Things to do and see around Beijing: Best activities & Day trips

Did Beijing amaze you with its imperial palaces and rich history? Why not explore the city's surroundings and discover sites that are as iconic as they are off the beaten track!

Tempted? Trip.com reveals its top excursions for discovering the hidden gems around the Chinese capital and the stunning Hebei province!

Top Activities Around Beijing 🎫

• 🏯 Mutianyu Great Wall 🚡 Entry + Cable Car - The best-preserved section and cable car 🎿
• 👑 Ming Tombs & Sacred Way ⚱️ - UNESCO Imperial Necropolis with giant statues 🦁
• 🏛️ Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) 🌊 - Imperial Garden and Romantic Kunming Lake 🚣
• ⛰️ Chengde & the Mountain Resort 🏰 - Imperial Summer Residence and Tibetan Temples 🙏

What to Do Around Beijing by Time Available 🧭

The areas surrounding Beijing offer a fantastic variety of excursions to suit every kind of trip. Whether you’re looking for a quick day out or have a full week to explore, here are our suggested itineraries, personalised to your preferences!

Now, let’s explore the must-see activities and sights around Beijing!

Top 4 Activities and Places Around Beijing 🗺️

The Mutianyu Great Wall: Discovering Chinese History

The Great Wall of China is, of course, the number one day trip from Beijing! But you might be wondering: which section should I choose? With over 21,000 km of wall stretching across several provinces, the decision can certainly feel a little daunting. For most travellers, Mutianyu is the go-to choice – and we’re here to tell you why!

👆 What you need to know:

• Nestled approximately 70 km northeast of Beijing (a scenic 1.5 to 2-hour drive away), Mutianyu stands out as the most beautifully restored and longest section of the Great Wall open to visitors, boasting 23 original watchtowers stretching across nearly 5.4 km of majestic mountain ridges!
• Unlike the ultra-touristy Badaling section, Mutianyu retains a more authentic and less crowded atmosphere, especially on weekdays.
• What makes Mutianyu particularly appealing is its modern cable car, which whisks you straight up to the wall effortlessly (return trip 140 CNY / £15) – ideal for families with children or those with limited mobility.
• Once you're on the wall, you can head east or west depending on your fitness level: from a leisurely 1-hour stroll to a more intense 3-4 hour hike across the steepest and less-crowded sections.

📌 Trip.com Top Tip: Arrive early in the morning (8 am – 9 am) or in the late afternoon to beat the tour groups and enjoy the perfect golden hour light for your photos. If you're a photographer or an experienced hiker, consider Jinshanling (a wilder section 2.5 hours away) or Jiankou (a spectacular but challenging unrestored section).

The Ming Tombs and the Sacred Way: The Imperial Necropolis

The Ming tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are the imperial necropolis where 13 of the 16 Ming dynasty emperors (1368-1644) are laid to rest.

👆 What you need to know:

• Nestled in a mountain valley roughly 50 km northwest of Beijing, in a location carefully chosen according to the principles of feng shui, these monumental tombs stand as a magnificent testament to the grandeur and power of the Ming Empire.
• Your experience begins with the spectacular Sacred Way, a 7km ceremonial path built in 1435. This majestic avenue first passes through the Great Red Gate (Dahongmen), an imposing red-painted portal consisting of three arches, preceded by a massive stone memorial arch from 1540 – one of the largest in China.
• Only three tombs are open to the public: Changling, the largest and best-preserved, where Emperor Yongle (founder of the Forbidden City) rests; Dingling, the only tomb whose underground burial chamber has been excavated and can be visited; and Zhaoling, which is smaller but charming.

📌 Trip.com Tip: Focus your visit on the Sacred Way and Changling (the most impressive). Avoid Dingling if you’re claustrophobic – the underground burial chamber is dark and oppressive.

The Summer Palace: The Imperial Garden on the Lake

The Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a must-see masterpiece on the outskirts of Beijing (accessible in just 30 minutes from the city centre by metro or taxi).

💡 A little bit of history to help you learn more about the Summer Palace:

• Originally built in the 18th century under Emperor Qianlong and later reconstructed in 1886 by Empress Dowager Cixi, this sprawling 290-hectare estate served as the imperial family’s summer retreat—the perfect escape from the stifling heat of the Forbidden City.
• Kunming Lake covers three-quarters of the park's total area (around 220 hectares) and forms the very heart of the Summer Palace. This man-made lake, excavated by 100,000 workers, follows the traditional Chinese garden design of 'one pond and three mountains', with its three islands representing the sacred mountains of Taoist mythology.
• Overlooking the lake, Longevity Hill is home to numerous temples, pavilions and pagodas, including the spectacular Temple of the Sea of Buddhist Wisdom.

📌 Trip.com Tip: Allow at least 3-4 hours for a full visit. Rent a pedalo to explore Kunming Lake!

