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Beijing 3-Day Route
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Good to follow: where to go each day, in what order, what's free.
Verify before you go: all prices, hours, booking rules (marked estimates).

📅 Start dateSet your dates and the book turns to the right day

Three days in Beijing, built around two big sights a day and a lot of sitting down. Day 1 lands at PEK at 14:00 and stays near the old lanes in Dongcheng. Day 2 is Temple of Heaven plus Qianmen. Day 3 is Summer Palace, then back to PEK for a 19:00 flight. Everything sits on the same east-central spine, so you are not crossing the city twice a day.

Beijing is big and spread out. Traffic eats time. The metro is fast and cheap, but stations are huge and transfers are long walks. Plan on one district per half-day, not three. Dongcheng is the easiest base for a first trip: hutongs, food, and metro lines all within walking distance.

Three things to lock down before you fly. 1) Entry rules: check your eligibility, allowed stay length, and which ports you can use on the official Chinese embassy or consulate site for your country, and on the National Immigration Administration site. Rules change, and this book has no live policy data. 2) Forbidden City, National Museum, and some park halls need a passport-based online reservation days ahead, often with a daily quota. 3) If your dates land on Chinese New Year, Golden Week (early October), or a long weekend, book trains, hotels, and timed tickets earlier and expect crowds.
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Before you go

  • Check entry eligibility and stay length on official immigration or consular sources. Do not rely on forums.
  • Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay and link a foreign card before you fly. Test a small payment at home if you can.
  • Download an offline map of Beijing and save your hotel name and address in Chinese characters.
  • Book timed tickets that need a passport number, and keep your passport on you every day.

Pack list

  • Passport plus a photo of the ID page on your phone
  • Comfortable walking shoes, broken in
  • Power bank and a Type A/C/I plug adapter
  • Small day bag, refillable water bottle
  • Any medication, in original packaging
  • A printed card in Chinese listing your diet: no shellfish, vegetarian

Before you set off

    Check any booking, closure, last-entry or transport detail not listed here. Use the day’s Plan B if sold out.

    Beijing · cluster overview (schematic, not to scale)D1Arrival and Dongcheng olD2Temple of Heaven and QiaD3Summer Palace and departN
    One block per day. Draft schematic, for route checking only.
    GETTING AROUND

    Routes & transport

    Getting in and out

    PEK to Dongcheng: Airport Express train to Dongzhimen, then metro or a short taxi. Total about 60-90 min【estimate】. Cost roughly CNY 25-30 for the train【estimate】, or CNY 100-130 by taxi【estimate】. Taxi is easier with bags. Use the official taxi queue, not touts.

    Departure day: leave for PEK Terminal 3 by 14:30 for a 19:00 flight. That gives about 2.5 hours before boarding, which is normal for international check-in and security. Add 30 min if it is a holiday.

    Getting around

    Metro is the default. Buy a Yikatong card at a station counter, or use the metro QR code inside Alipay. Single rides run CNY 3-7【estimate】. Stations are large, so add 10 min for walking and security checks.

    Alipay and WeChat Pay both accept foreign cards for most payments. Set this up before you arrive. Keep some cash, CNY 200-300【estimate】, for small shops and old stalls that may not take card. Passport is required to buy a SIM, check into hotels, and pick up some reserved tickets.

    DiDi in the Alipay app works for taxis and is easier than hailing. Short rides inside Dongcheng run CNY 15-30【estimate】.

    LegModeTimeNotes
    PEK T3 to Dongcheng hotelAirport Express + metro, or taxi60-90 min【estimate】Taxi easier with luggage
    Hotel to Temple of HeavenMetro25-35 min【estimate】Line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen
    Hotel to QianmenMetro20-30 min【estimate】Line 2 to Qianmen
    Hotel to Summer PalaceMetro or taxi50-70 min【estimate】Line 4 to Beigongmen
    Summer Palace to PEK T3Taxi60-90 min【estimate】Allow buffer for traffic
    DAY 1

    Arrival and Dongcheng old lanes

    ◉ today
    PEK Terminal 3 arrivalsHotel in DongchengNanluoguxiangHotel in Dongcheng
    Today's route · Red = walk/taxi · Blue = metro/bus · Gold = night · schematic, not to scale

    Overnight stay: Beijing

    Daily time budget (estimate)

    15:00–21:00 · Travel 90 min · Buffer 30 min

    Starts after immigration and baggage claim at PEK. One short walk near the hotel only, so the arrival day stays light. Vegetarian dinner near Nanluoguxiang; ask staff to confirm no shellfish sauce or stock.

