Beijing 2-Day Route Book
Planning guidance · confirm before travel
Confirm before travel: prices, hours, booking rules and transport schedules. Linked evidence supports individual details, not the entire book.
Two days, two clusters. Day 1 is the imperial axis: Forbidden City from the south gate, then Jingshan Park right behind it for the view back down over the roofs. Day 2 moves southeast: Temple of Heaven in the morning, then Qianmen Street for the afternoon. These are two different parts of the city, not one walkable zone — plan a metro ride between them.
Beijing is big and spread out. Distances on the map lie. Build your day around one cluster, eat lunch where you already are, and let the metro do the long hops. Carry your passport all day — you need it to book and to enter several sites.
Before you go
- Check entry rules for your passport with an official Chinese embassy or consulate site — do this first, everything else depends on it.
- Set an alarm for 20:00 Beijing time, 7 days before your Forbidden City date, to book on the official site. Have every visitor's passport number ready.
- Add Alipay or WeChat Pay and link a foreign card before you fly. Test a small payment once you land.
- Download an offline map of Beijing and save your hotel name and address in Chinese characters on your phone.
Pack list
- Passport plus a photo of the ID page on your phone
- Comfortable shoes — Day 1 alone is several hours on stone
- Power bank and a plug adapter for China
- Refillable bottle; hot water dispensers are common
- A light layer — October mornings and evenings run cool
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.
Places & sources · 7/11Expand as needed
· External searches are not confirmed bookings; check the branch, dates, price and availability.
Field coverage: Address 4/11 / Hours 1/11 / Phone 1/11 / Booking 1/11 / Price 1/11
© OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL
故宫博物院 · attraction
Details & sources
Address: 北京市东城区景山前街4号故宫博物院科研处 Source
Hours: 除法定节假日，故宫博物院全年实行周一闭馆 Source
Phone: 400-950-1925 Source
Booking: 参观须提前订票，最早可于参观7日前20:00开始预订。 Source
Price: 每年4月1日至10月31日为旺季，大门票60元/人； Source
Coordinates (open data): 39.9174311, 116.3907817
Open data fetched: 2026-10-14T01:27:57.388236+00:00 · cache
OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL Downloaded website (identity checked during extraction) Downloaded linked page Downloaded linked page Downloaded website (identity checked during extraction) Downloaded linked pageUnconfirmed: Last admission / Closure notice / Rating / Rating count
天坛公园 · attraction
Details & sources
Coordinates (open data): 39.8799066, 116.4028716
Open data fetched: 2026-10-14T01:27:58.488338+00:00 · cache
OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbLUnconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Last admission / Closure notice / Rating / Rating count
景山公园 · attraction
Details & sources
Coordinates (open data): 39.9244589, 116.3903973
Open data fetched: 2026-10-14T01:28:00.110959+00:00 · cache
OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL Downloaded website (identity checked during extraction) Downloaded website (identity checked during extraction) Downloaded linked pageUnconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Last admission / Closure notice / Rating / Rating count
前门大街 · attraction
Details & sources
Coordinates (open data): 39.895208333333336, 116.39183333333334
WikidataUnconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Last admission / Closure notice / Rating / Rating count
天安门东站 · transport
Details & sources
Address: 东长安街 100010 北京市 中国 Source
Coordinates (open data): 39.9063337, 116.3949169
Open data fetched: 2026-10-14T01:31:17.111733+00:00 · cache
OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbLUnconfirmed: Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Last admission / Closure notice / Rating / Rating count
天坛东门站 · transport
Details & sources
Address: 天坛东路 100010 北京市 中国 Source
Coordinates (open data): 39.8822567, 116.4145694
Open data fetched: 2026-10-14T01:31:18.847188+00:00 · cache
OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbLUnconfirmed: Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Last admission / Closure notice / Rating / Rating count
四季民福烤鸭店(故宫店) · restaurant
Details & sources
rate_limited
Unconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Last admission / Closure notice / Rating / Rating count
海底捞火锅(王府井店) · restaurant
Details & sources
rate_limited
Unconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Last admission / Closure notice / Rating / Rating count
北京饭店诺金 · hotel
Details & sources
Hotel identity/location only: current operation, availability, room rates and child policies are not confirmed.