Chengde: The Emperors' Mountain Retreat

The final must-see spot around Beijing is Chengde! Located about 230 km north-east of Beijing (a 2.5 to 3-hour journey by high-speed train), it’s a fantastic destination for a full-day excursion or a two-day weekend getaway.

👆 Everything you need to know about Chengde:

• This historic mountain city is home to the Chengde Mountain Resort, also known as the 'Imperial Summer Resort' – the largest surviving imperial palace in China and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Built between 1703 and 1792 under the Qing dynasty emperors Kangxi and Qianlong, this spectacular 560-hectare residence (twice the size of Beijing's Summer Palace!) served as a summer capital where the imperial court would retreat during the hot months from June to September.
• But Chengde is also home to the spectacular Eight Outlying Temples, built around the imperial residence to welcome delegations from ethnic minorities (Mongols, Tibetans, and Uyghurs) who came to pay tribute to the emperor.

📌 Trip.com Tip: Ideally, you’ll want to spend 2 days and 1 night in Chengde to comfortably explore the Imperial Summer Resort and its main temples. If you only have one day, focus on the Mountain Resort in the morning, then head to the Putuo Zongcheng Temple and Puning Temple in the afternoon.

Local Food to Try Around Beijing 🍜

What would a trip to Beijing be without discovering the culinary delights of Northern China? The cuisine of Hebei and Beijing is famous for its hearty portions, bold flavours, and comforting dishes—the perfect treat after a day of exploring.

Trip.com has handpicked the must-try local dishes for you to sample during your exploration:

• Peking Duck: the ultimate iconic specialty! This roast duck, with its golden, ultra-crispy skin, is carved into thin slices and served with delicate pancakes, spring onions, cucumber, and sweet hoisin sauce. Top restaurants: Quanjude (established in 1864) and Bianyifang (founded in 1416).
• Jiaozi: these dumplings, filled with pork, beef, lamb, or vegetables, are the soul of Northern cuisine. Whether served boiled, steamed, or pan-fried (guotie), they’re an absolute must-try. Every family has its own secret recipe, passed down through the generations!
• Zhajiangmian: these "soy sauce and meat" noodles are a popular Beijing favourite, featuring thick wheat noodles served with a rich sauce made from fermented soybean paste and minced pork, topped with crunchy raw vegetables (cucumber, radish, and cabbage).
• Mongolian Hot Pot: originating from the North, this Chinese-style fondue is enjoyed by dipping thinly sliced meats (mainly lamb), vegetables, and noodles into a bubbling spicy broth at the centre of the table. Perfect for those chilly evenings!
• Tianjin’s Goubuli Baozi: these stuffed steamed buns have been the city's iconic speciality since 1858. The name literally means 'Dogs ignore them', as the original cook was far too busy preparing them to chat with his customers!

💡Our golden rule: don't leave Beijing without trying Peking Duck in an authentic restaurant, and make the most of your excursions to Tianjin to discover the original Goubuli Baozi.

Best Time to Visit Around Beijing 🌦️

The areas surrounding Beijing can be explored all year round, but each season offers a completely different experience. The dry continental climate is characterised by four distinct seasons, with significant temperature variations.

Here’s a comprehensive overview to help you pick the perfect time for your trip, based on your priorities and the activities you’re dreaming of.

💡 Our Trip.com recommendation: September–October and April–May are the perfect times to explore the region, with exceptional weather and stunning landscapes.

Best Day Trips Around Beijing 🚄

Journey to Mutianyu Great Wall

• By tourist bus: from several departure points in Beijing (1.5-2 hours, 40-80 CNY / £5-10). Frequency is limited.
• On an organised tour: the most convenient option, with return transport, a guide and lunch all included.

Journey to the Ming Tombs

• By public bus: Take Line 872 from Deshengmen (2 hours; very budget-friendly, but can be a bit tricky).
• As part of a combined tour: it’s usually paired with the Badaling or Mutianyu Great Wall for a full day out.

Heading to the Summer Palace

• By Metro: Hop on Line 4 to Beigongmen (North Gate) or Xiyuan station, then it's just a delightful 10-minute stroll! This journey typically takes around 45-60 minutes from the city centre and is wonderfully affordable, costing only 3-5 CNY / £0.34–0.55. Super easy!
• By taxi/Didi: from central Beijing (30-40 mins, approx. 40-60 CNY / £4.25–6.80).

Heading to Chengde

• By high-speed train: Regular services run from Beijing Chaoyang Station (2.5–3 hours, 80–150 CNY /£8.50–16.15). It’s comfortable and fast!
• By long-distance bus: not the best option (4-5 hours, can be quite tiring).

💡Trip.com Top Tip: Book your high-speed train tickets in advance on Trip.com to secure your seat, especially for weekends and holidays.

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