How many days in Beijing? How to plan the perfect Beijing tour

Beijing, the vibrant capital of China, stands as the nation’s political and cultural epicenter – and the primary gateway for millions of international travellers each year. Thanks to China’s increasingly generous visa free transit policies, visitors arriving at Beijing Capital or Daxing International Airports can now spend up to 240 hours – that’s 10 whole days – exploring the city and its surrounding regions without securing a visa beforehand. Under this policy, nationals of 55 eligible countries holding confirmed interline tickets to a third country may disembark, apply for a temporary entry permit at the dedicated visa free counter, and enjoy seamless travel within Beijing Municipality. Whether you’ve just a few hours in transit, or are planning a multi-day deep dive adventure, Beijing’s blend of imperial heritage, modern marvels, and authentic neighbourhood experiences offers an unforgettable taste of China.

In this article, we cover our team’s recommended highlights for one, four, seven and ten day tours in Beijing. And if you still can’t decide on what’s best for you, reach out! The friendly ChinaTours.com crew is here to help.

1 Day Beijing highlights tour

For travellers with just one precious day in Beijing, whether on a tight transit schedule or a whirlwind stopover, this ultimate highlights tour packs the city’s most iconic experiences into a seamless, unforgettable experience. You’ll make your way from imperial palaces to ancient battlements, then round off your day with Beijing’s most renowned dish, Peking duck. Covering the bare Beijing essentials, this tour is perfect for travelers with a short layover or transit.

Morning	Forbidden City
Midday	Mutianyu Great Wall
Optional	Peking Duck meal Hutongs stroll (time permitting)

Whether you’re racing against the clock or simply sampling the essence of Beijing, this one day tour delivers imperial splendor, ancient wonder, and culinary perfection – all in a single, unforgettable transit stop. Enjoy every moment of your Beijing highlights reel!

4 Day Beijing highlights tour

Embark on a captivating four day journey through Beijing, where ancient grandeur and vibrant modernity coexist in perfect harmony. From the moment you touch down at Beijing Capital or Daxing Airport, your private guide will welcome you into the heart of China’s capital, unveiling millennia of history, imperial treasures, and authentic local life. Over the next four days, you’ll wander the vast courtyards of the Forbidden City, marvel at the winding Great Wall, and discover serene temple complexes. Stroll through bustling hutongs, sample street market delights, and witness the city’s spectacular Olympic landmarks. 

Whether you’re a history buff, a culture seeker, or simply in search of an unforgettable adventure, this expertly crafted Beijing tour delivers the perfect blend of iconic sights, insider experiences, and flexible free time, ensuring your Beijing highlights are stored as beautiful travel memories.

Day 1 – Arrival & Orientation	Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKK) Meet guide, transfer to city-center hotel Free afternoon to explore nearby neighbourhood and shopping area
Day 2 – Imperial Beijing	Tiananmen Square Forbidden City Summer Palace Stopover at Bird’s Nest and Water Cube (2008 Olympic venues)
Day 3 – Great Wall & Old City	Mutianyu Great Wall (cable car and walk) Confucius Temple and Imperial College Museum Wudaoying Hutong (shops, café, stroll)
Day 4 – Spiritual Landmark & Departure	Temple of Heaven Transfer to airport or train station for the departure

Experience Beijing’s highlights in four days: explore the Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, and Mutianyu Great Wall; wander historic hutongs; and marvel at the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, seamlessly woven with insider access, private transfers, and free time for your perfect Beijing adventure.

7 Days Beijing highlights tour

Embark on a comprehensive seven-day Beijing journey that blends ancient wonders, modern marvels, and authentic local life. You’ll trace imperial history at the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and National Museum; conquer the Mutianyu Great Wall; wander storied hutongs like Wudaoying and Shichahai; meet giant pandas at Beijing Zoo; and shop for treasures at Panjiayuan and Hongqiao markets, immerse into Beijing’s art and fashion at Sanlitun and 798 art zone. With thoughtful pacing and curated experiences, this tour ensures an immersive, unforgettable exploration of China’s dynamic capital.

