Beijing 3-Day Route
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Confirm before travel: prices, hours, booking rules and transport schedules. Linked evidence supports individual details, not the entire book.
Three relaxed days in Beijing for two first-time visitors from Canada. One hotel, public transport only, no airport transfers. Day 1 is the Forbidden City and the old imperial axis. Day 2 is the Temple of Heaven and the hutong lanes. Day 3 is the Summer Palace and slow lakeside time. Days 1 and 2 cover different parts of central Beijing. The Summer Palace on Day 3 is in Haidian, outside those central clusters. Check the transfer for your chosen entrance: the East Gate is reached from Xiyuan and the North Gate from Beigongmen on Line 4. See the official Beijing access guide (checked 2026-10-14). Leave time for transfers; this guide does not confirm live journey times.
Beijing is big and flat in the center. The old city is a grid, so walking is easy to plan but distances add up. Afternoons stay open on purpose. Sit down often. The city rewards slow mornings and short walks, not full-day marches.
Before you fly
- Check visa or visa-free entry rules for your passport on the Chinese embassy or consulate site and the National Immigration Administration site. Do not rely on second-hand lists.
- Book Forbidden City tickets on the official site with passport numbers. Check the release window and the daily cap yourself.
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay and link a foreign card before you fly. Test a small payment. Carry a physical card and some cash as backup.
- Download offline maps for Beijing and save your hotel name and address in Chinese characters on your phone and on paper.
Packing list
- Passport plus a photocopy and a phone photo of the data page
- Comfortable flat shoes with grip; Beijing pavements are uneven in the old lanes
- Refillable water bottle; hot water dispensers are common, cold bottled water is cheap
- Sun hat, sunscreen and a light scarf for dust or sun
- Any prescription medicine in original packaging with a copy of the prescription
- Power bank and a universal adapter (China uses 220V, type A/C/I sockets)
- A small day bag; large bags are not allowed into the Forbidden City
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 · 7/13Expand as needed
· External searches are not confirmed bookings; check the branch, dates, price and availability.
Field coverage: Address 4/13 / Hours 1/13 / Phone 1/13 / Booking 0/13 / Price 1/13
© OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL
故宫博物院 · attraction
Details & sources
Address: 4号 景山前街 100010 北京市 中国 Source
Hours: 旺季 4.1-10.31 每年4月1日至10月31日采用旺季开放时间 开放入馆时间： 8:30 停止入馆时间： 16:00 珍宝馆、钟表馆停止入馆时间： 16:10 闭馆时间： 17:00 11.1-3.31 淡季 每年11月1日至来年3月31日采用淡季开放时间 开放入馆时间： 8:30 停止入馆时间： 15:30 珍宝馆、钟表馆停止入馆时间： 15:40 闭馆时间： 16:30 Source
Price: 每年4月1日至10月31日为旺季，大门票60元/人； 每年11月1日至次年3月31日为淡季，大门票40元/人； 珍宝馆门票：10元/人； 钟表馆门票：10元/人； Source
Phone: 400-950-1925 Source
Coordinates (open data): 39.9174311, 116.3907817
Open data fetched: 2026-10-14T01:27:57.388236+00:00
OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL Downloaded website (identity checked during extraction) Downloaded linked page Downloaded linked pageUnconfirmed: Booking / 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
OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbLUnconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Rating / Rating count
颐和园 · attraction
Details & sources
Address: 19 新建宫门路 100091 北京市 北京市 中国 Source
Coordinates (open data): 39.9900983, 116.2647403
Open data fetched: 2026-10-14T01:28:01.593802+00:00
OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbLUnconfirmed: Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / 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
OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL Downloaded website (identity checked during extraction)Unconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Rating / Rating count
前门大街 · attraction
Details & sources
access_denied
Unconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Rating / Rating count
大栅栏 · attraction
Details & sources
Address: 大栅栏街 100032 北京市 中国 Source
Coordinates (open data): 39.8944985, 116.390172
Open data fetched: 2026-10-14T01:28:03.809313+00:00
OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbLUnconfirmed: Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Rating / Rating count
京兆尹 · restaurant
Details & sources
access_denied
Downloaded website (identity checked during extraction)Unconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Rating / Rating count
天厨妙香素食 · restaurant
Details & sources
Coordinates (open data): 39.9938605, 116.3230472
Open data fetched: 2026-10-14T01:28:06.405927+00:00
OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbLUnconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Rating / Rating count
荷塘月色素食餐厅 · restaurant
Details & sources
access_denied
Unconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Rating / Rating count
素极 · restaurant
Details & sources
rate_limited
Unconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Rating / Rating count
北京东直门智选假日酒店 · 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 / Rating / Rating count
北京诺富特和平宾馆 · hotel
Details & sources
Hotel identity/location only: current operation, availability, room rates and child policies are not confirmed.
