1pm-2pm
After exiting the Forbidden City through the Gate of Divine Might, cross the street to enter Jingshan Park — tickets are 10 yuan. It boasts the best views of central Beijing.
It takes about 10 minutes to reach the top of the hill. Looking to the south provides a great view of the Forbidden City, which was designed in such a way that no one on the hill would be able to see any people within its walls.
To the west is Beijing’s central business district with clusters of skyscrapers. To the southwest lies the egg-shaped National Grand Theater.
2pm-5pm
Moving along, hop on bus No. 685 for the 30-minute trek to the Temple of Heaven.
The temple was a shrine where Ming and Qing emperors came to pray for good harvests. The temple’s layout and design had a profound influence on Chinese architecture over many centuries.
It is comprised of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a magnificent triple-gabled circular building; Imperial Vault of Heaven, a single-gabled circular building; and The Circular Mound Altar, an empty circular platform on three levels of marble stones. All of these buildings reflect the ancient Chinese philosophy that heaven was a circle, explaining why the buildings within the temple were circular. The dark blue roof tiles also represent heaven.
Tickets are 35 yuan each from April through October. The rest of the year it’s 30 yuan.
5pm-8pm
Walking most of the day definitely works up an appetite. Check out Wangfujing Night Market to fill up on a variety of local snacks and Cantonese dim sum.
Most travelers to Beijing will want to try Peking duck and luzhu huoshao, a combination of pig’s tripe, lung and intestine, tofu and a wheaten cake boiled in broth, added with garlic sauce, fermented tofu sauce, caraway, vinegar and chili oil.
Quan Ju De restaurant is known across China for its succulent and mellow Peking duck. For out-of-town tourists, eating duck in this restaurant often ranks high on their list of things to do in Beijing. The average price per person is 180 yuan at Quan Ju De.
Peking duck skin is crispy, making a nice contrast with the tender duck meat. Servers will slice the duck in front of diners. The duck meat, scallions, thin cucumber slices and sweet bean sauce are wrapped in a thin pancake.
Luzhu huoshao can be found at roadside food stalls at the night market.
The Temple of Heaven is only 30 minutes from the night market by Metro Line 5.
8pm-10pm
Next up is a short stroll to nearby St Joseph’s Church. Construction of the original church was completed in 1655. It features a Romanesque revival style with a mixture of European and Chinese elements. It was rebuilt in 1904.
8am-12pm
An old Chinese saying goes, “He who doesn’t reach the Great Wall is not a true man.”
It has inspired people from home and abroad to make the trek and walk atop the fabled wall. The Badaling section draws the most tourists. Family-run guesthouses and local restaurants provide travelers with a chance to spend more time on the wall if so desired, but for the sake of this quick trip, plan on half a day.
A cable car (80 yuan round-trip) brings visitors to the top faster, but it feels disingenuous. After coming this far, make the effort to hike up yourself. Audio guides in Mandarin, French and English are available.
From downtown Beijing, its costs more than 200 yuan to get there by taxi. Or save some cash by taking bus No. 877, available at Desheng Gate Bus Station. It takes 30 minutes and costs 12 yuan.
12pm-3pm
Returning downtown, head for Qianmen Pedestrian Street. Qianmen Gate is situated at the south side of Tiananmen Square. Although most of Beijing’s city walls have been demolished, Qianmen remains intact and serves as an important landmark on the central north-south axis.
The pedestrian street is dotted with local time-honored brands. Chinese tourists often stop here to buy local specialties and souvenirs, including Beijing-style cloth shoes and paper fans.
3pm-7pm
Alongside Qianmen Pedestrian Street is Da Shilanr, a commercial lane featuring Beijing traditional brands and olden wooden buildings. It’s also got a nice selection of restaurants serving authentic Beijing delicacies.
Give the famous Dong Lai Shun restaurant a try. Its signature dish is mutton hotpot. The mutton is sliced as thin as a piece of paper. Dip the slices into the boiling water for a few seconds and then top with your preferred sauce or seasonings.
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