    🧭
    Today: morning = in the air; afternoon = land at PEK, get to the hotel; evening = short hutong walk and vegetarian dinner.
    15:00–16:30
    Take the Airport Express or a taxi from PEK to your Dongcheng hotel. Airport Express to Dongzhimen runs about 25 min, fare about CNY 25【estimate】. Taxi to Dongcheng is about 45–70 min, CNY 100–130【estimate】, longer in traffic. Have your hotel name and address written in Chinese on your phone before you leave arrivals.
    16:30–17:00
    Check in and rest at hotel · Midday rest. Sit or return to the hotel; no sightseeing during this time.
    17:00–18:30
    Walk Nanluoguxiang and the nearby hutongs. It's one straight lane, about 800 m, easy on arrival day. Side alleys are quieter. Watch for scooters and e-bikes — they come fast and quiet.
    18:30–19:30
    Eat vegetarian dinner near Nanluoguxiang. Try a vegetarian restaurant on the lane or just off it. Order: stir-fried greens, tofu dish, mushroom dish, rice or noodles. Say "no shellfish, no oyster sauce, no fish sauce, no shrimp paste" and ask them to check the stock too. Cross-contact can happen in any kitchen — confirm with staff each time. Budget CNY 60–100【estimate】 per person.
    19:30–20:15
    Set up payments. Add your foreign card to Alipay or WeChat Pay before you need it — both accept most international Visa and Mastercard. Do a small test payment at a convenience store. Also buy a metro card or set up the metro QR code in Alipay. Keep some cash, CNY 200–300【estimate】, as backup.
    20:15–21:00
    Walk or taxi back to the hotel. Walk if it's under 20 min. Taxis start at CNY 13【estimate】. Sleep early — you're jet-lagged.
    🛟
    Plan B: if your flight is late or immigration is slow, skip the hutong walk. Eat at the hotel or a nearby noodle shop and go straight to bed.
    💡
    Beijing hutongs are old residential lanes. People still live there — keep your voice down after 21:00.
    DAY 2

    Temple of Heaven and Qianmen

    ◉ today
    Hotel in DongchengTemple of HeavenQianmen StreetHotel in Dongcheng
    Today's route · Red = walk/taxi · Blue = metro/bus · Gold = night · schematic, not to scale

    Overnight stay: Beijing

    Daily time budget (estimate)

    09:00–20:30 · Travel 60 min · Buffer 60 min

    Two major attractions only. Midday rest at the hotel. Vegetarian lunch and dinner with shellfish-free requests. Metro used for both directions.

    🧭
    Today: morning = Temple of Heaven; afternoon = rest, then Qianmen and Dashilan; evening = vegetarian dinner near Qianmen.
    09:00–09:30
    Take the metro from your hotel to Temple of Heaven. Line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen station. Metro fare is CNY 3–6【estimate】 per ride. Have your metro QR ready before the gates.
    09:30–11:30
    See Temple of Heaven park and the main halls. Buy the through ticket, about CNY 34【estimate】, so you can enter the Hall of Prayer and the Echo Wall. Walk the park paths — locals sing, dance, and play cards in the morning. Two hours is enough.
    11:30–12:00
    Take the metro back toward your hotel. Avoid the 11:30–12:30 rush if you can; trains get packed.
    12:00–13:30
    Rest at hotel · Midday rest. Sit or return to the hotel; no sightseeing during this time.
    13:30–14:15
    Eat vegetarian lunch near the hotel. Look for a vegetarian restaurant or a Buddhist-style place. Order: cold cucumber, braised tofu, seasonal greens, rice. Confirm no shellfish and no oyster sauce. Budget CNY 50–80【estimate】 per person.
    14:15–14:45
    Take the metro to Qianmen. Line 2 to Qianmen station. Walk out and you're at the south end of the old commercial street.
    14:45–17:30
    Walk Qianmen Street and the Dashilan lanes. Qianmen is the main tourist strip; Dashilan is the grid of lanes just west of it, with old shops and quieter corners. Free to walk. Skip the souvenir stalls here — prices are high. If you want a break, sit in a tea house, about CNY 40–80【estimate】.
    17:30–18:30
    Eat vegetarian dinner near Qianmen. Try a vegetarian restaurant in the Dashilan lanes or a noodle shop with tofu and vegetable options. Order: vegetable noodles, fried tofu, greens. Say no shellfish, no shrimp, no fish sauce. Budget CNY 60–100【estimate】 per person.
    18:30–19:15
    Take the metro back to your hotel. Line 2 to your nearest stop. If you're tired, take a taxi, about CNY 30–50【estimate】.
    19:15–20:30
    Pack and check day 3 airport timing. Confirm your flight time, terminal, and how long the trip to PEK takes. Set an alarm. Charge your power bank — it must be in carry-on, not checked.
    🛟
    Plan B: if it rains, swap Qianmen for the indoor shops along the street or a museum. If Temple of Heaven is too crowded, walk the quieter east side of the park.
    💡
    Temple of Heaven tickets are booked by passport on the official WeChat account or at the gate. Bring your passport — it's your ticket ID.
    DAY 3

