Last Updated on January 25, 2026
China, and Beijing in particular, continues to rate high on the wish list of many travelers…
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
By Jim Ferri
China continues to be on the wish list of many travelers. And one of the top spots of interest to travelers headed to the Middle Kingdom continues to be Beijing. And the first-time visitor will find man interesting things to do in Beijing.
If you’re going to Beijing be aware that two things can hinder your travel about the city. One is the pollution that ruins views and can carry some serious health risks. However it seems to be getting better as the government attempts to control it.
The other is the rise of China’s middle class, which has greatly spurred domestic tourism.
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All over Beijing you now encounter large Chinese tour groups (with participants sometimes wearing matching baseball caps). They arrive en masse at many of the major sites and slow things down for the rest of us.
You can alleviate the crowds of tourists by visiting some sites in the afternoon to avoid the morning rush. I can make recommendations on some of top things to do in Beijing during a few days in the city – something that’s particularly relevant for independent travelers, especially those with limited time.
These should be at the top of your list.
A Top Place to Visit in Beijing: Tiananmen Square
Tian’an Men Square, often now written as Tiananmen Square, is at the heart of Chinese history. One of the top places to visit in Beijing, it’s the largest public square in the world. That’s likely the reason Mao chose it to publicly proclaim the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
On its north side is the gate, which looks like a long building, from which he made his pronouncement. A huge portrait of him still hangs from the wall looking southward. Directly behind it is the Forbidden City.
Don’t Miss the Forbidden City
This Imperial Palace compound was the home of 24 emperors from 1420 until 1924. Entry to the Chinese masses was forbidden here, hence the name.
The entire complex consists of 8,706 rooms in 980 buildings. In it 8,000 to 10,000 people (including 3,000 eunuchs plus maids and concubines) lived with the Emperor.
The entire 170-acre complex iis surrounded by walls more than 30 feet tall. It’s also the best preserved site of Classical Chinese architecture in the world. It’s one of the very top things to do in Beijing no matter how short you are on time.
The Hutongs
The Hutongs are Beijing’s quiet, old traditional residential alleyways. Many were built during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. But they are in danger as new development continues in the city and many have already disappeared.
They’re composed of quadrangular homes and courtyards hidden from view by walls with wooden gates. The gates also often have carved characters on them to bring good fortune to the occupants.
Many travelers take a tour of the hutongs by pedicab and then visit a local home. It’s quite touristy but it does give you a peek into Chinese life, both past and present.
Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is one of the largest temple complexes in the country. It’s a magnificent building that was built without nails.
A sequence of temples and altars set in a park, It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. A visit to it is another of the best things to do in Beijing. Twice a year the Emperor and his entourage of ministers, courtiers and eunuchs would come to the Temple. There they interceded with the gods on behalf of their people.
In the nearby Teahouse you can see a Chinese tea ceremony. Outside the complex, in Tiantan Park, you’ll sometime find locals practicing the graceful moves of tai ji quan early in the day. It’s at its most colorful on Sunday mornings.
One of the Most Popular Sites: the Summer Palace
A huge park complete with gardens, temples, pavilions and a huge lake on which you can take a dragon-boat ride, the Summer Palace was where during the Ming and Qing dynasties the Emperor and his household came to escape the heat of the Beijing summer. It’s one of the things most visitors enjoying doing in Beijing.
One of the things that it’s most famous for is its outdoor covered walkway that is decorated with 8,000 paintings, many depicting sights the Emperor had seen during his travels around the country during pre-camera days in China.
The Great Wall
Although it’s not in the city, it would be a mistake to visit China without visiting the Great Wall, the longest wall in the world. Built more than 2000 years ago to protect China from invading armies, its 13,170 miles of stone and pounded earth carry it across 15 provinces.
There are several sections you can visit from Beijing (it’s best to check with your hotel to see which is best for you due to time constraints, cost, etc.) and no matter which you choose you’ll still have to run a gauntlet of vendors selling every souvenir imaginable. At least they’re prohibited from touting their wares up on the Wall itself, where you can walk in peace atop this wonder of the world. Just bring sturdy shoes.
You may also enjoy: Beijing Hutong Tours by Pedicab / Finding a Fascinating Culture and Food in Lijiang, Yunnan, China / Xi’an, China and the Terracotta Army
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