk or a few metro stops away. With parents or for shopping, choose Wangfujing, just east of the palace; for old streets and snacks, choose Qianmen.
| Area | Pros | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Wangfujing, Dongdan | Next to the Forbidden City, shopping street, many international hotels | Rooms usually cost more |
| Qianmen | Near Tiananmen Square, old streets, plenty of duck restaurants | Busy with sightseers in the evening |
| Shichahai, Gulou | Small hotels in the hutongs, by the lakes | Narrow lanes, cars cannot always reach the door |
| Dongzhimen | The Airport Express to Capital airport and Express Bus 916 to Mutianyu both stop here | Less old-town atmosphere |
| Sanlitun, Guomao (Chaoyang) | International restaurants, business district, nightlife | Farther from the Forbidden City |
I live in Chaoyang, so if you stay around Guomao or Sanlitun for business, pickups are easy.
Where to eat Peking duck in Beijing
Peking duck comes with thin pancakes, scallion, cucumber and sweet bean sauce. The best-known names:
- Quanjude (全聚德) and Bianyifang (便宜坊): two long-established duck brands with several branches.
- Siji Minfu (四季民福) and Da Dong (大董): a more modern style.
Book ahead for larger groups, weekends and holidays. Beyond duck, try zhajiangmian (noodles in fermented bean sauce), mutton hotpot in a clear broth, jianbing (the breakfast crepe) and one imperial cuisine meal.
When is the best time to visit Beijing?
April to May and September to early November are the best months: dry, mild, with golden leaves in the parks in autumn. Summer is hot with heavy rain; winter is very cold and dry, but a snowy Great Wall is beautiful.
In 2026, avoid the Labour Day holiday (May 1 to 5) and National Day week (October 1 to 7) set by the State Council: that is when Forbidden City tickets sell out fastest. Month by month: best time to visit China.
Visiting Beijing with elderly parents: what to plan
My rule: spread the hard days out, pick a Great Wall section with a cable car, and prepare documents for each person.
- Never combine the Forbidden City and the Great Wall in one day. The palace is 961 m long and you enter through the Meridian Gate; following the central axis to the north gate is enough, there is no need to see every side courtyard.
- Book a morning slot. Forbidden City tickets come in morning (check in by 12:00) and afternoon (from 11:00) sessions; in summer, mornings are more comfortable.
- One passport per person when booking, and keep the originals with you throughout the trip.
- At Mutianyu, take the enclosed cable car to Watchtower 14. The official site recommends this route for a light, easy visit.
- Badaling is free for visitors aged 60 and over with proof of age.
- If you need help: call Beijing's 12345 hotline (round the clock), or use the GO BEIJING mini-app in the international version of Alipay (39 services, 16 languages).
Is the Beijing subway easy to use, or do I need DiDi?
Yes, it is easy. The subway is extensive, clean and signposted in English, and Beijing is the world's first city where you can tap a bank card from any of five major international card networks at the subway gates. Use the subway in the centre, DiDi (booked inside Alipay) in the evening or with family, and a private car for the Great Wall day.
Set up payments and data before you fly: see Alipay and WeChat Pay in China and SIM, eSIM, VPN and apps.
Do I need a visa for Beijing?
It depends on your passport. French ordinary passport holders can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days until 31/12/2026 (diplomatie.gouv.fr). Vietnamese travellers on a return trip need a tourist (L) visa (visa guide); since 20/08/2026 they can use the 240-hour visa-free transit, including through Beijing, but only with an onward ticket to a third country (en.nia.gov.cn).
Should I hire a private guide and driver in Beijing?
Central Beijing is easy on your own once your apps are set up. The two days where a guide and driver help most are the Forbidden City (booking, history) and the Great Wall (car, route). More in travel independently or hire a guide.
I'm Quỳnh Nguyễn, a Beijing-based guide speaking Vietnamese, English and Mandarin. I guide groups of 1 to 8 across China, plan whole trips, and arrange airport pickup, a private driver, a Chinese SIM and interpreting for meetings or shopping. There is no fixed day rate: I quote per trip. See services or request a quote. Market rates are compiled in hiring a Vietnamese-speaking guide in China.
Sources
- Palace Museum, opening hours, prices, daily cap: intl.dpm.org.cn
- Palace Museum, official booking site and booking rules: bookingticket.dpm.org.cn
- Beijing government, Palace Museum visitor rules: english.beijing.gov.cn
- Beijing government, Badaling (hours, prices, free entry): english.beijing.gov.cn
- Beijing government, Mutianyu (location, buses): english.beijing.gov.cn
- Mutianyu Great Wall, 2026 opening hours and routes: en.mutianyugreatwall.com
- Visit Beijing, airport to city transport: english.visitbeijing.com.cn
- Beijing government, Beijing Service counter at Daxing: english.beijing.gov.cn
- Beijing government, guide for foreign visitors (07/05/2026): english.beijing.gov.cn
- State Council, 2026 public holidays: english.www.gov.cn
- Entry rules: en.nia.gov.cn, diplomatie.gouv.fr
Frequently asked questions
How many days in Beijing is enough?
Plan 4 to 5 days, or 3 at the very least for the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven or the Summer Palace. The Great Wall takes a full day because it lies outside the city, and the Forbidden City needs at least half a day. With elderly parents, allow 5 days so you can keep a rest afternoon.
Which Great Wall section is best, Mutianyu or Badaling?
For a first visit I recommend Mutianyu: an enclosed cable car takes you up, an alpine slide brings you down, and it is usually less crowded than Badaling. Badaling, about 60 km northwest of the city, costs 40 yuan in high season, needs no reservation and is free for visitors aged 60 and over with proof of age.
Do I need to book Forbidden City tickets in advance?
Yes. The Palace Museum sells no same-day tickets, so every visitor books ahead under their real name; foreigners book and enter with their passport on the official site bookingticket.dpm.org.cn or the Palace Museum mini-program. Tickets go on sale at 20:00 Beijing time, 7 days before the visit, and each passport can book only one ticket per day. The museum is closed on Mondays except public holidays.
How do I get from Daxing airport to Beijing city centre?
The easiest option is the Daxing Airport subway line: board on level B1 of the terminal, ride to Caoqiao and change to Line 10 or Line 19. Trains leave the airport from 6:00 to 23:00, about every 9 minutes 20 seconds. Airport buses wait inside Gate 20 on the first floor, and ride-hailing pickup is on level 1M of the P1 car park.
Where should I stay in Beijing for the first time?
Wangfujing or Qianmen: both put the Forbidden City within walking distance or a few metro stops, and Wangfujing lies just east of the palace. Dongzhimen suits travellers using Capital airport or heading to Mutianyu by bus, since the Airport Express and Express Bus 916 both stop there. Sanlitun and Guomao in Chaoyang are best for restaurants, business and nightlife.
Should I hire a private guide and driver in Beijing?
It pays off on two days: the Forbidden City, where booking rules and the sheer size catch people out, and the Great Wall, where public transport to Mutianyu means Express Bus 916 plus a local bus. Our guide, Quỳnh Nguyễn, lives in Beijing and speaks Vietnamese, English and Mandarin; she guides groups of 1 to 8 and arranges a private driver. There is no fixed day rate: we quote per trip.