    Summer Palace and departure

    ◉ today
    Hotel in DongchengSummer PalacePEK Terminal 3 departures
    Today's route · Red = walk/taxi · Blue = metro/bus · Gold = night · schematic, not to scale

    Daily time budget (estimate)

    09:00–19:00 · Travel 120 min · Buffer 60 min

    One major attraction before the flight. Checkout in the morning, luggage stored or carried. Leave enough time for PEK check-in and security before the 19:00 departure.

    🧭
    Today: morning = check out and Summer Palace; afternoon = lunch, rest, then PEK; evening = flight out at 19:00.
    09:00–09:30
    Check out and store luggage at the hotel. Ask the front desk to keep bags until you leave for the airport. Confirm the taxi pickup time.
    09:30–10:30
    Take the metro or a taxi to Summer Palace. Metro Line 4 to Beigongmen station, about 40–50 min from Dongcheng. Taxi is about 40 min, CNY 70–100【estimate】. Metro is cheaper and avoids traffic.
    10:30–13:00
    See Summer Palace lakeside and the Long Corridor. Buy the through ticket, about CNY 60【estimate】. Walk the Long Corridor along Kunming Lake, then up to the Tower of Buddhist Incense if you have energy. Two and a half hours is enough. Wear shoes you can walk in — the grounds are big.
    13:00–14:00
    Eat vegetarian lunch near Summer Palace. There are simple restaurants near the north gate. Order: vegetable dumplings, tofu, greens, rice. Say no shellfish, no oyster sauce, no fish sauce. Budget CNY 50–80【estimate】 per person. If options are thin, eat at the airport instead.
    14:00–14:30
    Sit and rest before airport transfer · Midday rest. Sit or return to the hotel; no sightseeing during this time.
    14:30–16:00
    Take a taxi to PEK Terminal 3. From Summer Palace it's about 60–90 min, CNY 120–160【estimate】. Leave by 14:30 — traffic can be heavy. If you stored bags at the hotel, pick them up first, or take them with you from the start.
    16:00–19:00
    Check in, security, and departure. For a 19:00 international flight, be at the terminal by 16:00. Check in, go through security, find your gate. Eat at the airport if you skipped lunch — look for vegetarian noodles or rice bowls, about CNY 60–100【estimate】. Fill your water bottle after security.
    🛟
    Plan B: if you're running late, skip Summer Palace and go straight to PEK. A missed flight costs more than a missed palace.
    💡
    PEK Terminal 3 is huge. After security, allow 20–30 min to walk to your gate.
    OPTIONAL

    Optional extras

    If you have a free half-day: 798 Art District. Old factory buildings turned into galleries. Free to walk, cafes inside. Metro Line 14 to Wangjing South, then a short taxi. About 2–3 hours.

    If you want a quiet morning: Beihai Park. Smaller than Summer Palace, closer to Dongcheng. Walk around the lake, about 1.5 hours. Ticket about CNY 10【estimate】.

    If you like markets: Panjiayuan Antique Market. Weekend mornings are best. Go early, bargain hard, and don't buy anything you can't carry. Free to enter.

    If you want a slow afternoon: a tea house in the hutongs. Order a pot of tea, sit for an hour, watch the lane. About CNY 50–100【estimate】 per person.