Address: 3 金鱼胡同 100010 Beijing 中国 Source
Coordinates (open data): 39.9144366, 116.4091028
Open data fetched: 2026-10-14T01:28:11.269215+00:00
OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbLUnconfirmed: Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Rating / Rating count
北京建国饭店 · hotel
Details & sources
Hotel identity/location only: current operation, availability, room rates and child policies are not confirmed.
unavailable
Unconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Rating / Rating count
Routes & transport
Getting into the city
No airport transfers in this plan. From Beijing Capital Airport (PEK), the Airport Express train runs to Dongzhimen and Sanyuanqiao, then you change to the metro. From Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX), the Daxing Airport Express runs to Caoqiao, then you change to the metro. Both are cheap and run through the day. Fares are roughly CNY 25-35【估算】depending on route. Check the last train time on the official Beijing Metro site or app before a late arrival. A taxi or ride-hailing car from PEK to central Dongcheng is roughly CNY 100-130【估算】; from PKX it is roughly CNY 180-230【估算】. Prices vary with traffic and time of day.
Getting around
Use the metro for everything in this plan. Buy a Yikatong transport card at a station service window, or use the metro QR code inside Alipay or WeChat Pay if your foreign card is linked and the mini-program accepts it. Single rides are CNY 3-7【估算】depending on distance. A one-day pass is not always worth it for three or four rides. Stations have lifts and escalators, but not every exit does; check the station map for the exit with a lift if stairs are a problem. Buses are cheaper but slower and harder to read without Chinese. Taxis and ride-hailing are fine for short hops; show the driver your destination in Chinese characters.
| Leg | Mode | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel to Tian'anmen East Station | Metro | 20-30 min【估算】 | Line 1. Exit A or B toward the square. Expect a security check. |
| Tian'anmen East to Forbidden City Meridian Gate | Walk | 15-25 min【估算】 | Flat but long. Passport check at the gate. No large bags. |
| Forbidden City to Dongsi area | Metro or taxi | 20-30 min【估算】 | Exit at the north end, then Line 5 or a short taxi ride. |
| Hotel to Temple of Heaven East Gate | Metro | 25-35 min【估算】 | Line 5 to Tiantandongmen. Exit C or A. |
| Temple of Heaven to Qianmen | Metro | 20-30 min【估算】 | Line 5 to Chongwenmen, change to Line 2 to Qianmen. |
| Hotel to Summer Palace North Palace Gate | Metro | 50-70 min【估算】 | Line 4 to Beigongmen. Long ride; sit down and rest. |
| Summer Palace back to hotel | Metro | 50-70 min【估算】 | Same line back. Avoid the evening peak if you can. |
Day 1: Forbidden City and the old imperial axis
◉ todayOvernight stay: Beijing
Daily time budget (estimate)
09:30–18:00 · Travel 80 min · Buffer 60 min
No airport transfer. Start after hotel check-in and breakfast. Forbidden City is the must-do. Use metro to Tian'anmen East, walk the central axis slowly, skip the steep Jingshan climb and rest at the east gate area instead. Vegetarian lunch and dinner are booked as separate slots. Afternoon stays flexible with a long rest slot.
Day 2: Temple of Heaven and hutong lanes
◉ todayOvernight stay: Beijing
Daily time budget (estimate)
09:30–18:00 · Travel 120 min · Buffer 60 min
No airport transfer. Temple of Heaven park is flat and has many benches, good for fewer stairs. Vegetarian lunch and dinner included. Afternoon in Qianmen and Dashilan is short and flexible, with a rest slot before walking.
