3 days in Beijing 北京

The imperial capital — Forbidden City, Great Wall, and the country’s best subway.

By Charlie Simmon, Founder and editor · Reviewed 22 October 2026

The plan

One headline sight a day, with the evening left for food. Crossing a Chinese city takes longer than the map suggests; this plan does not pretend otherwise.

  1. Day 1

    Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

    Eat: Peking duck

  2. Day 2

    Great Wall at Mutianyu or Jinshanling

    Eat: Zhajiangmian noodles

  3. Day 3

    Temple of Heaven

    Eat: Jianbing breakfast crepe

Where to stay

Stay within a 10-minute walk of a metro station inside the inner ring. Beijing has a metro, so most journeys cost ¥2–10 and avoid traffic.

Getting there

Beijing South is the hub for the 350 km/h line to Shanghai (4h30); Beijing West serves Xi’an and the southwest.

The main airport is Beijing Capital (PEK) / Daxing (PKX).

When to go

The most comfortable months are April, May, September, October. Avoid Golden Week (1–7 October) and the Spring Festival travel period.

  1. January — not a peak month
  2. February — not a peak month
  3. March — not a peak month
  4. April — recommended
  5. May — recommended
  6. June — not a peak month
  7. July — not a peak month
  8. August — not a peak month
  9. September — recommended
  10. October — recommended
  11. November — not a peak month
  12. December — not a peak month

What it costs

Per person per day, excluding flights. Multiply by 3 for this trip.

Daily budget tiers for Beijing
TierDailySleepingEating
Budget¥300–500Hostel dorm or simple guesthouseStreet breakfast, noodle shops
Mid-range¥800–1,5003–4★ hotel near a metroSit-down restaurants, one splurge
Comfort¥2,500+5★ or boutique courtyard hotelFine dining and tasting menus

Questions people ask

Is 3 days enough for Beijing?

It is tight. The city page budgets 5 nights; with 3 days, keep one headline sight a day and skip a day trip rather than trying to cover everything.

When is the best time to visit Beijing?

The most comfortable months are April, May, September, October. Avoid Golden Week (1–7 October) and the Spring Festival travel period unless your dates are fixed.

How do I get to Beijing?

Beijing South is the hub for the 350 km/h line to Shanghai (4h30); Beijing West serves Xi’an and the southwest. The main airport is Beijing Capital (PEK) / Daxing (PKX).

What should I budget for 3 days?

Excluding flights: budget ¥300–500, mid-range ¥800–1,500, comfort ¥2,500+ per person per day. Multiply the daily figure by 3; hotels drive the difference more than food.

Do I need a visa?

Visa policy is national, not city-level. Check your passport against the current visa-free and transit routes before booking.