    TICKETS

    Tickets & booking

    PlacePriceBookingLocationHours
    Temple of HeavenPark CNY 15, combo with halls CNY 34【estimate】Passport ticket at gate or online; combo ticket needed for main hallsMetro Line 5, Tiantan Dongmen, Exit APark roughly 06:00-22:00, halls 08:00-17:00, last entry about 16:30【estimate】
    Qianmen Street and DashilanFree to walk【estimate】No booking for the street; individual shops varyMetro Line 2, Qianmen, Exit CStreet open all day; shops roughly 10:00-21:00【estimate】
    Summer PalacePeak season CNY 30 park, CNY 60 combo【estimate】Passport ticket at gate or online; combo covers hallsMetro Line 4, Beigongmen, Exit DRoughly 06:30-18:00, halls close earlier, last entry about 17:00【estimate】
    Nanluoguxiang lanesFree to walk【estimate】No bookingMetro Line 6/8, Nanluoguxiang, Exit EOpen all day; busiest 17:00-21:00【estimate】

    This book was not checked online. All prices are【estimate】. Hours and last-entry times change by season, so confirm at the gate or on the official site the day before.

    GOOD TO KNOW

    Tips & pitfalls

    Paying with a foreign card: add it to Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arrive. Most international Visa and Mastercard work. Do a small test payment at a convenience store first. Keep CNY 200–300【estimate】 cash as backup — small shops and some taxis still prefer cash.

    Booking with a passport: many attractions and trains book by passport number. Bring your passport everywhere — it's your ID and often your ticket. For Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace, book on the official WeChat account or buy at the gate with your passport.

    Offline maps: download an offline map of Beijing before you leave home. Google Maps is unreliable in China. Use Amap or Baidu Maps, or save your hotel location and key stops as screenshots. Have your hotel name and address written in Chinese to show taxi drivers.

    Vegetarian and shellfish: say "no shellfish, no shrimp, no crab, no oyster sauce, no fish sauce, no shrimp paste" every time you order. Ask about the stock and the wok. Cross-contact can happen in any kitchen — confirm with staff each meal. Buddhist vegetarian restaurants are the safest bet.

    Metro: buy a single-ride ticket at the machine with cash or use the metro QR in Alipay. Fares are CNY 3–6【estimate】. Avoid 07:30–09:00 and 17:30–19:00 if you can — trains get very full.

    Taxi and ride-hailing: use the official taxi queue at the airport and stations. Didi works in the Alipay app with a foreign card. Show the driver your destination in Chinese. Taxis start at CNY 13【estimate】.

    Internet: many foreign apps and sites are blocked. If you need them, arrange your own access before you fly. Hotel Wi-Fi usually works for basic browsing.

    Entry rules: check your own eligibility with the official Chinese embassy or consulate and the National Immigration Administration before you book. Rules depend on your nationality and change. Don't rely on what a friend or a blog says.

    WHERE TO SLEEP

    Where to stay

    AreaReference priceWhy
    Dongcheng, near Nanluoguxiang or YonghegongUSD 70-120 per night【estimate】Hutongs, food, Line 5 and Line 2 close. Best for a first trip and short stays.
    WangfujingUSD 90-160 per night【estimate】Central, walkable to Qianmen, more hotels and English signage. Pricier and busier.
    Qianmen / DashilanUSD 60-110 per night【estimate】Old lanes and easy metro. Good for Day 2, but fewer quiet rooms.

    Booking notes

    Pick a hotel within 5-8 min walk of a metro station on Line 2 or Line 5. That covers all three days without long transfers.

    Three questions to ask before booking: Does the hotel accept foreign guests and register foreign passports? Is the room quiet, away from the street? Can they store luggage on Day 3 after checkout?

    Light sleepers: hutong guesthouses are charming but can be noisy at night. Ask for a room off the main lane, or book a chain hotel on a side street.

