Beijing 2 Days
Planning guidance · confirm before travel
Confirm before travel: prices, hours, booking rules and transport schedules. Linked evidence supports individual details, not the entire book.
2-day route: Day 1: Tiananmen Square (security check, walk the square) → Forbidden City (Meridian Gate to Shenwumen, central axis) → Jingshan Park (climb Wanchun Pavilion for the palace roofline view)；Day 2: Temple of Heaven (East Gate in: Long Corridor, Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Circular Mound Altar, South Gate out) → Walk the park perimeter and the ancient cypress grove.
Beijing is big and spread out. Pick a hotel in Dongcheng so both days start close to the sights. Book the Forbidden City before you fly — it sells out. Everything else can be decided the night before.
- Book Forbidden City tickets — official site, passport number required, opens 7 days ahead at 20:00 Beijing time
- Check entry eligibility on your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate website — do not assume visa-free
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your foreign card before you fly — many places are cashless
- Download an offline map (Google Maps may not work; try Amap or Baidu Maps) and save your hotel name and address in Chinese characters
What to pack
- Passport — you need it for hotel check-in and attraction entry
- Comfortable walking shoes — Day 1 is roughly 5–6 km on foot
- Layer for 11–26°C swings — mornings are cool, afternoons warm
- Power bank and a universal adapter (China uses 220V, type A/C/I plugs)
- Small daypack — no large bags into Tiananmen Square security
- Refillable water bottle — water fountains are limited, buy bottled water
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 · 8/12Expand as needed
· External searches are not confirmed bookings; check the branch, dates, price and availability.
Field coverage: Address 3/12 / Hours 0/12 / Phone 2/12 / Booking 1/12 / Price 0/12
© 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
Phone: 400-950-1925 服务时间：08:00–20:00 Source
Booking: 参观须提前订票，最早可于参观7日前20:00开始预订。年票观众须至少提前一日登记参观。 Source
Sources disagree; please verify: Hours
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 pageUnconfirmed: Hours / Price / Last admission / Closure notice / Rating / Rating count
天安门广场 · attraction
Details & sources
Coordinates (open data): 39.904567, 116.391392
WikidataUnconfirmed: 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)Unconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / 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
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
南锣鼓巷 · attraction
Details & sources
Coordinates (open data): 39.935177, 116.396939
WikidataUnconfirmed: Address / Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Last admission / Closure notice / Rating / Rating count
四季民福烤鸭店(灯市口店) · 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
姚记炒肝(天坛店) · 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
Phone: 订房电话：+8620-86009099 （电话忙线或无人接听时，请在线预订！） 咨询电话：+86-10-65263388（餐饮、娱乐、路线咨询、失物、发票等） Source
Downloaded website (identity checked during extraction) Downloaded linked pageUnconfirmed: Hours / Booking / Price / Last admission / Closure notice / 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 · cache
OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbLUnconfirmed: Hours / Phone / Booking / Price / Last admission / Closure notice / Rating / Rating count
北京天坛智选假日酒店 · 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 / Last admission / Closure notice / Rating / Rating count
Routes & transport
Getting into the city
No airport transfers in this plan. If you fly into Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX), take the Airport Express train or a taxi to your hotel — but arrival times were not given, so build that leg yourself. From PEK, the Airport Express runs to Dongzhimen; from PKX, the Daxing Airport Express runs to Caoqiao. Fares are roughly 25–35 CNY【估算】. Taxis are metered, expect 100–200 CNY【估算】 depending on distance and traffic.
Getting around
Metro is the fastest way across town. Buy a Yikatong card at any station or tap your phone if you have a transit app set up. Single rides run 3–7 CNY【估算】. Taxis and ride-hailing (DiDi) are cheap for short hops, 15–40 CNY【估算】. Avoid rush hour 07:30–09:30 and 17:30–19:00 if you can. For Tiananmen Square, security checks mean you should arrive early and carry your passport.