Address: 东长安街33号, 东城区, 北京, 北京, 中国 Source
Downloaded website (identity checked during extraction) Downloaded linked pageUnconfirmed: Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Last admission / Closure notice / Rating / Rating count
北京王府半岛酒店 · hotel
Details & sources
Hotel identity/location only: current operation, availability, room rates and child policies are not confirmed.
rate_limited
Unconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Last admission / Closure notice / Rating / Rating count
北京王府井希尔顿酒店 · hotel
Details & sources
Hotel identity/location only: current operation, availability, room rates and child policies are not confirmed.
rate_limited
Unconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Last admission / Closure notice / Rating / Rating count
Routes & transport
Getting into the city
No airport transfer needed for this plan. If you do land at an airport, the Airport Express and metro run into town; taxi is the simple option with luggage. Fares and first/last train times: check on arrival, they change by season.
Getting around
Metro is the workhorse. Buy a Yikatong card or use the metro QR code inside Alipay/WeChat. Stations have English signs and ticket machines take cash or QR. For short hops inside a cluster, walk. Taxis and ride-hailing work but sit in traffic at peak hours.
Alipay and WeChat Pay both accept foreign cards for most payments — set them up before you arrive and keep a little cash as backup. Some small shops still prefer cash or QR only.
| Leg | Mode | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel to Tian'anmen East area | Metro | 20-40 min【estimate】 | Depends on your hotel; check the map for your line and transfer |
| Forbidden City to Jingshan Park | Walk | about 17 min, 1.2 km【estimate】 | Exit the north gate, Jingshan is across the street |
| Jingshan area back to hotel | Metro | 20-40 min【estimate】 | Find the nearest station on your map at the time |
| Hotel to Temple of Heaven East Gate | Metro | 20-40 min【estimate】 | Station name matches the park's east gate |
| Temple of Heaven to Qianmen Street | Walk or metro | 42 min walk, 3.1 km【estimate】; metro shorter | Walk if the weather is good, otherwise ride |
| Qianmen back to hotel | Metro | 20-40 min【estimate】 | Qianmen area has several nearby stations |
Route & travel checks
Checked snapshot: 2026-10-14T09:43
- Day 1 · 故宫博物院 → 景山公园：1.2 km · 17 min walking estimate
- Day 2 · 天坛公园 → 前门大街：3.1 km · 42 min walking estimate
- Beijing · Next 48 hours (UTC) · 11.3–26.0 °C。Check the latest forecast before outdoor visits. MET Norway · 2026-10-14T09:43 UTC · CC BY 4.0
Road estimates are not live traffic or transit schedules. Weather is a generation-time snapshot, not a travel-day guarantee. Unavailable hours remain unknown.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL · Valhalla / OSRM / FOSSGIS · Fix the map
Forbidden City and the old imperial axis
◉ todayOvernight stay: Beijing
Daily time budget (estimate)
08:30–17:30 · Travel 120 min · Buffer 60 min
Moderate pace, no airport transfers, Forbidden City must-do. Passport booking explained without claiming visa eligibility.
Temple of Heaven and hutong lanes
◉ todayDaily time budget (estimate)
08:30–17:00 · Travel 90 min · Buffer 60 min
Moderate pace, no airport transfers, Temple of Heaven must-do. Passport booking explained without claiming visa eligibility.
Optional extras
If you have extra time
1. Walk the hutong lanes west of Qianmen. Small streets, local snack shops, no ticket needed. Check opening hours on the shop door; many close early evening.
2. Add the National Museum of China near Tian'anmen East if you want an indoor backup. It often needs advance booking; check the official channel for your date. Do not assume walk-in entry.
3. Ride the metro one stop to Wangfujing for an evening walk and a bookstore. Good for a rainy hour. Confirm store hours on the door.
