OVERVIEW

Beijing 3-Day Route
Quick draft · 0/93 facts checked
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 one cluster per day so you are not crossing the city twice. Day 1 lands at PEK at 14:00, so you only get Dongcheng: hotel, then a slow walk around Shichahai and Houhai. Day 2 is Temple of Heaven plus Qianmen, both on subway Line 8 / Line 2. Day 3 is Summer Palace, then back to PEK for a 19:00 flight.

Beijing is big and spread out. Traffic eats time. Two major sights a day is the right pace here. Book everything with your passport number — train tickets, attraction slots, hotel check-in all ask for it. Vegetarian food is easy in Dongcheng and around Qianmen; say "no shellfish" (bù yào hǎixiān) every time you order.

Three things to lock down before you fly:
1. Visa: check your eligibility yourself. China has a 30-day unilateral visa-free entry for some passports and a 240-hour transit visa-free policy for others. Rules change. Confirm on the official China embassy site for Canada before booking anything.
2. Alipay or WeChat Pay: link your Canadian card in the app before you leave. Both accept foreign Visa/Mastercard now. Set it up at home, not at the airport.
3. Passport for every booking: attraction slots (Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace), hotel, and any train ticket all need your passport number and name exactly as printed. Mismatch = denied entry.
If your dates land on Chinese New Year, Golden Week (Oct 1–7), or a major holiday, expect sold-out slots and doubled hotel prices. Check the calendar before you commit.
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D2
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D3
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Countdown checklist

  • Link your Canadian card in Alipay and WeChat Pay. Test a small payment before you fly.
  • Screenshot your hotel name and address in Chinese. You will show this to taxi drivers.
  • Download offline maps (Google Maps won't work well in China; use Amap or Apple Maps offline).
  • Book Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace slots online with your passport number. Slots open about 7 days ahead【estimate】.

Packing for Beijing

  • Passport + a photocopy. You need it for every booking and hotel check-in.
  • Power bank. You will run your phone down on maps and payment apps.
  • Universal adapter (China uses Type A/I, 220V).
  • Comfortable shoes. Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace are both big walking days.
  • A small card or note in Chinese: "我是素食者，不吃海鲜" (I am vegetarian, no shellfish). Show it at restaurants.

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 & Dongcheng Old D2Temple of Heaven & QianmD3Summer Palace & DeparturN
    One block per day. Draft schematic, for route checking only.
    GETTING AROUND

    Routes & transport

    Getting in from PEK

    PEK to Dongcheng: Airport Express train to Dongzhimen, then subway. About 1 hour total【estimate】. Cost around ¥25【estimate】 (USD 3.50【estimate】). Taxi or DiDi: 45–70 minutes depending on traffic【estimate】, ¥100–130【estimate】 (USD 14–18【estimate】). With luggage, take the taxi. Pay with Alipay or cash; most drivers don't take foreign cards.

    Getting around the city

    Subway is your best bet. Lines 2 and 8 cover Dongcheng, Qianmen, and Temple of Heaven. Single ride ¥3–7【estimate】 (USD 0.40–1.00【estimate】). Buy a Yikatong card at any station or just scan Alipay's transport QR code. DiDi (in Alipay) works for taxis and takes foreign cards. Avoid rush hour 7:30–9:30 and 17:30–19:00 — traffic is brutal.

    LegModeTimeNotes
    PEK → Dongcheng hotelTaxi / DiDi45–70 min【estimate】¥100–130【estimate】 (USD 14–18【estimate】). Easiest with bags.
    Hotel → Shichahai (D1)Walk or subway15–25 min【estimate】Line 8 to Shichahai station if not walking.
    Hotel → Temple of Heaven (D2)Subway Line 525–35 min【estimate】Get off at Tiantan Dongmen. Exit A.
    Temple of Heaven → QianmenSubway Line 815 min【estimate】Direct, no transfer.
    Hotel → Summer Palace (D3)Subway Line 445–55 min【estimate】Get off at Beigongmen. Exit D.
    Summer Palace → PEKTaxi / DiDi50–80 min【estimate】¥120–160【estimate】 (USD 17–22【estimate】). Leave by 15:30 for a 19:00 flight.
    DAY 1