| Day | Planned time | Transfer | Allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 08:30–09:00【estimate】 | Walk or taxi from hotel to Tiananmen Square south security entry | 30 min · planned allowance |
| Day 1 | 09:45–10:15【estimate】 | Walk north to Meridian Gate, Forbidden City entry | 30 min · planned allowance |
| Day 1 | 17:30–18:00【estimate】 | Taxi or metro back to hotel | 30 min · planned allowance |
| Day 2 | 08:30–09:15【estimate】 | Metro from hotel to Temple of Heaven East Gate (Line 5) | 45 min · planned allowance |
| Day 2 | 16:30–17:30【estimate】 | Metro or taxi back to hotel | 60 min · planned allowance |
Route & travel checks
Checked snapshot: 2026-10-14T12:01
- Day 1 · 天安门广场 → 故宫博物院：2.0 km · 27 min walking estimate
- Day 1 · 故宫博物院 → 景山公园：1.2 km · 17 min walking estimate
- Beijing · 2026-10-15 / 2026-10-16 · Asia/Shanghai · 11.3–26.0 °C。Check the latest forecast before outdoor visits. MET Norway · 2026-10-14T12:01 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
Imperial Axis: Tiananmen, Forbidden City, Jingshan
◉ todayOvernight stay: Beijing
Daily time budget (estimate)
08:30–18:00 · Travel 90 min · Buffer 30 min
Moderate pace, one district only (Dongcheng, the imperial axis). Both must-do sites are split across the two days so neither day is rushed. No airport, no flights, no luggage pickup — arrival and departure times were not given, so both days are city days.
Walk or taxi from hotel to Tiananmen Square south security entry
Leave the hotel by 08:30. If you stay near Wangfujing or Dongdan, a taxi is 15–25 min【estimate】, roughly 20–35 CNY【estimate】. Metro works too: get off at the station nearest the square and follow signs to the south security line. Bring your passport — it is checked at the square. Do not carry a large backpack; it slows the queue.
Tiananmen Square (security check, walk the square)
Queue for the security check first, then walk the square north to south or south to north. Keep the passport in your hand, not in the bag. 45 min is enough for photos and orientation. If the queue is long, cut the walk short and head to the Meridian Gate — the Forbidden City is the bigger block today.
Walk north to Meridian Gate, Forbidden City entry
Walk north through the square and under the gate to the Meridian Gate. This is about 2 km, 25–30 min on foot【estimate】. Have your booking confirmation and passport ready at the entry gate. Entry is by timed booking, so arrive inside your booked window.
Forbidden City (Meridian Gate to Shenwumen, central axis)
Book ahead: the museum's own site says tickets must be reserved in advance, and booking opens at 20:00 up to 7 days before your visit day. Book with your passport number, one ticket per person, name matching the passport exactly. The museum is closed on Mondays except public holidays. Enter at the Meridian Gate, walk the central axis — Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony, Hall of Preserving Harmony, then the inner court — and exit at Shenwumen. 2.5 hours is a moderate pace with stops. If a hall shows a closure notice on the day, skip it and keep moving; do not backtrack.
Lunch near Shenwumen exit
Exit at Shenwumen and walk east or south for noodles, dumplings or a simple rice set. Expect 40–80 CNY per person【estimate】. Sit down, eat slow, drink water — you have been on your feet since 08:30. If every table is full, walk 5 more minutes; the side streets are cheaper and quieter than the first row of shops.
Jingshan Park (climb Wanchun Pavilion for the palace roofline view)
Enter Jingshan Park and climb to Wanchun Pavilion. The climb is short but steep — 15–20 min up【estimate】. From the top you look south over the Forbidden City roofs. Go up, take the view, come down the other side. Ticket is a small fee, budget 2–10 CNY【estimate】; check the gate for the current price. If your knees are done, stay on the lower paths and skip the pavilion.
Early dinner in Dongcheng
Eat early, around 16:30–17:00, to beat the queue. At Siji Minfu order half a roast duck, a vegetable, and a soup; 120–180 CNY per person【estimate】. At Haidilao order a half-and-half pot and two plates of vegetables plus one meat; 120–200 CNY per person【estimate】. Tell staff about any allergy and ask them to check ingredients and cross-contact in the kitchen — no restaurant can be guaranteed allergy-safe.
