📜 Introduction.
Beijing, a city between tradition and modernity, was the first stop of my month-long journey through China. Visiting it felt like travelling through time: from ancient imperial palaces and millennia-old temples to sleek skyscrapers and high-speed trains.
I dedicated 4 days (well, technically 3!) to explore this incredible city. My flight was from Bari (South Italy) with Turkish Airlines to Baku (Azerbaijan), where I spent two days. Then, I continued on to Beijing with a night flight, stopping briefly in Urumqi, the gateway to China’s Xinjiang region.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Beijing and don’t know where to start, this 4-day Beijing itinerary will guide you through the most iconic sights: the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and much more. Along with a day-by-day travel guide, you’ll find practical tips on where to stay, what to eat, how to get around, and where to buy tickets in advance.
Here’s my personal travel story of Beijing, a city between tradition and modernity, full of discoveries, local dishes, and extraordinary places.
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Day 1: A Brief Stop in Urumqi and Arrival in Beijing.
My journey through China began with a night flight from Baku, where I spent two days exploring Azerbaijan’s capital (check out my itinerary 2 Days in Baku: the City of Wind and Fire). Then, I landed in Urumqi, in the heart of Xinjiang, early in the morning.
After clearing border control, I had planned to explore the city briefly, but a small tech mishap changed everything. My eSIM, purchased before departure, refused to activate. With no internet connection, I couldn’t use translation apps or maps, so I decided not to venture too far. Still, here are the main things to do in Urumqi if you plan to spend half a day there.
- Visit the Local Mosque
- Explore the Grand Bazaar
- Lunch at Jiamu Restaurant (伽穆餐厅)
In the afternoon, I took a domestic flight to Beijing Daxing International Airport, arriving around 8 PM. However, only by 11 PM, I was finally settled in my hostel. Just enough time for a shower and some rest before the adventures awaiting me the next morning.
Day 2: The Great Wall of China.
I had promised myself I’d wake up at 5.30 and leave by 6.00, but exhaustion won the battle. So I hit the road at 7.30 AM instead. Destination: The Great Wall of China!
I chose the Mutianyu section, one of the most scenic and less crowded areas, yet still easy to reach from Beijing. After about an hour and a half by taxi, I arrived to find the site already quite busy. Luckily, I had purchased my ticket online, so I skipped the main queue. From the entrance, I took the shuttle bus that leads to the wall.
Once there, visitors can either take the cable car via the North Trail or hike via the Southern Foot Path. I chose to hike. After walking 2-3 km through a shaded forest path, the Wall finally appeared before me: majestic and timeless. I entered through Tower 8, walked up to Watchtower 4, then took the cable car down from Tower 6 (the toboggan slide was closed that day). I had lunch at one of the nearby restaurants and then caught a tourist bus back to Beijing, booked directly on-site for about ¥50.
Back in the city, I visited the 798 Art District: a former industrial area turned into a trendy neighborhood filled with art galleries, design stores, and cafés. The day ended perfectly with dinner at Jiaodong Liu Mama Rouzhi, famous for its handmade dumplings. There are dozens of varieties, and the portions are generous!
Here’s a brief summary of this second intense day in Beijing, a city between tradition and modernity, where I walked along a section of the Great Wall and, later that same day, took a high-speed train to one of Beijing’s most modern and recently renovated districts.
- h 07.30 – Departure to Mutianyu
- h 09.00 – Visit to the Great Wall
- h 14.00 – Lunch
- h 15.30 – Bus to Beijing
- h 17.30 – Explore the 798 Art District
- h 20.00 – Dinner at Jiaodong Liu Mama Rouzhi
Day 3: Hanfu Experience, Temples, and Imperial Palaces.
For my third day, I had booked a Hanfu photoshoot, wearing traditional Chinese clothing. Accompanied by a professional photographer, I experienced imperial Beijing through a lens: an unforgettable funny moment.
The studio offered me to keep the outfit until 6 PM, but the heat was intense, so I returned it right after the photoshoot.
I grabbed a quick lunch at Fangzhuanchang, known for its noodles with soybean paste and minced meat. After lunch, I visited the Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple): one of the most spiritual places in the city, home to one of the largest wooden Buddha statues in the world.
In the afternoon, I explored the Summer Palace, an imperial masterpiece of gardens, lakes, and pavilions once used as the royal family’s summer retreat.
The evening was magical: I attended the Folk Art Show at Lao She Teahouse, a unique mix of Chinese music, theater, and traditional arts, served with tea and local snacks (check out my post Theatre in China: A Spectacular Experience at Lao She Teahouse). To end the day, I delighted y palate with Peking Duck for dinner, an iconic dish from Beijing.
