14+ most famous, top attractions & must see places in Beijing

What to do and where to go in Beijing, China? Check out the 14+ most famous, top tourist attractions and must see places in Beijing to plan the best self-guided itinerary!

Beijing – The second most populous city in China after Shanghai promises to bring you many surprising and unforgettable experiences. The city is over 700 years old, combining ancient and modern beauty, an ideal destination for those who love independent travel. Which Beijing tourist destinations can you visit on your trip? Let’s explore with us.

Beijing – The Thousands Year Old Capital of China

Beijing is not only the capital of China, but also a living treasure trove of history and culture, where the past and the present intertwine in every breath. Passing through the ancient city gate, you will be lost in the world of the emperors in the majestic Forbidden City, then overwhelmed by the majesty of the Great Wall, where each brick bears the mark of a thousand years.

But Beijing does not stop at the past – skyscrapers, bustling neighborhoods such as Sanlitun or Wangfujing make this city constantly moving. And in the midst of that life, there is nothing better than enjoying the crispy skin of the famous Peking duck, sipping a bowl of hot noodles in an ancient hutong alley or exploring the bustling night markets.

Famous Beijing Top Tourist Attractions Not to Miss

Forbidden City (#must see places in Beijing)

The Forbidden City is a self-guided Beijing tourist destination that anyone wants to visit once. The Forbidden City is located right in the center of Beijing. This is the palace of many ancient Chinese dynasties, and ordinary people are absolutely not allowed to set foot in it. The Forbidden City is surrounded by a 10m high wall and a 52m wide moat. In 1961, it was recognized as a National Cultural Relic of China and in 1987, it was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

• Address: 4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng, Beijing, China
• Open: Every day of the week from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

The Great Wall

The Great Wall is probably the “hot” tourist destination not only in Beijing but also in the whole of China. The Great Wall has an impressive length of 8,851km. When coming to the Great Wall, most visitors can only visit a section of it. The most famous section of the Great Wall for tourists is Badaling, also known as Badaling. Currently, the length of the Great Wall at Badaling is 3,741km. You can visit and take photos at any time of the year.

• Location: Yanqing, China
• Opening hours: All days of the week from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Thirteen Tombs – Beijing (Ming Dynasty Tombs)

The Thirteen Tombs is a complex of Ming Dynasty tombs that is worth checking out when traveling to Beijing on your own. To reach the ancient tombs, you need to go through a 14m high gate. The relic site has many ancient tombs, but the two main tombs that visitors can visit are Changling and Dingling. You will hear many strange anecdotes about the construction process of the tombs as well as mysteries that are considered “unknown” until modern times. If you are a lover of Chinese history, this is a great highlight for your independent Beijing trip.

• Address: 764F+3C3, Changchi Rd, Changping District, China, 102200
• Opening hours: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm.

Beijing Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)

This is a palace built during the Qing Dynasty, 15km from the center of Beijing. Coming here, you will be overwhelmed by the most beautiful garden architecture in China. This was once a place where royal families came to have fun and admire flowers at Summer Palace. Summer Palace was built from 1750 and completed in 1764 with 3/4 of its area being water. It can be said that Summer Palace is the most intact preserved royal palace in China to date.

• Address: 19 Xinjiangongmen Rd, Haidian, China
• Opening hours: 08:00 to 5:30 pm in summer and 08:30 to 4:30 pm in winter

Tiananmen Square

Another tourist destination in Beijing that you must visit is Tiananmen Square. Tiananmen is the northern gate separating the Forbidden City. This place is considered the “Heart of Beijing”. The square was built in 1417 with a width of 88m and a length of 500m, with a capacity of up to 1 million people.

Surrounding the square are many beautifully shaped bonsai trees; you can stroll, enjoy the fresh air and watch the life here. When coming to Tiananmen, you can also visit the Great Hall of the People, the Museum of the Chinese Revolution, the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and many other interesting places.

• Location: Located near the Forbidden City, Central Beijing
• Opening hours: 24/7

Wangfujing Street Beijing (#top tourist attractions in beijing)

Wangfujing Street – or Wangfujing – is 1.8km long, from East Chang An Avenue to the China Art Museum. This is the busiest and most famous commercial center in Beijing. If you have the opportunity to stop here, you will not only have the opportunity to shop for unique goods but also enjoy delicious dishes, converging the quintessence of Chinese cuisine.

• Location: Wangfujing, Dongchencg Qu, Beijing, China

Beijing Bird’s Nest Stadium

One of the projects built during the 2008 Beijing Olympics and became China’s own “brand”. The Bird’s Nest Stadium has an area of ​​258,000m2 with a capacity of 80,000 spectators; It is no surprise that this place has become a “hot spot” attracting many tourists because of its unique design, simulating a very special metal bird’s nest.