4. Sit in Jingshan Park longer at sunset if the sky is clear. Buy the park ticket at the gate; price not retrieved, confirm on site.
Tickets & booking
| Site | Price | Booking | Location | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forbidden City (Palace Museum)Map ↗ | 60 CNY peak season, Apr 1-Oct 31【estimate】 | Must book ahead; official site says booking opens 7 days before at 20:00. Passport number required per visitor. | Address on file: 北京市东城区景山前街4号; nearest metro Tian'anmen East area — confirm the exact exit on your map that day | Closed Mondays except public holidays; last entry time not confirmed — check the official site before you go【estimate】 |
| Jingshan ParkMap ↗ | Not confirmed【estimate】 | Booking rule not confirmed — check on arrival | Directly north of the Forbidden City north gate | Not confirmed【estimate】 |
| Temple of HeavenMap ↗ | Not confirmed【estimate】 | Booking rule not confirmed — check before you go | Nearest metro: Temple of Heaven East Gate station, on file at 天坛东路 | Not confirmed【estimate】 |
| Qianmen StreetMap ↗ | Street, no ticket【estimate】 | No booking expected for the street itself; individual shops vary | South of Tian'anmen, walkable from Temple of Heaven | Street open all day; shops have their own hours【estimate】 |
Sources and fields retrieved for this trip are listed in the overview's network query section. Anything marked not confirmed still needs checking — prices and hours here are estimates, not verified figures.
Tips & pitfalls
Book the Forbidden City with your passport number. The ticket is tied to that passport, so bring the same one. The official site says booking opens 7 days ahead at 20:00. If your passport number has a letter, type it exactly.
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you land. Link a foreign card and test a small payment. Some small shops only take QR payment. Keep 100–200 yuan cash as backup【估算】.
Download an offline map of Beijing before you go. Save your hotel name and address in Chinese characters. Show the Chinese text to a taxi driver; do not rely on English spelling.
Entry rules, visa, and visa-free conditions: check the official immigration or consular source for your nationality before booking flights. This itinerary cannot confirm whether you need a visa, how long you can stay, or which ports you can use.
Metro security checks bags at every station. Leave extra 10 minutes in the morning. Do not carry a power bank over the airline limit; check the label.
Food allergies: tell the server in writing, show a translated card. Ask about peanuts, sesame, wheat, and shellfish. No restaurant can promise zero cross-contact; check with the kitchen.
If you feel unwell, rest and drink water. For serious or lasting symptoms, contact local medical services or your travel insurance hotline. Do not self-prescribe.
Keep your passport on you. Hotels and some attractions check it. Take a photo of the passport page and keep it offline in your phone.
Where to stay
| Area | Reference price | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wangfujing / Dongcheng | Mid-range 500-900 CNY per night【estimate】 | Walkable to Tian'anmen East and the Forbidden City side; lots of food. One hotel on file here: Beijing Hotel NUO, address 东长安街33号 — treat as a candidate only, not a confirmed booking. |
| Qianmen / Dashilan | Mid-range 450-850 CNY per night【estimate】 | Close to Day 2's Qianmen Street; older lanes, more character, slightly farther from the Forbidden City. |
| Near Temple of Heaven East Gate | Mid-range 400-750 CNY per night【estimate】 | Puts you at Day 2's entrance in minutes; quieter evenings, fewer restaurants right outside. |
How to pick
Draw your two days on a map first. If you want to walk to the Forbidden City, stay in Dongcheng. If you'd rather wake up next to Day 2, stay near Temple of Heaven East Gate. Either way, check the metro line from your hotel to both sites before you book.
Three questions when booking
1. Does the rate include breakfast, and what time does it start? You'll want to leave early. 2. Can they hold luggage before check-in and after check-out? 3. Is the address written in Chinese on the confirmation? You'll need that for taxis.
Light sleeper note
Rooms facing a main road or a hutong bar street can be loud. Ask for a room away from the street, and check whether the hotel is on a pedestrian lane that taxis can't enter.