- h 09.00 – Photoshoot
- h 13.30 – Lunch at Fangzhuanchang
- h 14.30 – Visit at Lama Temple
- h 16.30 – Visit at Summer Palace
- h 20.00 – Folk Art Show at Lao She Teahouse
- h 21.30 – Dinner with Peking Duck
Day 4: Temple of Heaven, Hutongs, and the Forbidden City.
The last day began early with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, one of Beijing’s most iconic landmarks. Surrounded by a large park where locals practice tai chi or play badminton, the temple stands on top of a stunning white staircase, symbolising harmony between heaven and earth.
Right after, I joined a free walking tour through the Hutongs, Beijing’s narrow, maze-like alleys lined with traditional courtyard homes known as siheyuan. It’s one of the best ways to explore the city’s local life and hidden stories.
I grabbed some snacks for lunch during the tour, and in the afternoon, I headed to the Forbidden City, the imperial residence for over 500 years. Wandering through its courtyards, palaces, and galleries felt like stepping into a living history book.
By 6 PM, I was back at the hostel for a quick shower (for only ¥10) and to collect my luggages before catching the night train to Luoyang, ready for a new adventure (check out my itinerary 3 days between Luoyang and Xi’an).
- h 08.00 – Visit at Temple of Heaven
- h 10.30 – Free Walking Tour through the Hutong
- h 13.30 – Lunch
- h 14.30 – Explore the Forbidden City
- h 18.00 – Return to hostel to collect luggage
- h 20.47 – Night Train to Luoyang
🛏️ Where to Stay in Beijing.
Beijing is generally more expensive than other Chinese cities, so I chose to stay in a hostel instead of a hotel.
I spent two nights at Paoju Factory Youth Hostel / P.Loft Youth Hostel in the Dongcheng district, just 10 minutes from the metro. The reception is open 24/7, breakfast and meals are available on-site, and they also organise group tours to the Great Wall and other attractions.
I paid only €50 for three nights in a female dorm with a shared bathroom: a great deal for central Beijing.
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🍜 What to Eat in Beijing.
- Peking Duck: The city’s most famous dish, crispy, rich, and unforgettable
- Dumplings (Jiaozi): Filled with meat or vegetables, perfect for a quick dinner
- Zhajiangmian Noodles: A Beijing staple with savory soybean sauce and minced meat
🎫 Where to Buy Tickets.
I highly recommend booking your tickets in advance as attractions often sell out fast, especially the Forbidden City. The below prices may vary depending on season and platform discounts.
- Great Wall of China: official website (about 20€)
- Photoshoot: Klook.com (about 72€)
- Lama Temple: Klook.com (about 5€)
- Summer Palace: Klook.com (about 7€)
- Theatre Show: official website (about 53€)
- Temple of Heaven: GetYourGuide.com (about 8€)
- Hutong Tour: GuruWalk.com (free but tip-based at the end)
- Forbidden CIty: Viator.com (about 18€)
💡 Travel Tips.
At the end of July, the heat in Beijing can be intense, but it’s still wise to carry an umbrella for sudden summer showers. Always keep an insect repellent with you, preferably one containing DEET since many attractions are surrounded by greenery. I personally used Jungle Formula Molto Forte and found it very effective.
In the more touristy areas, you’ll find plenty of shops renting Hanfu, the traditional Chinese attire, often offering makeup and hairstyling services as well. The studio I booked through Klook.com had staff who spoke a bit of English (a rare and welcome surprise in China).
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Keep in mind that the cable car at the Great Wall is only included in the ticket if you board at Watchover 14. I took it from Watchover 6 instead and had to pay an additional fee of about ¥100.
Lastly, note that the final entry to the Forbidden City is at 4.00 PM. Plan your visit carefully, as the site is vast and usually crowded. Two hours may not be enough to see everything. Tickets also tend to sell out quickly, so it’s best to book in advance through platforms like Viator or Klook to secure your entry.
🎈 Conclusion.
My 4 days in Beijing were intense and unforgettable. From the Great Wall to the Forbidden City, from modern art districts to ancient temples, the Chinese capital enchanted me at every turn.
It’s not just a journey through history, it’s an immersion into flavours, colours, and the unstoppable rhythm of a metropolis that never sleeps.
If you’re planning a trip to China’s capital, this 4-day itinerary is the perfect starting point to experience the magic of Beijing!
💬 And you? Are you ready to explore Beijing? Which places would you like to visit the most in China’s capital? Tell me in the comments below!
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