Day 3: Summer Palace and slow lakeside time
◉ todayDaily time budget (estimate)
09:30–18:00 · Travel 120 min · Buffer 60 min
No airport transfer. Summer Palace has slopes and stairs; this plan stays on the flat east shore and uses the boat or shuttle where possible. Vegetarian lunch and dinner included. Long rest slot in the middle of the day. Afternoon is flexible and ends early.
Optional extras
Backup ideas if you want to swap a slot
1. Beihai Park east gate area: flat lakeside paths, many benches, about 10 CNY entry【估算】. Good low-walk alternative to Jingshan.
2. Capital Museum: indoor, seated areas, free entry with passport booking. Good rain plan. Check official site for current opening hours.
3. Lama Temple area: flat courtyard walk, about 25 CNY entry【估算】. Short visit, then sit at a nearby teahouse.
4. Hotel-area teahouse afternoon: pick any teahouse near your hotel, order tea and snacks, sit 1–2 hours. About 60–120 CNY per person【估算】. No walking, no stairs.
Tickets & booking
| Site | Price | Booking | Location | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forbidden City (Palace Museum)Map ↗ | CNY 60 peak season (Apr 1-Oct 31), CNY 40 off season (Nov 1-Mar 31)【估算】; Treasure Gallery CNY 10【估算】; Clock Gallery CNY 10【估算】 | Real-name booking with passport required. Tickets are capped daily and sell out. Book on the official site and check the release window yourself. No walk-up guarantee. | 4 Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng. Nearest metro: Tian'anmen East (Line 1), Exit A or B, then walk north. | Peak season: entry from 08:30, last entry 16:00, closes 17:00. Off season: entry from 08:30, last entry 15:30, closes 16:30. Closed Mondays except public holidays. Confirm on the official site before you go. |
| Temple of Heaven ParkMap ↗ | Park entry roughly CNY 10-15【估算】; through-ticket with halls roughly CNY 28-34【估算】 | Check the official park site or the Beijing park booking mini-program for passport booking. Some periods require advance reservation. | Tiantan East Road, Dongcheng. Nearest metro: Tiantandongmen (Line 5), Exit A or C. | Park roughly 06:00-21:00【估算】; halls roughly 08:00-17:00【估算】. Last entry to halls earlier. Confirm before you go. |
| Jingshan ParkMap ↗ | Roughly CNY 2-10【估算】 | Usually buy at the gate; check the official site for any reservation rule. | Jingshan Front Street, opposite the Forbidden City north gate. Nearest metro: Nanluoguxiang (Line 6/8) or a short taxi. | Roughly 06:00-21:00【估算】. The hilltop has steep steps; stay on the flat east paths if stairs are a problem. |
| Qianmen Street and DashilanMap ↗ | Free to walk【估算】 | No ticket for the street. Individual shops and museums may need their own booking. | Qianmen, Dongcheng. Nearest metro: Qianmen (Line 2/8), Exit A or C. | Open all day; shops roughly 10:00-21:00【估算】. Busiest in the evening. |
| Summer PalaceMap ↗ | Peak season roughly CNY 30 park entry, CNY 60 through-ticket【估算】; off season lower【估算】 | Check the official site for passport booking. Some periods require advance reservation. | 19 Xinjiangongmen Road, Haidian. Nearest metro: Beigongmen (Line 4), Exit D. | Park roughly 06:30-18:00【估算】; halls roughly 08:30-17:00【估算】. Last entry earlier. Confirm before you go. |
Sources and fields retrieved in this run are listed in the overview network query section. Missing fields, including live prices, exact booking windows and current opening hours, still need to be confirmed on each official site. Prices above are estimates, not verified live rates.
Tips & pitfalls
Book Forbidden City tickets online days ahead with your passport. Slots sell out. If the site asks for a Chinese phone number, use your hotel's front desk number or ask the hotel to help book.
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your foreign card before you fly. Link your Visa or Mastercard in the app. Test a small payment at the airport or hotel shop. Some small vendors only take QR payment.
Carry your passport every day. You need it for Forbidden City entry, Temple of Heaven tickets, Summer Palace tickets, and hotel check-in. Keep a photo on your phone as backup.
