Things to do in Beijing

Best Things to do in Beijing

Planning a trip and wondering about the top things to do in Beijing? From historic landmarks to modern experiences, the city offers something for every traveller, making it a perfect getaway in 2026.

With over 3216 activities in Beijing, there is plenty to explore. Visit some of the most popular tourist attractions in , including iconic sites, vibrant neighbourhoods and cultural hubs. Whether you’re exploring bustling markets, sampling local delicacies or relaxing at scenic spots, every corner has something new to discover.

With experiences starting at INR 271, it’s never been easier to plan your perfect trip. Make the most of your visit to Beijing in January and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Top Things to Do in Beijing for a Trip Full of History and Culture

About Beijing

Beijing is a city that carries history in every corner while still blending modern side. The Forbidden City, hutongs, and the Great Wall remind you of its imperial past, while busy streets, shopping districts, and art zones keep it current. It’s a mix that makes travelling here both fascinating and easy to enjoy.

If you’re new, the top attractions like Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, and the Great Wall will likely be first on your list. But there are also other attractions here like walking through hutong alleys, stopping at tea houses, or trying local bites in small markets. No matter how long you’re here, the range of things to do in Beijing makes the city worth exploring at every pace.

The best part about Beijing is how much it offers. That balance of old and new keeps the city full of surprises.

Unique Experiences

Calligraphy & Dumpling Combo in Hutong Courtyard

This is a proper Beijing experience with calligraphy in a traditional courtyard and dumpling-making with a host family. It captures hands-on craft and food, giving you a memory that’s both personal and rooted in local culture.

• Where: Hutong courtyard home, where you’ll do calligraphy then cook dumplings
• Pricing: It starts from INR 15,000 per person
• Timing: Around 5 hours; starts at 9 AM
• When to Visit: All year round

Tai Chi at Temple of Heaven Park

Starting your day with a Tai Chi lesson at the Temple of Heaven Park is one of those things to do in Beijing that gently eases you into local rhythms. You’ll move at your own pace, surrounded by early-morning practitioners in the park, making the experience quiet, mindful, and memorable.

• Where: Temple of Heaven Park, guided Tai Chi session
• Pricing: It starts from INR 15,000 per person
• Timing: About 3 hours total, usually starting around 1:00 PM
• When to Visit: Year-round, though spring and autumn mornings are especially crisp and clear

Rickshaw Hutong Tour & Local Tea Tasting

This one blends motion, history, and flavour all in a few hours. You’ll ride through quiet hutong lanes in a rickshaw, step into a family courtyard for tea, and watch the city’s beauty unfold. It’s a perfect mix of exploration and pause, definitely making it one of the more relaxed things to do in Beijing at night, without the hustle.

• Where: Starts in a hutong neighbourhood, then visits a local courtyard for refined tea time
• Pricing: It starts from INR 6,900 per person
• Timing: About 3 hours: slots available at 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM
• When to Visit: All year round

Top Attractions

The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City is the heart of Beijing’s history, once home to emperors and now open for visitors to wander through its vast courtyards and palaces. It’s one of the most important beijing tourist attractions, and stepping inside gives you a sense of scale and detail that photos can’t capture.

• Where: Dongcheng District, central Beijing
• Pricing: It starts from INR 750 per person
• Timing: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM; closed on Mondays)
• When to Visit: March to May and September to November for clearer skies and lighter crowds

The Great Wall at Mutianyu

The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is less crowded but still wonderfully restored, making it one of the best things to do in Beijing. Walking along its stone steps with the mountains around you is a striking experience.

• Where: About 70 kilometres northeast of Beijing city centre
• Pricing: It starts from INR 400 per person
• Timing: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM daily
• When to Visit: Spring and autumn are the most comfortable times

Summer Palace

The Summer Palace, with its lake, pavilions, and bridges, is where emperors once came to escape the city heat. Today it’s one of the most scenic things to do in Beijing, ideal for strolling or a quiet boat ride.

• Where: Haidian District, northwest Beijing
• Pricing: It starts from INR 350 per person
• Timing: 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM (April to October), 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM (November to March)
• When to Visit: April to October when the gardens are green, though winter walks are peaceful with fewer visitors

Sightseeing Tours

Small Group Forbidden City Tour with Entry Tickets

Exploring the Forbidden City is one of the top 10 Beijing tourist attractions, but doing it with a guide, pre-arranged tickets, and a focused 4-hour tour takes it up a notch. You step inside, learn the stories behind ancient halls, and skip the crowd shuffle.