    Arrival & Dongcheng Old Streets

    ◉ today
    HotelDongcheng hotel check-inShichahai / Houhai walkDinner in Dongcheng
    Today's route · Red = walk/taxi · Blue = metro/bus · Gold = night · schematic, not to scale

    Daily time budget (estimate)

    14:00–21:00 · Travel 90 min · Buffer 30 min

    Start after immigration and baggage claim at PEK. Take the Airport Express or a taxi to a Dongcheng hotel. Check in, rest, then walk Shichahai/Houhai and eat a vegetarian dinner nearby. Keep it light after the flight. No shellfish: ask for 'no shrimp, no crab, no oyster' and show a Chinese note. Pay with Alipay or WeChat linked to a foreign card; keep some cash as backup. Passport needed for hotel check-in.

    🧭
    Today: land at PEK 14:00, get to hotel in Dongcheng, walk Shichahai/Houhai, dinner nearby. Keep it light — jet lag is real.
    14:00–16:00
    Land at PEK, clear immigration and baggage. Take the Airport Express to Dongzhimen (about 25 min, ¥25【estimate】), then a taxi or metro to your Dongcheng hotel. Taxi from PEK to Dongcheng runs ¥100–130【estimate】, 40–60 min depending on traffic. Have your hotel name and address written in Chinese on your phone — most drivers don't read English.
    16:30–17:30
    Check in. Drop bags. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your Canadian card now if you haven't — link Visa/Mastercard in the app, add your passport for identity verification. Both work at most shops and metro gates. Keep ¥200–300【estimate】cash as backup.
    17:30–19:00
    Walk Shichahai and Houhai lakes. Flat loop, about 40 min at an easy pace. Good first look at hutong lanes. No ticket needed. If you're tired, cut it to 20 min and sit by the water.
    19:00–20:30
    Dinner: King's Joy (京兆尹) near Yonghegong, Wudaoying Hutong. Fully vegetarian, Michelin-starred. Say "no shellfish" (不要贝类) when ordering. Set menu around ¥600–900【estimate】 per person. Cheaper backup: Baihe Vegetarian (百合素食) in Dongcheng, ¥80–120【estimate】 per person. Then sleep early.
    🛟
    Plan B: if you land late or feel wrecked, skip Houhai. Eat at the hotel or a nearby noodle shop, sleep. You have two more days.
    💡
    Visa note: Canada is not on China's 30-day unilateral visa-free list. You may qualify for the 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free rule if you're flying to a third country after Beijing — check your exact route and passport rules before you fly. Don't assume you're covered.
    DAY 2

    Temple of Heaven & Qianmen

    ◉ today
    HotelTemple of HeavenVegetarian lunch near QianmenQianmen Street walkHotel
    Today's route · Red = walk/taxi · Blue = metro/bus · Gold = night · schematic, not to scale

    Daily time budget (estimate)

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

    Two major sights max. Morning: Temple of Heaven. Afternoon: Qianmen Street. Both are in Dongcheng, so no cross-city rush. Lunch and dinner are vegetarian; avoid shellfish by confirming ingredients. Use metro with Alipay/WeChat QR or buy a Yikatong card. Carry your passport for any ticket pickup. Keep the evening free for rest.