Download offline maps before you go. Google Maps does not work well in Beijing. Use Amap or Baidu Maps, or download an offline map of Beijing. Save your hotel name and address in Chinese on your phone to show taxi drivers.
Metro is your main transport. Buy a Yikatong card at any station, or tap Alipay/WeChat transit QR. Fare is about 3–7 CNY per ride【估算】. Avoid rush hour 7:30–9:00 and 17:30–19:00 if you can.
For vegetarian meals, show this Chinese phrase: 我吃素，不要肉、不要鱼露、不要猪油。Check ingredients for allergens and cross-contact — no kitchen can guarantee zero cross-contact.
Fewer stairs and long walks: sit every 30–40 minutes. Use benches in parks and corridors. Skip tower climbs and hill paths. Tell your travel partner when you need a break.
Entry rules, visa, and visa-free conditions: check official immigration or consular sources for your nationality before booking. Rules change. Do not rely on second-hand info.
Where to stay
| Area | Reference price | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dongsi / Dongzhimen (Dongcheng) | CNY 500-900 per night for a mid-range double【估算】 | Central, on Line 5 and Line 2, easy to reach the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and the airport lines. Lots of vegetarian-friendly restaurants nearby. Good for a three-day base. |
| Wangfujing / Jinyu Hutong (Dongcheng) | CNY 700-1300 per night for a mid-range double【估算】 | Walkable to the Forbidden City and Tian'anmen. One hotel candidate with a mapped address is here: Novotel Beijing Peace, 3 Jinyu Hutong. This is a location record only, not proof it is open, has rooms, or accepts your booking. Treat it as a candidate to check. |
| Qianmen / Dashilan (Dongcheng) | CNY 450-850 per night for a mid-range double【估算】 | Old-lane feel, on Line 2 and Line 8, close to Temple of Heaven and the southern axis. Some lanes are car-free and cobbled; check the walk from the metro to the door if stairs are a problem. |
Booking logic and checks
Pick one hotel for all three nights. Stay inside the Line 1, Line 2 or Line 5 corridor so every day trip is a single metro ride or one change. Keep the hotel within a 10-minute walk of a metro entrance with a lift if stairs are a problem.
Three questions to ask before you book: (1) Does the room rate include breakfast, and is there a vegetarian option? (2) Is there a lift to the room floor, and is the shower a walk-in or a tub with a high step? (3) Can they register foreign guests and accept your passport at check-in? Some small guesthouses cannot.
Light-sleeper note: rooms facing a main road or a hutong bar street can be noisy late. Ask for a room on a high floor away from the street, or bring earplugs. Hotel prices move with season and holidays; the ranges above are estimates only, not live quotes.
Budget
| Item | Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel, 3 nights, one double room | CNY 1,350-2,700【估算】 | Mid-range, central Dongcheng. Price swings with season and holidays. |
| Metro and short taxi rides | CNY 120-200 for two people【估算】 | Metro rides CNY 3-7 each【估算】. A few short taxis add up. |
| Attraction tickets | CNY 200-320 for two people【估算】 | Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Jingshan, Summer Palace. Peak-season rates. |
| Vegetarian meals, 3 days | CNY 600-1,200 for two people【估算】 | Two meals a day. Mid-range vegetarian restaurants. Street food and casual spots cost less. |
| Drinks, snacks, water | CNY 100-200【估算】 | Bottled water is cheap; cafe drinks cost more. |
| Hidden cost: airport express or taxi | CNY 50-460【估算】 | Not in this plan, but budget it if you change your mind. Airport Express is cheaper; taxi is faster. |
| Hidden cost: mobile data or eSIM | CNY 50-150【估算】 | Buy before you fly. Some foreign apps need a VPN; check the rules yourself. |
| Hidden cost: card and ATM fees | CNY 30-100【估算】 | Foreign card fees vary by bank. Carry some cash for small shops. |
Currency: prices here are in CNY. For CAD reference, 1 CNY is roughly CAD 0.19-0.20【估算】. This is an estimate, not a live rate. Check the real rate on your bank app or XE.com before you travel. Some places accept foreign cards through Alipay or WeChat Pay; test a small payment before you rely on it.
