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Complete Guide to Beijing's Classic Attractions

World Cultural Heritage · Royal Architectural Treasures · Must-Visit in Ancient Capital Beijing

The Palace Museum (Forbidden City)

Formerly known as the Forbidden City, the Palace Museum is located at the center of Beijing's central axis. It served as the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and is one of the largest and best-preserved wooden-structured ancient buildings in the world. With over 9,000 halls and rooms, it is magnificent and resplendent, known as the "Sea of Palaces".

Visitor Information

Opening Hours

08:30–17:00 (Closed on Mondays)

Ticket Price

Peak Season: ¥60 per person; Off Season: ¥40 per person

Transportation

Subway Line 1: Tiananmen East / Tiananmen West Station

Travel Tips

  • Recommended visiting time: 3–4 hours
  • Visit in the order of Central Axis → East Six Palaces → West Six Palaces
  • Book tickets in advance during peak season, wear comfortable shoes
The Palace Museum

Badaling Great Wall

Badaling Great Wall is the best-preserved and most representative section of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Built in 1504, it is the essence of the Ming Great Wall, with an altitude of 1015 meters, a wall height of 7.8 meters, a top width of 5 meters, and a base width of 6.5 meters.

Listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1987, it is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a must-visit for people from all walks of life at home and abroad visiting Beijing.

Travel Guide

Opening Hours

Peak Season: 06:30-17:00

Off Season: 07:00-16:00

Ticket Price

Peak Season: ¥40 per person

Off Season: ¥35 per person

Transportation

Take Bus 877 from Deshengmen directly to Badaling

High-speed Railway: Badaling Great Wall Station

Travel Tips

  • Recommended visiting time: 3 hours
  • Wear comfortable and non-slip shoes
  • Buy tickets online in advance
  • North Tower offers better scenery but is more crowded
Badaling Great Wall Panorama

Summer Palace

First constructed in 1750, originally named the Garden of Clear Ripples, the Summer Palace is the best-preserved imperial garden in China, known as the "Museum of Royal Gardens". Based on Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, it was built modeled after West Lake in Hangzhou, drawing on the design techniques of Jiangnan gardens.

Listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1998, it is a national 5A-level tourist attraction.

Travel Guide

Opening Hours

06:00-20:00 (Peak Season)

07:00-19:00 (Off Season)

Ticket Price

Entrance Ticket: ¥30; Combined Ticket: ¥60

Transportation

Subway Line 4: North Palace Gate Station / Xiyuan Station

Travel Tips

  • Recommended visiting time: 4-5 hours
  • Must-visit: Long Corridor, Tower of Buddhist Incense, Marble Boat, Seventeen-Arch Bridge
  • Boat rides on the lake are available
Summer Palace

Temple of Heaven Park

First built in 1420 (the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty), the Temple of Heaven was the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped the Supreme Ruler of Heaven and prayed for good harvests. It is the largest and highest-ranked ancient complex for heaven worship existing in China.

Listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1998, it is famous for its rigorous architectural layout, unique structural design and magnificent decorative details.

Travel Guide

Opening Hours

06:00-22:00 (Park Area)

08:00-17:30 (Scenic Area)

Ticket Price

Entrance Ticket: ¥15; Combined Ticket: ¥34

Transportation

Subway Line 5: Temple of Heaven East Gate Station

Travel Tips

  • Must-visit: Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Circular Mound Altar, Echo Wall
  • Recommended visiting time: 2-3 hours
  • Experience local morning exercises in the early morning
Temple of Heaven
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