    🧭
    Today: Temple of Heaven in the morning, vegetarian lunch, Qianmen walk in the afternoon. Two attractions max. Back to hotel by evening.
    08:30–11:30
    Go to the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan). Metro Line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen. Ticket ¥34【estimate】 for the through ticket. Walk the park, see the Hall of Prayer. Locals do tai chi and play cards in the outer park — that part is free. Bring your passport; it's needed for the ticket.
    12:00–13:30
    Eat lunch near Qianmen. Gongdelin (功德林), a long-running vegetarian restaurant, ¥60–100【estimate】 per person. Order the mock-meat dishes and a vegetable. Tell them no shellfish. If you want something faster, grab vegetarian dumplings at a chain shop, ¥30–50【estimate】.
    13:30–16:00
    Walk Qianmen Street and Dashilan. Old shopping street, restored. Free to walk. Good for tea, snacks, people-watching. Don't buy souvenirs here — prices are tourist-level. Sit in a teahouse for 30 min if your feet are done.
    16:30–18:00
    Head back to the hotel. Rest. This is your buffer — no need to cram.
    18:30–20:00
    Dinner in Dongcheng. Try Baihe Vegetarian or a hotpot place with a clear vegetable broth — ask for 清汤锅底 (clear broth) and confirm no shellfish in the base. ¥80–150【estimate】 per person.
    🛟
    Plan B: if it rains, swap Qianmen for the Capital Museum or a mall near Dongzhimen. Temple of Heaven is mostly outdoor — go early if the forecast looks bad.
    💡
    Book Temple of Heaven tickets on the official WeChat mini-program a day ahead. Slots sell out on weekends. Passport number required at booking.
    DAY 3

    Summer Palace & Departure

    ◉ today
    HotelSummer PalaceVegetarian lunch near Summer PalacePEK airport
    Today's route · Red = walk/taxi · Blue = metro/bus · Gold = night · schematic, not to scale

    Daily time budget (estimate)

    08:30–19:00 · Travel 120 min · Buffer 60 min

    Check out and store bags if needed. Go to Summer Palace in Haidian. One major sight only. Vegetarian lunch nearby. Leave by 15:30 for PEK. Arrive at least 3 hours before the 19:00 flight. Use the Airport Express or taxi. Passport needed for check-in and security. Keep payment apps charged and have offline maps ready.

    🧭
    Today: Summer Palace in the morning, vegetarian lunch, then PEK for your 19:00 flight. Leave central Beijing by 15:30 at the latest.
    08:00–11:30
    Go to the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan). Metro Line 4 to Beigongmen. Ticket ¥30【estimate】, through ticket ¥60【estimate】. Walk the Long Corridor and around Kunming Lake. It's big — pick one side, don't try to see it all. Passport needed for the ticket.
    11:45–13:00
    Eat lunch near the Summer Palace. Options are limited and touristy — a simple vegetarian noodle or rice bowl runs ¥40–70【estimate】. Or take the metro two stops and eat near Zhongguancun, where there are more choices. Confirm no shellfish.
    13:00–15:00
    Head back to the hotel, grab your bags, and start toward PEK. From central Beijing, allow 60–90 min by taxi (¥100–130【estimate】) or take the Airport Express from Dongzhimen (¥25【estimate】, about 25 min to T3).
    15:30–19:00
    At PEK by 16:00 for a 19:00 international flight. Check in, clear security and immigration. Eat at the airport if you're hungry — vegetarian options exist but are pricey, ¥60–100【estimate】. Fill your water bottle after security.
    🛟
    Plan B: if you're running late, skip the Summer Palace entirely and go straight to the airport. Missing the flight costs far more than one missed garden.
    💡
    Download offline maps (Google Maps won't load well in China; use Amap or Apple Maps with offline data) and screenshot your hotel name and address in Chinese before you leave the hotel.
    OPTIONAL

    Optional extras

    If you have extra time or energy

    798 Art District. Former factory turned gallery area in Chaoyang. Free to walk, 2–3 hours. Metro Line 14 to Wangjing South, then a short taxi. Good rainy-day option.

    Jingshan Park. Small hill north of the Forbidden City. Ticket ¥2【estimate】. 30–45 min up and down. Best view over the palace roofs. Go early or late to avoid crowds.

    Lama Temple (Yonghegong). Active Tibetan Buddhist temple in Dongcheng. Ticket ¥25【estimate】. 1 hour. Right next to King's Joy if you want to combine.

    Hutong food walk. Wander the lanes around Nanluoguxiang and Gulou. Skip the main drag, go one street over. Cheap snacks, ¥10–30【estimate】 each. Check ingredients — some snacks contain shrimp paste.