• Where: Meet near Tiananmen Square, walk into the Forbidden City with your guide
• Pricing: It starts from INR 3,200 per person
• Timing: Starts at 8:30 AM and 12:00 PM; 4 hours approx.
• When to Visit: Spring and autumn mornings

Hutong Bike Tour

Pedalling around the old alleyways in a hutong is among my favourite things to do in Beijing when you want energy and history mixed in one ride. You’ll cruise past classic courtyard homes, ride through Tiananmen Square, and even loop around Houhai Lake, all while your guide shares stories of old Beijing.

• Where: Starts near the Forbidden City, takes you through Hutongs, Drum and Bell Towers, and Houhai Lakes
• Pricing: It starts from INR 7,100 per person
• Timing: About 3 hours; slots available at 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM
• When to Visit: May to October

Day Trips

Full-Day Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace

This one blends two of the best things to do in Beijing, including a morning hike (or cable ride) on a peaceful section of the Great Wall, followed by lunch and a walk through the Summer Palace gardens. It’s a calm but complete day outside the city’s bustle.

• Where: Pickup in Beijing, then explore Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace
• Pricing: It starts from INR 16,000 per person
• Timing: About 8 to 9 hours total; typically slots available at 7:30 AM, 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM
• When to Visit: Spring and autumn

Summer Palace & Jiuhua Hot Springs Spa Day

Start off with peaceful morning strolls through the Summer Palace and explore gardens, lakes, and sweeping views. Then finish by slipping into warm, relaxing waters at nearby hot springs. It’s one of those things to do in Beijing this weekend when you want culture and calm rolled into one.

• Where: Pickup then head to Summer Palace and Jiuhua Hot Springs
• Pricing: It starts from INR 17,000 per person
• Timing: Around 8 hours total; typically starts at 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM
• When to Visit: Anytime, but especially comforting in winter or cooler months

Boat Tours

Half-Day Dragon Boat Ride on Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace

Drifting across Kunming Lake in a traditional dragon boat is one of those relaxed things to do in Beijing, especially when you want peace after walking palace courtyards. You’ll glide past the Marble Boat, framed by pavilions and willows, all in about four hours.

• Where: Summer Palace, Kunming Lake shoreline
• Pricing: It starts from INR 19,600 per person
• Timing: Around 4 hours total; starts at 8:30 AM amd 1:30 PM
• When to Visit: Spring and autumn mornings

Hutong Night Tour with Dinner and Chartered Boat on Houhai Lake

This evening tour is the kind of things to do in Beijing at night that balances food, quiet water, and the lantern-lit hutong streets. You’ll start with Yunnan-style dinner, sip tea while drifting on the lake, then wander local shops as you wrap up.

• Where: Houhai Lake area, ending with Xie Street stroll
• Pricing: It starts from INR 17,800 per person
• Timing: About 4 hours total, typically starts at 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM
• When to Visit: Year-round, though fall and spring evenings feel especially calm and romantic

Getting Around

• Subway: The subway is the simplest way to cover large distances. It connects most major spots like the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, and temple areas. If you’re lining up several things to do in Beijing in one day, this keeps travel quick and cheap.
• Buses: Slower but more scenic, buses give you a street-level view of neighbourhood life. They’re handy when you’re mixing sightseeing with everyday activities, like stopping at local markets.
• Taxis: Straightforward and available everywhere, taxis are useful if you’re heading back late after ticking off evening things to do in Beijing.
• Walking: Central districts such as Wangfujing and the hutongs are best enjoyed on foot. Walking adds small discoveries, like snack stalls, courtyards, or side alleys, that often feel as memorable as the top things to do in Beijing.
• Cycling: Bike lanes run through several districts, and cycling works well in autumn or spring. You can cruise along parks and hutong lanes at your own pace.
• Private drivers: For longer day trips, like to the Great Wall, hiring a driver makes sense. It saves time and gives you more control, especially in colder months like when planning things to do in Beijing in December.

Traveller Tips

• Plan around the seasons: Winters are cold and summers are hot. If you’re adding outdoor things to do in Beijing like the Great Wall or Summer Palace, spring and autumn are the most comfortable.
• Start your days early: Popular spots such as the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square are less crowded in the morning. It makes sightseeing smoother and gives you more time to add in smaller stops if you’re chasing the best things to do in Beijing.
• Keep cash handy: Make sure you carry some cash with you. It’s useful if you’re mixing local shopping into your list of things to do in Beijing.
• Dress for walking: Many sights, from the Summer Palace to temple complexes, involve a lot of steps and uneven ground. Comfortable shoes make exploring far easier and more enjoyable.