7 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.
Day 1
Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
Eat: Peking duck
Day 2
Great Wall at Mutianyu or Jinshanling
Eat: Zhajiangmian noodles
Day 3
Temple of Heaven
Eat: Jianbing breakfast crepe
Day 4
Summer Palace
Eat: Lamb hotpot
Day 5
798 Art District
Eat: Douzhi (fermented mung bean drink)
Day 6
Lama Temple
Eat: Peking duck
Day 7
Jingshan Park sunset over the palace roofs
Eat: Zhajiangmian noodles
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.
- January — not a peak month
- February — not a peak month
- March — not a peak month
- April — recommended
- May — recommended
- June — not a peak month
- July — not a peak month
- August — not a peak month
- September — recommended
- October — recommended
- November — not a peak month
- December — not a peak month
What it costs
Per person per day, excluding flights. Multiply by 7 for this trip.
| Tier | Daily | Sleeping | Eating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ¥300–500 | Hostel dorm or simple guesthouse | Street breakfast, noodle shops |
| Mid-range | ¥800–1,500 | 3–4★ hotel near a metro | Sit-down restaurants, one splurge |
| Comfort | ¥2,500+ | 5★ or boutique courtyard hotel | Fine dining and tasting menus |
Questions people ask
Is 7 days enough for Beijing?
Yes. The city page budgets 5 nights, so 7 days leaves room for one headline sight a day plus a slower neighbourhood or food afternoon.
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 7 days?
Excluding flights: budget ¥300–500, mid-range ¥800–1,500, comfort ¥2,500+ per person per day. Multiply the daily figure by 7; 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.