    TICKETS

    Tickets & booking

    AttractionPriceBookingLocationHours
    Temple of Heaven¥34 peak / ¥28 off-peak【estimate】 (USD 4.70 / 3.90【estimate】)Book online with passport number. Slots open ~7 days ahead【estimate】. Bring passport to gate.Subway Line 5, Tiantan Dongmen station, Exit A06:00–22:00 park; halls 08:00–17:30【estimate】. Last entry 17:00【estimate】. No closed day.
    Summer Palace¥30 off-peak / ¥60 peak【estimate】 (USD 4.20 / 8.30【estimate】)Book online with passport number. Slots open ~7 days ahead【estimate】.Subway Line 4, Beigongmen station, Exit D06:30–18:00【estimate】. Last entry 17:00【estimate】. No closed day.
    Shichahai / HouhaiFreeNo booking. Open street area.Subway Line 8, Shichahai station, Exit A224 hours. Best light 16:00–18:00【estimate】.
    Qianmen StreetFreeNo booking. Open pedestrian street.Subway Line 2 or 8, Qianmen station, Exit B24 hours. Shops roughly 10:00–21:00【estimate】.

    This booklet was not checked online. All prices are【estimate】. Confirm current prices and hours on the official site or at the gate.

    GOOD TO KNOW

    Tips & pitfalls

    Paying with a foreign card. Link your Visa or Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay before you fly. Both accept foreign cards for most payments. Small stalls may only take QR codes. Carry ¥200–300【estimate】 cash for backup.

    Passport for every booking. Attractions, trains, and hotels all require your passport number at booking and your physical passport at the gate. Book Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace on the official WeChat mini-programs a day ahead.

    Vegetarian ordering. Say 我吃素 (I eat vegetarian) and 不要贝类 (no shellfish). Many dishes hide oyster sauce or shrimp paste. At hotpot, ask for 清汤锅底 (clear broth) and confirm the base has no shellfish.

    Offline survival. Google Maps, Gmail, and many Western apps don't work well in China. Download Amap or Apple Maps with offline data. Screenshot your hotel name and address in Chinese. Save your embassy's phone number.

    Metro basics. Rides cost ¥3–10【estimate】. Use Alipay or WeChat Pay at the gate, or buy a single-journey ticket at the machine with cash. Trains run roughly 05:30–23:00【estimate】. Avoid rush hour 07:30–09:30 and 17:30–19:00.

    Taxi and ride-hailing. Use Didi inside Alipay — it has an English interface. Show the driver your destination in Chinese. Metered taxis are fine too; insist on the meter (打表).

    Visa check. Canada is not on the 30-day unilateral visa-free list. The 240-hour transit visa-free rule may apply if you're transiting to a third country. Verify your exact route and eligibility before booking. Don't assume.

    Water and stomach. Don't drink tap water. Bottled water is cheap, ¥2–5【estimate】. If your stomach acts up, stick to cooked food and plain rice or noodles for a day.

    WHERE TO SLEEP

    Where to stay

    AreaReference priceWhy
    Dongcheng (around Shichahai / Yonghegong)¥350–600/night【estimate】 (USD 48–83【estimate】)Walk to Shichahai on Day 1. Subway Line 8 and 5 nearby. Good vegetarian options. Best fit for this trip.
    Qianmen / Dashilan¥400–700/night【estimate】 (USD 55–97【estimate】)Close to Temple of Heaven and Qianmen. More touristy, noisier. Good if you want to walk everywhere on Day 2.
    Near PEK airport¥300–500/night【estimate】 (USD 41–69【estimate】)Only if you have an early flight. Far from everything else. Not recommended for this itinerary.

    Booking logic and three questions

    Stay in Dongcheng. It puts Day 1 and Day 2 within 30 minutes by subway, and Day 3 is a straight shot on Line 4. Ask the hotel three things before you book: (1) Do you accept foreign passports for check-in? (2) Can I pay with a foreign card, or do you take Alipay/WeChat? (3) What is the exact Chinese address and nearest subway exit? Write that address down. Light sleepers: ask for a room away from the street. Beijing traffic starts early.

