Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Arrival & first steps in Beijing
Morning Hotel check-in & getting your bearings
Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and take the Airport Express train to Dongzhimen station, then transfer to your hotel near Wangfujing. Check in, freshen up, and take a short walk around the neighbourhood to get your bearings. Pick up a local SIM card or activate your VPN — Western apps like Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram are blocked in China without one.
Afternoon Jingshan Park & panoramic view of the Forbidden City
Head to Jingshan Park, the artificial hill directly north of the Forbidden City built from the earth excavated for the moat. Climb to the Wanchun Pavilion at the summit for the most breathtaking aerial view of Beijing — the entire Forbidden City stretches out below you in perfect symmetry, with the modern skyline beyond. In the park below, locals sing revolutionary songs, practise calligraphy with water brushes, and play traditional instruments.
Evening Wangfujing street food exploration
Head to Wangfujing Snack Street for an electrifying evening of street food. During CNY, the street is adorned with red lanterns and festive decorations. Sample tanghulu (candied hawthorn berries), jianbing (savoury crêpes), lamb skewers, and stinky tofu. For a more substantial meal, try traditional jiaozi (dumplings) — the quintessential CNY food symbolising wealth and prosperity.
Day 2 Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square
Morning Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City
Cross Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, and enter the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) through the Meridian Gate. Explore the vast complex of 980 surviving buildings with their golden roofs and crimson walls, decorated with special CNY lanterns and ornaments. Walk through the three Great Halls along the central axis — the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony.
Afternoon Imperial Gardens & Palace galleries
Continue exploring the Forbidden City's inner court — the private quarters of the emperors. Don't miss the Imperial Garden at the northern end with its ancient cypresses and rockeries. Visit the Clock Gallery (Fengxian Hall) housing an extraordinary collection of 18th-century European clocks gifted to Qing emperors, and the Treasure Gallery with imperial jewellery, gold artifacts, and ceremonial objects. Exit through the Gate of Divine Prowess for a final look back at the palace.
Evening Traditional Peking duck dinner
Indulge in Beijing's most iconic dish: Peking duck at Quanjude or Da Dong. Watch the chef carve the lacquered duck tableside into thin slices, then wrap them in thin pancakes with hoisin sauce, scallions, and cucumber. Complement with traditional CNY dishes like yu (fish, symbolising surplus), babaofan (eight-treasure rice), and hot huangjiu (yellow rice wine). Making a reservation is absolutely essential during the holiday period.
Day 3 Temple of Heaven & southern district
Morning Temple of Heaven & morning tai chi
Visit the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan) early to see local retirees practising tai chi, playing traditional instruments, and performing fan dances. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features the iconic blue-roofed Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Echo Wall with its remarkable acoustic properties. The circular temple symbolises the connection between Heaven and Earth — emperors once prayed here for bountiful harvests. CNY decorations add a festive touch to the imperial scenery.
Afternoon Liulichang cultural street
Explore Liulichang, Beijing's famous antique and cultural street dating back to the Qing dynasty. This beautifully preserved pedestrian lane is lined with shops selling calligraphy brushes, ink stones, rice paper, seal carvings, and traditional Chinese paintings. During CNY, special calligraphy masters set up stalls offering to write custom chunlian (spring couplets) for your doorway. It's a wonderful place to find authentic cultural gifts and watch artisans at work.
Evening Qianmen Street illuminations & red lanterns
Walk down Qianmen Dajie, the beautifully restored pedestrian street south of Tiananmen Square, illuminated with thousands of red lanterns for CNY. This historic commercial street dates back to the Ming dynasty. Visit the century-old tea shop Zhang Yiyuan and the famous silk store Ruifuxiang. End with tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls in warm soup) — the traditional dessert symbolising family togetherness. The vintage tram running down the street is free to ride.
Day 4 Great Wall of China
Morning Journey to Mutianyu Great Wall
Depart early for the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, located 70 km northeast of Beijing. Mutianyu is less crowded than Badaling and better restored, with 23 watchtowers along a 2.5 km stretch. Take the cable car up to the wall for stunning panoramic views of the snow-dusted mountains — the winter landscape is breathtaking and uniquely photogenic. The wall can be icy in places, so tread carefully on the steep sections between towers.
Afternoon Lunch at Mutianyu village & return to Beijing
After descending from the wall, have lunch at a family-run restaurant in Mutianyu village. Try local specialities like hongshao rou (red-braised pork), hand-pulled noodles, and warming lamb hotpot — perfect after a cold morning on the wall. Browse the small souvenir shops then head back to Beijing, arriving around 4-5pm depending on traffic.