Day 1 – Arrival & City Orientation	Arrive at Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX) International Airport Meet your private guide and transfer to your central 4 or 5 star hotel Enroute orientation drive past key landmarks Free afternoon to explore nearby streets and markets
Day 2 – Imperial Beijing	Tiananmen Square Forbidden City Summer Palace
Day 3 – Spiritual & Ancient Wonders	Temple of Heaven Mutianyu Great Wall (cable car + walk) Stopover at Bird’s Nest & Water Cube (2008 Olympic venues)
Day 4 – Monastic, Scholarly & Traditional Lanes	Beijing Zoo (giant pandas, aquarium) Lama Temple (Yonghegong) Wudaoying Hutong (shops, café, stroll) Confucius Temple & Imperial College Museum
Day 5 – Art, History & Fashion	National Museum of China (Chinese history & art) Shichahai & Prince Gong Mansion (hutongs & siheyuan) Sanlitun (fashion & trends) 798 Art Zone (creative & contemporary art)
Day 6 – Markets & Local life	Hongqiao Pearl Market (souvenirs & pearls) Panjiayuan Antique Market (antiques & handicrafts) A famous local food market Zhaojunsheng (local life, snacks) JD MALL (futuristic shopping hub of China’s largest retailer, JD.com)
Day 7 – Departure	Transfer to airport or train station for onward journey

This comprehensive six night tour weaves together the magnificent of Beijing’s imperial history, vibrant hutongs, local markets showcasing both the beautiful and brash, popular shopping destinations, and modern attractions. Perfect for travelers with time and who enjoy getting ‘under the bonnet’ of the destinations they visit.

Extended Beijing DIY tour (10+ days)

While some travelers enjoy the company and support of bilingual guides, there are others who embrace adventure and prefer to self manage their exploration. This extended 10+ days Beijing DIY tour is flexible enough to take everything listed in our recommended one, four, and seven day tours – and then some. As experienced tour designers, here’s our ‘ingredients list’ for the resourceful, adventurous type who loves to discover on their own.

Deep Dives on Beijing’s Iconic Sites	Great Wall exploration: Choose from full day hikes or multi-day camping on Mutianyu, Simatai, Jinshanling, or other sections Full day visit to Gubei Water Town (Beijing Wtown) Forbidden City and Imperial Treasures Themed tours: Qing Dynasty architecture, private collection highlights, and lectures on palace design and restoration Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Boat rowing and calligraphy workshops in imperial gardens
Cultural Immersion & Learning	Traditional Chinese Medicine: Book herbal consults, massage, and acupuncture sessions Calligraphy, painting, kite making, or clay figurine studios Martial arts & performance: Early-morning Tai Chi with local masters Beijing Opera mask making and face changing demonstrations
Neighborhoods & Hutong Life	Homestays in courtyard siheyuan for authentic family run experiences Hutong trails: Self guided or rickshaw tours through Nanluoguxiang, Shichahai, Wudaoying, and hidden alleys Panjiayuan antiques, Hongqiao pearls, Huguosi local snacks, and Ghost Street (Guijie) at night Local markets and street eats
Art, Design & Contemporary Creativity	798 Art Zone and Songzhuang Art Colony: Gallery-hopping, studio visits, and artist talks Specialty Museums: Guanfu Museum, Capital Museum, UCCA, Peking Opera Museum, and themed houses showcasing tea, porcelain, and film Aesthetic bookstores: Xiyuetang, Mofanshuju Bookstore + Poetic Space, Zhongshuge, and Zhengyang
Leisure, Wellness & Modern Amenities	Olympic Forest Park for cycling or running Spa retreats with TCM massages and herbal baths Rooftop tea lounges, craft beer bars, and live music venues High end shopping at mixed use complexes (choose from SKP, Sanlitun, Taikoo Li)
Beijing & Beyond Excursions	Grand Canal exploration – Enjoy boat rides and rural village visits along Beijing’s historic waterway Tianjin – Discover colonial architecture, Yangliuqing New Year paintings, and riverside promenades Chengde – Visit the Imperial Summer Resort and UNESCO gardens Qinhuangdao and Beidaihe for beach resorts and coastal fortresses Shijiazhuang’s Zhengding Ancient City temples and pagodas Datong – Famous for the Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple Pingyao – A unique fully walled Old Town living museum

Whether you stay for ten days or two weeks, Beijing offers endless ways to build your perfect China travel adventure, with experiences that span six key themes: iconic landmarks, cultural immersion, local neighborhood life, contemporary art and design, wellness and leisure, and regional excursions. You might hike remote sections of the Great Wall, join a calligraphy or martial arts workshop, wander hidden hutongs, explore contemporary galleries in the 798 Art Zone, unwind in a traditional spa, or take day trips to ancient towns and beachside escapes. With so many options across these diverse perspectives, you can mix and match to design a trip that reflects your interests.