    KNOW THE NUMBERS

    Budget

    USD 400
    Budget target (no flights)
    USD 250–350
    Realistic 3-day spend【estimate】
    USD 50–100
    Buffer left【estimate】
    ItemCost (local)USD【estimate】
    Hotel, 2 nights, Dongcheng mid-range¥700–1,200【estimate】USD 97–166【estimate】
    Airport taxi in + out¥220–290【estimate】USD 30–40【estimate】
    Subway and DiDi, 3 days¥80–120【estimate】USD 11–17【estimate】
    Attraction tickets (Temple of Heaven + Summer Palace)¥64–94【estimate】USD 9–13【estimate】
    Vegetarian meals, 3 days (3 meals/day)¥300–450【estimate】USD 41–62【estimate】
    Water, tea, snacks¥60–100【estimate】USD 8–14【estimate】
    Hidden cost: foreign card fee (1–3% per transaction)—USD 5–15【estimate】
    Hidden cost: eSIM or roaming data—USD 10–20【estimate】
    Hidden cost: ATM withdrawal fee if you need cash—USD 3–8【estimate】

    Exchange rate used: 1 USD ≈ ¥7.2【estimate】. This is not live. Check the real rate on your bank's app or XE.com before you go. Prices in Beijing are quoted in RMB (¥).

    IF THINGS GO WRONG

    If things go wrong

    Heavy rain

    Swap outdoor sights for the Capital Museum, 798 Art District, or a mall near Dongzhimen. Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace are mostly outdoor — reschedule if you can. Carry a small umbrella; taxis get scarce in downpours.

    Tickets sold out

    Attractions cap daily visitors. If Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace is full, try the next time slot or the next day. Jingshan Park and the hutong lanes need no booking. Always have a no-ticket backup.

    Missed train or flight

    For PEK, allow 60–90 min from central Beijing. If you're late, take a taxi and tell the driver 去首都机场 (to Capital Airport). For trains, go to the station's ticket office with your passport — same-day rebooking is sometimes possible.

    Stomach trouble or lost passport

    For stomach issues, drink bottled water, eat plain rice or noodles, and rest. Pharmacies (药店) are common; show your symptoms in Chinese via a translation app. If you lose your passport, contact the Canadian embassy in Beijing and file a police report (报警) first.

    JUST EAT HERE

    Food list

    DayMealAreaPlaceOrderPer person
    Day 1BreakfastAnywhereHotel or nearby shopBaozi, soy milk, fruit¥20–40【estimate】
    Day 1LunchIn transitAirport or DongzhimenNoodles, rice bowl¥40–70【estimate】
    Day 1DinnerDongchengKing's Joy (京兆尹) or Baihe VegetarianVegetarian set, no shellfish¥80–900【estimate】
    Day 2BreakfastDongchengHotel or street shopCongee, steamed buns¥20–40【estimate】
    Day 2LunchQianmenGongdelin (功德林)Mock-meat dishes, vegetables¥60–100【estimate】
    Day 2Afternoon teaQianmenTeahouse on Qianmen StJasmine tea, light snacks¥40–80【estimate】
    Day 2DinnerDongchengBaihe Vegetarian or hotpotClear broth, vegetables, tofu¥80–150【estimate】
    Day 3BreakfastDongchengHotel or nearby shopBaozi, soy milk¥20–40【estimate】
    Day 3LunchSummer Palace areaNoodle shop near BeigongmenVegetable noodles¥40–70【estimate】
    Day 3DinnerPEK airportAirport food courtVegetarian rice or noodles¥60–100【estimate】
    BRING HOME

    Souvenirs

    TypePickPriceWhere to buy
    TeaJasmine or oolong, sealed tin¥80–300【estimate】Tea shops in Dashilan or a supermarket
    SnacksPackaged pastries, dried fruit¥30–80【estimate】Supermarket (Wumart, Yonghui)
    CraftsCloisonne or paper cuts¥50–200【estimate】Gift shops off the main tourist streets
    SilkScarf or small piece¥100–400【estimate】Department store, not street stalls

    Don't buy at the gate of the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, or Qianmen main street — prices there run two to three times higher. Walk one block off the tourist strip or buy at a supermarket. Check tea tins are sealed and have a date.