Taxi or metro back to hotel
Taxi back is 15–25 min【estimate】, 20–35 CNY【estimate】. Metro is cheaper, 3–6 CNY【estimate】, but adds walking. Back at the hotel: charge everything, refill your water bottle, lay out tomorrow's clothes. Sleep early — tomorrow starts at 08:30 again.
Temple of Heaven and the Southern Axis
◉ todayDaily time budget (estimate)
08:30–17:30 · Travel 105 min · Buffer 30 min
Moderate pace, one district only (Dongcheng south, Temple of Heaven). Temple of Heaven is the must-do for the day. No airport, no flights, no luggage pickup.
Metro from hotel to Temple of Heaven East Gate (Line 5)
Leave at 08:30. Take the metro toward the Temple of Heaven East Gate; the ride is 20–35 min【estimate】, fare 3–6 CNY【estimate】. Check the transfer at your own station on the day — line-to-line connections depend on where you start, so read the in-station map instead of guessing. Have your passport ready if you buy a ticket at the gate.
Temple of Heaven (East Gate in: Long Corridor, Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Circular Mound Altar, South Gate out)
Enter at the East Gate. Walk the Long Corridor first where locals sing and play cards, then the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, then south to the Circular Mound Altar, and exit at the South Gate. 2.5 hours at a moderate pace. Park ticket plus the through-ticket for the halls are separate — budget 15–35 CNY total【estimate】 and check the gate for the current price. Book ahead if the park's own channel offers it; if not, buy at the gate with your passport.
Lunch near Temple of Heaven South Gate
Walk out the South Gate and eat nearby. Yaoji Chaogan (Temple of Heaven branch) is the local pick for Beijing snacks — order chaogan (liver stew) and baozi, 30–60 CNY per person【estimate】. If you are not into liver, order noodles or dumplings instead. Ask about ingredients if you have allergies; cross-contact in a busy kitchen is possible.
Walk the park perimeter and the ancient cypress grove
Re-enter the park or walk the outside perimeter and the old cypress grove. Slow pace, flat ground, shade. This is the part most people skip and it is the calmest hour of the day. Keep the South Gate as your exit point so the next step is short.
Free time: Qianmen Street or a hutong walk nearby (optional, no booking needed)
Pick one: Qianmen Street for a straight pedestrian walk with shops, or a hutong walk north of the park for small streets and local life. Both are walk-in, no ticket. 60 min is enough. If you are tired, skip it and go back to the hotel — this block is optional.
Metro or taxi back to hotel
Metro is 3–6 CNY【estimate】, taxi is 25–45 CNY【estimate】 depending on traffic. Back by 17:30. Pack tonight if you leave tomorrow, and keep your passport and booking screenshots somewhere you can reach without wifi.
Optional extras
If you get an extra half day
1. Jingshan Park at opening. Go up to Wanchun Pavilion right at gate open, before the tour groups. 20 min up, 20 min down, then breakfast nearby. Ticket is a small fee, budget 2–10 CNY【estimate】.
2. Nanluoguxiang and the side hutongs. Walk the main lane once, then turn into the smaller lanes east and west — that is where the actual houses are. No ticket. 1.5–2 hours.
3. Qianmen Street and the Dashilan lanes. Straight walk south from the square area, shops on both sides, side lanes for food. No ticket. 1–1.5 hours.
4. A second Temple of Heaven morning. Go at 07:00–08:00 when locals do tai chi and sing in the Long Corridor. Same ticket rules as the main visit; check the gate for the current price.
Tickets & booking
| Site | Price | Booking | Location | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forbidden CityMap ↗ | 60 CNY peak / 40 CNY off-peak【估算】 | Must book in advance on the official site; passport number required; booking opens 7 days ahead at 20:00 Beijing time | Meridian Gate, north of Tiananmen Square; nearest metro Tian'anmen East (Line 1), Exit A | 08:30–17:00, last entry 16:00; closed Mondays except public holidays【估算】 |
| Tiananmen SquareMap ↗ | Free【估算】 | Security check on entry; passport required; may need advance reservation on busy days — check on the day | South of the Forbidden City; metro Tian'anmen East (Line 1) or Qianmen (Line 2) | Hours vary by season; typically open early morning to evening【估算】 |
| Jingshan ParkMap ↗ | 2–10 CNY【估算】 | Usually buy at the gate; no advance booking confirmed | North of the Forbidden City, Jingshan Front Street; walk from Shenwumen exit | 06:30–20:00【估算】 |
| Temple of HeavenMap ↗ | 15 CNY park / 35 CNY combo with halls【估算】 | Buy at the gate or online; passport may be needed for online booking | East Gate: metro Tiantan Dongmen (Line 5); South Gate: metro Tiantan Dongmen or Jingtai | Park 06:00–22:00, halls 08:00–17:30【估算】 |
Sources and fields retrieved in this session are listed in the overview network query section. Missing details — exact prices, current opening hours, and booking rules — need to be confirmed on the official sites before you go. Prices above are estimates, not verified figures.