Evening Rest & hutong dinner
After a physically demanding day on the Great Wall, relax at your hotel before heading out for a casual dinner in the hutong alleys near your hotel. Try a local hole-in-the-wall serving zhajiangmian (Beijing-style noodles with soybean paste), baozi (steamed buns), or malatang (spicy Sichuan-style soup where you pick your own ingredients). The intimate scale of hutong dining is the perfect antidote to the grandeur of the Wall.
Day 5 Summer Palace & Kunming Lake
Morning Summer Palace & Long Corridor
Take the metro to the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), the magnificent imperial garden and UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 290 hectares. Walk along the famous 728-metre Long Corridor with its 14,000 painted scenes, visit the Buddhist Incense Tower perched on Longevity Hill, and admire the Marble Boat by the frozen Kunming Lake. In winter, the lake is often frozen solid and locals walk across it — a surreal sight with traditional pavilions reflected in the ice.
Afternoon Old Summer Palace ruins (Yuanmingyuan)
Walk 15 minutes north to Yuanmingyuan, the ruins of the original Old Summer Palace destroyed by Anglo-French forces in 1860. The haunting European-style stone ruins — columns, arches, and fountain bases — stand as a powerful reminder of history. In winter, the frozen lotus ponds and bare willows create an atmosphere of melancholic beauty. The surrounding park is vast and peaceful, a complete contrast to the Summer Palace's grandeur.
Evening Wudaokou university district
Since you're already in Haidian district, explore Wudaokou, Beijing's vibrant university neighbourhood near Tsinghua and Peking University. This is where young Beijing goes out — Korean BBQ restaurants, craft beer bars, and lively hot pot joints fill the streets. The area has a different energy from the historic center, showing you modern China's youthful, cosmopolitan side. Try a Korean BBQ — Beijing's large Korean community has made it an art form here.
Day 6 Hutongs & traditional Beijing life
Morning Rickshaw tour of Shichahai hutongs
Hop on a traditional rickshaw for a guided tour through the Shichahai hutong area surrounding three interconnected lakes. Your driver will navigate the narrow alleys, pointing out century-old courtyard homes, traditional door gods painted for CNY, and the Drum and Bell Towers. Stop at a local family's home for a tea ceremony and learn about CNY customs: the significance of hongbao (red envelopes filled with money), the reunion dinner tradition, and why fish is always served whole.
Afternoon Nanluoguxiang hutong exploration
Stroll through Nanluoguxiang, one of Beijing's oldest hutong neighbourhoods dating back to the Yuan dynasty (13th century). This 786-metre alley is lined with quirky boutiques, tea houses, and cafés nestled in traditional siheyuan courtyard buildings. During CNY, many doorways display chunlian (red couplets) and fu characters hung upside-down (meaning 'luck has arrived'). Duck into the quieter side alleys to see local families preparing for festivities.
Evening Ice skating on Houhai Lake & ice bars
Return to Houhai (Shichahai) for a uniquely Beijing winter experience — ice skating and sledging on the frozen lake. Rental stalls along the shore offer skates, ice bikes, and traditional ice chairs (a seat on metal runners you push with poles). After skating, warm up at one of the many bars lining the lakeshore. The neon lights reflecting on the ice create a magical atmosphere. Try baijiu, China's fiery national spirit, to warm your bones.
Day 7 Contemporary art & modern Beijing
Morning 798 Art District
Explore the 798 Art District (Dashanzi), a former military electronics factory complex transformed into Beijing's creative epicentre. Dozens of galleries, studios, and independent cafés fill the Bauhaus-style industrial buildings, still adorned with Maoist slogans and revolutionary murals — creating a striking juxtaposition with contemporary art. Visit UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing's most important contemporary art museum, and browse smaller galleries showcasing emerging Chinese artists.
Afternoon Lama Temple (Yonghegong)
Visit the Yonghegong Lama Temple, Beijing's most magnificent Tibetan Buddhist temple and one of the most important outside Tibet. Originally an imperial prince's residence, it was converted to a lamasery in 1744. Marvel at the 18-metre-tall Maitreya Buddha carved from a single piece of sandalwood. During CNY, the temple is especially atmospheric with the scent of incense, monks chanting, and locals lighting incense sticks to pray for good fortune in the new year.