• Address: 1 National Stadium S Rd, Chaoyang, China.

Hutong Ancient Street – Beijing Food Paradise

If you “fall in love” with the old streets of China, don’t miss Hutong Ancient Street. With just a simple bicycle, you can leisurely stroll around the long alleys in Hutong Ancient Street. Hutong is structured according to Sihe Yuan, meaning traditional Chinese houses are built on 4 sides, surrounded by courtyards and wells for daily activities.

Residential areas are made up of many Sihe Yuan connected to each other. Many Sihe Yuan next to each other form hutongs, then many hutongs next to each other form residential areas like chessboards. Isn’t it interesting? In addition to bicycles, you can also rent a cyclo to tour around this neighborhood and enjoy delicious traditional cuisine!

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Beijing

A “once in a lifetime” opportunity for you to approach the world’s top stars in many fields at Madame Tussauds in Beijing. The museum perfectly represents the cultural exchange between East and West. Here you have the opportunity to see 99.9% accurate replicas of world stars such as Johnny Depp, Bruce Lee, Audrey Hepburn, etc.

In addition, only Madame Tussauds wax museum in Beijing has the “Spirit of China” exhibition program recreating the images of Chinese heroes and idols.

• Address: No. 8 Qianmen Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China.

Jiumen Snack Street – Beijing

For those who are passionate about food, don’t miss the opportunity to “sweep” Jiumen Snack Street when traveling to Beijing on your own. With more than 200 traditional dishes and drinks, why worry about not finding your “true love dish”, right? In particular, when eating and drinking on this street, you need to convert money into cards, and use cards to pay at all shops. That will be safer than using your wallet to avoid the risk of losing it or having your pocket picked, right?!

Universal Studios Beijing

Universal Studios Beijing is a global entertainment paradise, with 7 unique areas and 37 super attractive games. This spectacular park opened on September 20, 2021, offering visitors the chance to explore colorful worlds such as Hollywood, Jurassic World, Isla Nublar, Transformers, Metrobase, WaterWorld, Minion Land, Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™.

Be sure to check the weather before you go, as some outdoor attractions may be temporarily closed due to weather. Don’t miss a thing – stay updated with the latest information via the resort’s official app and applets to enjoy a memorable vacation.

• Address: Universal Studios Resort, Tongzhou District, Beijing, China.
• Opening hours: Usually 9:00am – 9:30pm (Subject to change depending on the season)

Beijing Zoo

Beijing Zoo ranks among the most extraordinary zoos, with over 7,000 animals, representing 600 species from all over the world. Here, you can immerse yourself in a diverse wildlife world, from giant pandas, red-crowned cranes and Pere David’s deer – all of which are unique to China – to African giraffes, rhinos, chimpanzees and antelopes.

When you step into Beijing Zoo, you will discover three magical lands: the East, the South and the North. Each area has its own charm, from the monkey hall, the panda hall, the lion and tiger hall to the elephant hall and many other impressive architectures.

• Address: No. 137, Xizhimenwai Road, Xicheng District, Beijing
• Opening hours: 07:30 – 18:00

Prince Gong Mansion

The Prince Gong Mansion, a splendid and graceful architectural masterpiece, built in the early 18th century, shines in the capital city of Beijing. With a vast area of ​​about 60 thousand square meters, this place includes both the palace and the garden, creating a prosperous and refined space.

From the terraced houses to the unique architecture, every corner of the mansion showcases beauty and strict preservation, with the high gates and walls creating a miniature imperial palace. Every step takes visitors to explore the lives of officials during the Qing Dynasty, where Emperor Qianlong ruled.

• Address: 17 Qianhai W St, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
• Opening hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm (Last admission 4:30pm)

The Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan)

The Yuanmingyuan Park, also known as the “Garden of a Thousand Gardens”, is a historic palace and garden complex located in northwest Beijing, China. Built in the early 18th century during the Qing Dynasty, the garden was once a summer retreat and a place for emperors to conduct state affairs. Covering an area of ​​over 350 hectares, the Yuanmingyuan includes three main areas: Yuanmingyuan, Changchunyuan and Qichunyuan, with a total of 123 large and small scenic spots.

Although it was destroyed in 1860, the remaining ruins still remind visitors of the beauty and grandeur of a golden age, attracting visitors to admire and learn about China’s rich history.

• Address: No. 28, Qing Hua Jie, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing.
• Opening hours: 07:30 to 18:00.

Traveling Tips Between Beijing Tourist Destinations

Plan Your Visit by Area

Beijing is vast, so arranging your schedule by area will help save time and travel costs. For example, you can combine visiting Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park in the same day because they are located close to each other. Meanwhile, Summer Palace and sections of the Great Wall such as Badaling are further away from the city centre, so they should be planned for separate days.