If things go wrong
Heavy rain
Swap outdoor slots for indoor ones: Capital Museum, a teahouse, or your hotel lobby. Metro still runs. Keep your passport dry. If flooding is reported, stay near the hotel and skip the day's outdoor plan.
Bookings full
If Forbidden City or Summer Palace tickets are sold out, go to Jingshan Park, Beihai Park, or Temple of Heaven outer park instead. Booking rules vary by site. Check the backup site's official reservation page before travelling there; do not assume that entry is available without booking.
Missed metro or train
Metro runs about every 2–5 min【估算】. If you miss one, wait for the next. For intercity trains, go to the station counter with your passport and ask about the next available train. Do not buy from touts.
Stomach trouble or lost passport
For stomach trouble, rest and take small sips of safe water. Eat when you feel able; do not assume that you must stop eating. Seek medical care if you cannot keep fluids down or have severe symptoms. See NHS guidance (checked 2026-10-14); use local medical services while travelling. For a lost passport, report to the nearest police station and contact your embassy or consulate. Keep a photo of your passport and visa page on your phone.
Food list
| Day | Meal | Area | Restaurant | Order | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Breakfast | Hotel area | Any — hotel buffet or nearby cafe | Bread, eggs, fruit, coffee or tea | 30–60 CNY【估算】 |
| Day 1 | Lunch | Dongsi | Local vegetarian restaurant in Dongsi area | Braised tofu, mushroom dishes, stir-fried greens, rice | 60–100 CNY【估算】 |
| Day 1 | Afternoon tea | Near Jingshan east gate | Any teahouse | Jasmine tea, dried fruit | 40–80 CNY【估算】 |
| Day 1 | Dinner | Hotel area | Vegetarian restaurant near hotel | Vegetable dumplings, tofu soup, steamed greens | 50–90 CNY【估算】 |
| Day 2 | Breakfast | Hotel area | Any — hotel buffet or nearby cafe | Congee, steamed buns, fruit, tea | 30–60 CNY【估算】 |
| Day 2 | Lunch | Tiantan East Road | Vegetarian restaurant near Tiantan East Road | Cold sesame noodles, lotus root, tofu skin rolls, rice | 50–90 CNY【估算】 |
| Day 2 | Afternoon tea | Qianmen | Teahouse on Qianmen Street | Pu'er tea, nuts | 40–80 CNY【估算】 |
| Day 2 | Dinner | Hotel area | Vegetarian restaurant near hotel | Mushroom hotpot, vegetable fried rice, steamed buns | 50–90 CNY【估算】 |
| Day 3 | Breakfast | Hotel area | Any — hotel buffet or nearby cafe | Eggs, toast, fruit, coffee | 30–60 CNY【估算】 |
| Day 3 | Lunch | Summer Palace East Gate | Vegetarian restaurant near East Gate | Vegetable noodles, braised tofu, stir-fried greens, rice | 50–90 CNY【估算】 |
| Day 3 | Afternoon tea | Summer Palace lakeside | Lakeside cafe or pavilion | Green tea, biscuits | 40–80 CNY【估算】 |
| Day 3 | Dinner | Hotel area | Vegetarian restaurant near hotel | Tofu clay pot, vegetable dumplings, steamed pumpkin | 50–90 CNY【估算】 |
Prices are estimates only. No live quotes. For allergies, tell staff clearly and check ingredients — cross-contact is possible in any kitchen.
Souvenirs
| Type | Recommendation | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tea | Jasmine tea or Pu'er tea | 50–200 CNY per box【估算】 | Tea shops in Dashilan or Qianmen side streets |
| Sweets | Beijing-style candied fruit or osmanthus cake | 20–60 CNY per bag【估算】 | Local supermarket or Dashilan food shops |
| Crafts | Cloisonne small items or paper cuts | 30–150 CNY【估算】 | Dashilan lanes or museum shops |
| Textiles | Silk scarf or embroidered pouch | 80–300 CNY【估算】 | Qianmen Street shops |
| Snacks | Packaged nuts, dried fruit, tea snacks | 20–80 CNY【估算】 | Local supermarket near hotel |
Do not buy at the gate of tourist sites. Prices there run 2–3 times higher【估算】. Walk one or two streets away or go to a local supermarket. Same item, lower price.