Evening Peking opera performance
Experience a traditional Peking opera performance at the Liyuan Theatre or the Huguang Guild Hall, two of Beijing's most atmospheric venues. Peking opera combines singing, dialogue, acrobatics, martial arts, and elaborate costumes and face painting. During CNY season, theatres often stage auspicious works and classic tales. Even without understanding Mandarin, the visual spectacle, acrobatic feats, and musical traditions make it an unforgettable cultural experience.
Day 8 Chinese New Year's Eve (除夕 Chúxī)
Morning New Year market & final preparations
Immerse yourself in the pre-New Year frenzy at a local market. Head to the flower and New Year goods markets that pop up across Beijing in the days before CNY. Pick up festive decorations: red lanterns, paper cuttings (jiǎnzhǐ), spring couplets (chunlian), and zodiac figurines. The atmosphere is electric — everyone is buying last-minute gifts, food, and decorations. This is one of the most exciting days to be in Beijing, as the anticipation is palpable.
Afternoon Dumpling-making workshop
Join a hands-on dumpling-making class — the quintessential New Year's Eve activity in China. In Chinese families, everyone gathers to fold jiaozi together on 除夕 (New Year's Eve). Learn to make the dough from scratch, prepare traditional fillings (pork and cabbage, chive and egg), and master the folding technique. Some families hide a coin in one dumpling — whoever gets it will have good luck all year. The class usually takes place in a hutong courtyard home for an authentic setting.
Evening CCTV Gala & New Year's Eve fireworks
Experience the biggest night of the Chinese year. Head to a lively restaurant or your hotel lounge to watch the CCTV Spring Festival Gala (春晚) — the most-watched TV broadcast on Earth with over 800 million viewers. At midnight, Beijing erupts with fireworks and firecrackers. The area around the CCTV Tower and the Olympic Park offers the best views of the citywide spectacle. The streets come alive with celebrations, red lanterns glow everywhere, and the energy is absolutely extraordinary.
Day 9 New Year's Day 1 & temple fairs
Morning New Year Day 1 prayers at Lama Temple
On the first day of the Lunar New Year (初一), join the faithful at a temple to burn incense and pray for good fortune. The Lama Temple (Yonghegong) is one of the most popular destinations. Alternatively, head to Tanzhe Temple in the western hills for a less crowded but equally spiritual experience. Lighting the 'first incense' (头柱香) of the year is considered extremely auspicious. Observe the rituals: bowing three times, burning paper money, and ringing the temple bell.
Afternoon Ditan Park temple fair
Experience one of Beijing's most famous temple fairs at Ditan Park (Temple of Earth). Running for over 30 years during CNY, this fair features traditional performances including stilt-walking, lion dances, and Peking opera excerpts. Browse hundreds of stalls selling handmade crafts, paper cuttings, calligraphy scrolls, and traditional snacks like nian gao (sticky rice cake). Watch the re-enactment of the Imperial Earth Worship Ceremony, a Qing dynasty ritual performed with full imperial regalia.
Evening Longtan Park temple fair & evening shows
Head to Longtan Park's temple fair, the second most popular in Beijing alongside Ditan. The evening atmosphere is magical — hundreds of red lanterns illuminate the park, and the frozen lake reflects the festive lights. Performances continue after dark with fire shows, dragon dances, and traditional music. Sample more street food: roasted chestnuts, candied crab apples, lamb chuan'r, and warming doujiang (soy milk). This is Chinese New Year at its most vibrant and immersive.
Day 10 Final souvenirs & departure
Morning Panjiayuan antique market
Spend your final morning at Panjiayuan Antique Market, Beijing's largest and most famous flea market. It offers everything from Mao-era memorabilia and jade jewellery to Tibetan carpets, vintage propaganda posters, and hand-painted snuff bottles. During CNY, you'll find special festive items like paper cuttings, spring festival couplets, and zodiac figurines for the current year. This is the best place in Beijing for unique, meaningful souvenirs to bring home.
Afternoon Final stroll & farewell tea
Take a final leisurely walk through the hutong alleys you've come to love. Stop at a traditional tea house for a proper Chinese tea ceremony — taste pu'er, jasmine, and longjing (dragon well) teas while reflecting on your Beijing adventure. The tea master will explain the brewing techniques and significance of each tea. Pack your bags and savour the last moments of festive Beijing before heading to the airport.
Evening Airport transfer & departure
Head to Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) or Daxing Airport (PKX) for your departure flight. Allow at least 3 hours before your flight for transfer and check-in — traffic during CNY can be heavy near airports. Daxing Airport has the metro Daxing line; Capital Airport has the Airport Express. Pack fragile souvenirs from Panjiayuan carefully in your carry-on. 再见北京 — Zàijiàn Běijīng!