Budget
| Item | Estimate | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Forbidden City ticket | 60 CNY【estimate】 | Peak season rate from the official site; off-season differs |
| Jingshan Park ticket | Not confirmed【estimate】 | Usually cheap; check at the gate |
| Temple of Heaven ticket | Not confirmed【estimate】 | Check before you go |
| Metro rides | 3-8 CNY per ride【estimate】 | Depends on distance |
| Meals | 40-120 CNY per meal【estimate】 | Noodle shops cheap, sit-down duck dinner much more |
| Hotel | 500-900 CNY per night【estimate】 | Mid-range, central |
| Hidden cost: airport or station taxi if plans change | 100-150 CNY【estimate】 | Not in this plan, but budget it as a backup |
| Hidden cost: mobile data / eSIM | 50-150 CNY for the trip【estimate】 | Sort before you fly |
Prices are in Chinese yuan (CNY). Exchange rates move daily — check your bank's app or XE.com for the live rate before you convert.
If things go wrong
Heavy rain
Swap outdoor stops for indoor ones: National Museum of China (check booking), a teahouse near Qianmen, or a mall near Wangfujing. Metro still runs. Keep shoes dry, buy a cheap umbrella at a convenience store.
Attraction fully booked
Forbidden City sold out: go to Jingshan Park and walk the moat outside. Temple of Heaven sold out: walk the outer park ring, which is often open. Never buy from touts. Check the official channel again in the evening; cancellations happen.
Missed metro or train
Check the next train on the station board. For metro, just wait for the next one, usually a few minutes【估算】. For intercity rail, go to the ticket office with your passport and ask about rebooking. Do not leave the station without checking.
Stomach trouble or lost passport
Stomach trouble: rest, sip water, eat plain food if you feel like it. If it lasts or gets worse, contact local medical services. Lost passport: report to the local police station, get a report, then contact your embassy or consulate. Keep a photo of your passport and visa page offline.
Food list
| Day | Meal | Area | Place | Order | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Breakfast | Hotel area | Any convenience store or hotel breakfast | Coffee, baozi, eggs | 20–40 yuan【估算】 |
| Day 1 | Lunch | Near Jingshan east gate | Siji Minfu Roast Duck (Forbidden City branch) or Haidilao Hot Pot (Wangfujing branch) | Roast duck half, pancakes; or hot pot set | 80–150 yuan【估算】 |
| Day 1 | Afternoon tea | Jingshan area | Teahouse near the park gate | Jasmine tea, small snacks | 30–60 yuan【估算】 |
| Day 1 | Dinner | Hotel area | Any busy noodle shop near the hotel | Zhajiangmian, dumplings | 40–80 yuan【估算】 |
| Day 2 | Breakfast | Hotel area | Any convenience store or hotel breakfast | Youtiao, soy milk, coffee | 20–40 yuan【估算】 |
| Day 2 | Lunch | Near Qianmen | Side-street roast duck or dumpling shop | Roast duck, dumplings, greens | 60–120 yuan【估算】 |
| Day 2 | Afternoon tea | Qianmen | Teahouse on Qianmen Street | Tea, pastry | 30–60 yuan【估算】 |
| Day 2 | Dinner | Hotel area | Any local restaurant near the hotel | Stir-fry, rice, soup | 50–100 yuan【估算】 |
Souvenirs
| Type | Recommend | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tea | Jasmine tea, small tin | 50–150 yuan【估算】 | Tea shop on Qianmen side streets |
| Snacks | Packaged hawthorn, candied fruit | 20–50 yuan【估算】 | Convenience store or supermarket |
| Craft | Paper fan, bookmark | 20–80 yuan【估算】 | Museum shop inside the Forbidden City |
| Cloth | Silk scarf, plain design | 100–300 yuan【估算】 | Department store near Wangfujing |
| Postcard | Beijing skyline set | 10–30 yuan【估算】 | Post office or museum shop |
Do not buy at the attraction gate. Prices there run 2–3 times higher【估算】. Walk one block to a supermarket or department store for the same item. For tea, ask to smell it first and check the tin seal.