Tips & pitfalls
Book the Forbidden City the moment the window opens. The museum's own site says booking opens at 20:00 up to 7 days before your visit day. Set an alarm for 19:55, have every passport number typed out, and book one ticket per person. If the day is full, try the next day — do not buy from a stranger outside the gate.
Carry your passport everywhere. It is checked at Tiananmen Square security, at the Forbidden City entry, and often at the Temple of Heaven gate. A photo on your phone is a backup, not a substitute — bring the physical booklet.
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your foreign card before you land. Both accept many international cards, but the card issuer may block the first small charge as fraud. Do one tiny test payment at your hotel or a convenience store on day one. Keep 100–200 CNY cash【estimate】 as backup.
Download an offline map of Beijing before you go. Google Maps is unreliable here. Download the city area in your map app of choice, and save your hotel name and address in Chinese characters — show that to any taxi driver. Screenshot the Chinese name of every place you plan to visit.
Check entry rules for your own passport with an official Chinese immigration or consular source before booking anything. This itinerary cannot tell you whether you need a visa, how long you can stay, or which ports you can use — that depends on your nationality and changes. Confirm it yourself, in writing, from the official source.
Expect a security queue at Tiananmen Square. Go early, carry a small bag, and leave liquids and power banks easy to reach. If the square is closed for an event, walk around it and go straight to the Forbidden City — do not stand in a dead queue.
Eat lunch before 12:00 or after 13:00. The 12:00–13:00 window near the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven is the worst queue of the day. A 30-minute shift saves you 20 minutes of standing.
If you feel unwell — stomach, heat, or a bad night — stop and rest, drink water, and do not push through the afternoon. For severe or lasting symptoms, contact a local medical service or your travel insurance line. Do not self-prescribe.
Where to stay
| Area | Reference price | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dongcheng — Wangfujing / Dengshikou | 400–900 CNY per night【估算】 | Walkable to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen; metro Line 1 and Line 5 nearby; lots of food options |
| Dongcheng — Qianmen / Temple of Heaven area | 350–800 CNY per night【估算】 | Closer to Temple of Heaven for Day 2; still on the metro; quieter streets |
| Chaoyang — Sanlitun / Guomao | 500–1200 CNY per night【估算】 | More hotel choice and nightlife, but 30–45 min commute to both sights; pick this only if you want a modern base |
Booking logic
Stay in Dongcheng if you can. It puts both days within a 30-minute ride and Day 1 within walking distance. Book a room with free cancellation in case your entry eligibility check changes your plans.
Three questions to ask the hotel
- Can you register my stay with my passport on arrival? (Required by law.)
- Do you have a printed card with the hotel name and address in Chinese? (Useful for taxis.)
- Is there a metro station within a 10-minute walk, and which line?
Light sleeper note
Rooms facing main roads in Wangfujing and Qianmen can be noisy. Ask for a courtyard-facing or higher-floor room. If you are sensitive to noise, bring earplugs.
Budget
Per person · entire trip · CNY 570.00–1,340.00【estimate】
| Item | Estimated range |
|---|---|
| 1 night hotel, mid-range double room, per person (shared) | CNY 250.00–600.00【estimate】 |
| City transport: metro and short taxi rides, 2 days | CNY 40.00–120.00【estimate】 |
| Attraction tickets: Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Temple of Heaven | CNY 80.00–120.00【estimate】 |
| Meals: 2 lunches, 1 dinner, snacks and drinks | CNY 150.00–350.00【estimate】 |
| Other: SIM/eSIM data, water, incidentals | CNY 50.00–150.00【estimate】 |
| Total | CNY 570.00–1,340.00【estimate】 |
Planning estimates, not live quotes; confirm inclusions, taxes and booking conditions.