    KNOW THE NUMBERS

    Budget

    USD 400
    Budget target, excluding flights
    USD 130-180
    Likely lodging, 2 nights【estimate】
    USD 60-90
    Food and local transport, 3 days【estimate】
    ItemLocal currencyUSD reference
    Hotel, 2 nightsCNY 900-1300【estimate】USD 130-180【estimate】
    Airport transfers, both waysCNY 200-300【estimate】USD 30-45【estimate】
    Metro and short taxis, 3 daysCNY 80-150【estimate】USD 12-22【estimate】
    Attraction ticketsCNY 80-120【estimate】USD 12-18【estimate】
    Vegetarian meals, 3 daysCNY 250-400【estimate】USD 35-60【estimate】
    SIM or eSIM dataCNY 50-150【estimate】USD 8-22【estimate】
    Hidden cost: card foreign transaction fee1-3% of card spend【estimate】USD 5-15【estimate】
    Hidden cost: taxi from Summer Palace to PEKCNY 150-220【estimate】USD 22-32【estimate】

    Exchange rate used here is a rough estimate only, about CNY 7.2 per USD【estimate】. It is not live. Check the real rate in your bank app or on XE.com before you go.

    IF THINGS GO WRONG

    If things go wrong

    Heavy rain

    Summer afternoons can bring sudden storms. Carry a small umbrella. If it pours, move indoors: a mall, a tea house, or a museum. Skip outdoor walking and take the metro instead of walking between stops.

    Attraction fully booked

    Popular sites sell out on holidays. Book 1–3 days ahead on the official WeChat account with your passport. If it's full, swap to a nearby park or a free hutong walk. Have a backup list ready.

    Missed train or bus

    If you miss a train, go to the ticket office with your passport. Same-day changes depend on availability. For a missed flight, go to the airline desk immediately. Keep your booking number and passport handy.

    Stomach trouble or lost passport

    For stomach trouble, drink bottled water, eat plain rice or noodles, and rest. For a lost passport, report it to the police, get a police report, then contact your embassy or consulate. Keep a photo of your passport and visa page on your phone and in your email.

    JUST EAT HERE

    Food list

    MealAreaRestaurantOrderPer person
    Breakfast · casualNear hotel, DongchengAny local breakfast shop or convenience storeSteamed buns, soy milk, congee, boiled eggCNY 15–30【estimate】
    Lunch · Day 1In the air / PEKAirport food courtVegetable noodles or rice bowl; confirm no shellfishCNY 50–80【estimate】
    Dinner · Day 1NanluoguxiangVegetarian restaurant on or near the laneStir-fried greens, tofu, mushrooms, rice; no oyster sauceCNY 60–100【estimate】
    Breakfast · Day 2Near hotelLocal shop or convenience storeCongee, buns, soy milkCNY 15–30【estimate】
    Lunch · Day 2Near hotel, DongchengVegetarian or Buddhist-style restaurantCold cucumber, braised tofu, greens, riceCNY 50–80【estimate】
    Afternoon tea · Day 2Qianmen / DashilanTea house in the lanesPot of tea, maybe a snackCNY 40–80【estimate】
    Dinner · Day 2Qianmen / DashilanVegetarian restaurant or noodle shopVegetable noodles, fried tofu, greens; no fish sauceCNY 60–100【estimate】
    Breakfast · Day 3Near hotelLocal shop or convenience storeCongee, buns, soy milkCNY 15–30【estimate】
    Lunch · Day 3Summer Palace north gateSimple restaurant near the gateVegetable dumplings, tofu, greens, riceCNY 50–80【estimate】
    Dinner · Day 3PEK Terminal 3Airport restaurantVegetarian noodles or rice bowl; confirm no shellfishCNY 60–100【estimate】
    BRING HOME

    Souvenirs

    TypeRecommendationPriceWhere to buy
    TeaJasmine tea or green tea, sealed tinCNY 50–150【estimate】Tea shop in Dashilan or a supermarket
    SnacksPackaged candied fruit, sesame cakesCNY 20–60【estimate】Supermarket or convenience store
    CraftsCloisonne small dish, paper cutsCNY 30–120【estimate】Dashilan lanes or a museum shop
    TextilesSilk scarf, cotton toteCNY 80–200【estimate】Department store or Dashilan
    BooksPostcards, small art printsCNY 15–50【estimate】Museum shop or bookstore

    Don't buy at the attraction gate. Prices there run two to three times higher than a supermarket or a lane shop a few blocks away. Walk 10 minutes off the main strip and compare two or three shops before you pay. Keep receipts if you plan to claim anything at customs.

    Beijing 3-Day Route

    3 days 2 nights · Solo or couple · Dates not set
    Quick draft: prices not web-checked — double-check before you go

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