Using Public Transport

• Metro: A fast and convenient way to travel between points in the city. Fares are calculated based on distance, starting at 3 yuan (about 10,000 VND) for the first 6 km, and increasing by 1 yuan (about 3,300 VND) for each additional 6 km. Most signs and announcements on the train are in English, which is helpful for foreign visitors.
• Bus: Wide coverage, with fares usually ranging from 2 to 7 yuan (about 7,000 to 25,000 VND) depending on the distance traveled. However, buses can be difficult due to traffic jams and language barriers. If using them, prepare a map and know the destination name in Chinese.

Use Taxis and Ride-hailing Apps

Taxi is common in Beijing, but drivers often don’t speak English. Bring your destination address written in Chinese or use a translation app. Taxi fares start at around 13 yuan (about 43,000 VND) for the first 3 km, then increase by around 2.3 yuan (about 7,600 VND) for each additional km. Alternatively, ride-hailing apps like DiDi (similar to Grab) are also useful, but require a local phone number to register.

Rent a Bike or Walk

For areas like hutongs (old alleys) or parks, renting a bike or walking will provide a more enjoyable and local experience. Many hotels and shops offer bike rentals for around 3 yuan (about 10,000 VND) per ride.

Hire a Private Driver or Self-Drive

Using public transport is definitely the most economical option, but what if your family has elderly people and children traveling with you? Renting a car with a driver in Beijing is definitely the better choice. You can make your own schedule and ask the driver to take you to the tourist attractions in Beijing that you want to explore in a very proactive way. Not confident in scheduling? Don’t worry, an experienced driver will take you to the hottest tourist attractions in Beijing with a scientific route.

If you are confident in your driving skills and have an international driving license, why not drive around Beijing yourself?

Frequently Asked Questions About Beijing Travel

When is the best time to travel to Beijing?

Autumn (September-November) and spring (March-May) are ideal times due to the cool, pleasant weather.

Do I need a visa to travel to Beijing?

Vietnamese tourists need to apply for a visa before coming to China.

What is the signature cuisine of Beijing?

Peking duck is the most famous dish, loved by many tourists.

Do you need to know Chinese when traveling to Beijing?

It is not required, but knowing some basic sentences will help you communicate more easily.

What is the currency used in Beijing?

The Chinese Yuan (CNY) is the official currency; 1 CNY is equivalent to about 3,500 VND.

Do you need to bring cash when traveling to Beijing?

It is advisable to bring some cash for small transactions; credit cards are widely accepted in tourist areas.

Is Beijing safe for tourists?

Beijing is a safe city, but tourists should be careful with personal belongings in crowded places.

How is the Internet and Wi-Fi in Beijing?

Free Wi-Fi is available at many hotels and cafes; however, some international websites may be blocked.

What time zone is Beijing in compared to Vietnam?

Beijing is 1 hour ahead of Vietnam. For example, if it is 8am in Vietnam, it is 9am in Beijing.

Do I need to bring a power adapter when traveling to Beijing?

Yes. China uses type A, C and I sockets; bring a suitable adapter.

Can I use a Vietnamese mobile phone number in Beijing?

Yes, but roaming charges are high; buying a local SIM or a travel eSIM is a more economical option.

What is the maximum length of stay for tourists in Beijing?

The length of stay depends on the type of visa; usually 30 days for a short-term tourist visa.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Beijing you can refer to

• Beijing Palace Museum Ticket (The Forbidden City)
• [Cool Summer] Universal Beijing Resort Ticket
• [Sale] Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour from Beijing (With Pick Up)
• Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) Admission Ticket in Beijing
• [Up to 20% Off] Private City Transfers for Mutianyu Great Wall in Beijing
• Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour by Bus with Options
• [Sale] Mutianyu Great Wall-Downtown Beijing Round Trip Bus Pass
• Mutianyu Great Wall Ticket & Cable Car
• The Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) Ticket in Beijing
• Beijing Wildlife Park Admission Ticket
• Beijing Happy Valley Ticket
• CMHK | HK 7 Days unlimited data + 200 HK Local Mins + 1GB Mainland China and Macau data (HK Airport Pick Up)
• [Thailand Pick Up] Dtac GO INTER SIM Card Zone 1(Asia, Australia, USA, exclude Thailand)
• 4G LTE WiFi (MNL Airport Pick Up) for Asia
• 4G Portable WiFi (Manila Delivery) for Asia
• [Unlimited Data] 4G Portable WiFi for Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau from Uroaming (HK Airport Pick Up)
• 4G WiFi (HK Airport Pick Up) for Hong Kong/Macau/China (No Speed Limited) from Song WiFi

Read more Bejing guide: Beijing travel blog — The fullest Beijing travel guide for first-timers