If things go wrong
Heavy rain
Skip Jingshan and the park perimeter. Move to indoor blocks: the Forbidden City halls are partly covered, and the Temple of Heaven has covered corridors. Carry a light rain shell, not an umbrella, for the security queues. Check the hourly forecast before you leave the hotel and reorder the day if the rain window is clear.
Bookings full
If the Forbidden City is sold out for your date, book the next available day and swap the two days around. If the Temple of Heaven through-ticket is gone, the park ticket alone still gets you in — the halls are the extra. Never buy a resold ticket from a person on the street.
Missed metro or taxi
If you miss your stop, get off at the next station and ride back — do not panic-buy a new ticket. If a taxi will not take you, show the Chinese hotel name and address on your phone. If you are stuck after 22:00, use the metro app or a ride-hailing app in the same Alipay or WeChat you already set up.
Stomach trouble or lost passport
Stomach trouble: stop, rest, drink clean water, eat plain food if you feel like it. Do not force a fast or self-medicate. If it lasts or gets worse, contact a local medical service or your insurance line. Lost passport: report it to the police for a report slip, then contact your embassy or consulate — keep a photo of the passport data page and your entry stamp somewhere online.
Food list
| Day | Meal | Area | Place | Order | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Breakfast · casual | Near hotel, Dongcheng | Any convenience store or baozi shop | Baozi, soy milk, egg | 10–25 CNY【estimate】 |
| Day 1 | Lunch | Near Shenwumen exit | Noodle or dumpling shop on the side streets | Beef noodles or dumplings plus a vegetable | 40–80 CNY【estimate】 |
| Day 1 | Afternoon tea | Near Jingshan east gate | Cafe near the park gate | Tea or coffee | 25–45 CNY【estimate】 |
| Day 1 | Dinner | Dongcheng | Siji Minfu Roast Duck (Dengshikou) or Haidilao Hot Pot (Wangfujing) | Half roast duck plus vegetable and soup; or half-and-half hot pot with two vegetables and one meat | 120–200 CNY【estimate】 |
| Day 2 | Breakfast · casual | Near hotel, Dongcheng | Any convenience store or congee shop | Congee, egg, steamed bun | 10–25 CNY【estimate】 |
| Day 2 | Lunch | Temple of Heaven South Gate | Yaoji Chaogan (Temple of Heaven branch) | Chaogan and baozi, or noodles if you skip liver | 30–60 CNY【estimate】 |
| Day 2 | Afternoon tea | Near South Gate | Teahouse or cafe near the gate | Tea or coffee | 25–50 CNY【estimate】 |
| Day 2 | Dinner | Dongcheng, near hotel | Hotel area restaurant or a mall food floor | One main plus rice, or a shared hot pot | 60–150 CNY【estimate】 |
Allergy note: no restaurant can be guaranteed free of your allergen. Tell staff what you cannot eat, ask them to check the ingredients and the cross-contact in the kitchen, and carry your own backup food if the risk is serious.
Souvenirs
| Type | Pick | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tea | Jasmine tea, small tin | 40–120 CNY【estimate】 | Tea shops in Dongcheng or a supermarket |
| Snacks | Beijing-style candied fruit or nut cakes, boxed | 20–60 CNY【estimate】 | Supermarket or Qianmen side lanes |
| Cloth and craft | Silk scarf or a small embroidered pouch | 50–200 CNY【estimate】 | Qianmen Street shops, or a department store |
| Museum item | Forbidden City postcard set or notebook | 30–90 CNY【estimate】 | Museum shop inside the Forbidden City, near the exit |
| Everyday | Chopsticks set or a small teapot | 40–150 CNY【estimate】 | Supermarket or a homeware floor in a mall |
Do not buy at the first stall outside a scenic gate. The same tea and the same postcards sit in a supermarket or a museum shop for less, and the museum shop item is the one you cannot get at home. Walk one street back from any gate before you open your wallet.