Beijing Imperial & Great Wall Journey
Walk in the footsteps of emperors and experience the grandeur of China's ancient capital
About This Route
Beijing, China's imperial capital for over 800 years, is a city where ancient history meets modern dynamism. From the magnificent Forbidden City to the awe-inspiring Great Wall, from the sacred Temple of Heaven to the vibrant hutongs, this 7-day journey will immerse you in China's rich cultural heritage.
What You'll Experience:
- Explore the Forbidden City, the world's largest imperial palace complex
- Hike the Great Wall at Mutianyu or Jinshanling
- Wander through the historic hutongs of Beijing
- Experience authentic Peking duck and imperial cuisine
- Visit the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace
- Discover Tiananmen Square and the National Museum
7-Day Itinerary
Arrival & Tiananmen Square
Morning: Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport. Transfer to your hotel in Dongcheng or Xicheng district. Afternoon orientation and rest.
Afternoon: Visit Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square.
Evening: Welcome dinner featuring Beijing-style cuisine.
Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven
Morning: Explore the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Afternoon: Visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors prayed for good harvests.
Evening: Walk through a traditional hutong area and visit a local courtyard home.
Great Wall at Mutianyu
Full Day: Day trip to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Enjoy a scenic hike on one of the best-preserved sections of the Wall.
Summer Palace & Old Summer Palace
Morning: Visit the Summer Palace, a magnificent imperial garden with Kunming Lake.
Afternoon: Explore the ruins of the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan).
Evening: Peking duck dinner at a historic restaurant.
Lama Temple & Hutong Exploration
Morning: Visit the Lama Temple, one of China's most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries.
Afternoon: Explore Nanluoguxiang hutong and shop for traditional crafts.
Evening: Dinner in a local hutong restaurant.
National Museum & Modern Beijing
Morning: Visit the National Museum of China, one of the largest museums in the world.
Afternoon: Explore modern Beijing at Wangfujing or Sanlitun.
Evening: Farewell dinner with traditional Beijing entertainment.
Departure
Morning: Final breakfast, last-minute souvenir shopping, or a final walk through your favorite hutong.
Afternoon: Transfer to the airport for your departure, with wonderful memories of Beijing's imperial grandeur.
Gallery
What Travelers Say
Andrew Foster
Chicago, IL | April 2026
Great Wall at Mutianyu is the move. Way fewer tourists than Badaling, and you can take the toboggan slide down. Hiked Tower 14 to 22, the unrestored section is wild and overgrown. Wear good shoes, it is steep.
Michelle Tran
San Diego, CA | March 2026
The Forbidden City is overwhelming in scale. 980 buildings, 9,999 rooms, and you feel every one in your feet. The marble ramps with dragon carvings are insane. Audio guide is worth the 40 yuan.
James Wilson
Houston, TX | January 2026
Temple of Heaven at dawn is where Beijing's seniors do tai chi, play mahjong, and practice water calligraphy on the pavement. Way more interesting than the buildings themselves. Joined a group for 20 minutes, they were thrilled.
Stephanie Liu
Boston, MA | May 2026
Summer Palace in spring is gorgeous. Boated across Kunming Lake, walked the Long Corridor with its 14,000 painted scenes, and hiked Longevity Hill for panoramic views. The Marble Boat is smaller than you would think but still cool.
Brandon Hayes
Atlanta, GA | February 2026
Got lost in the hutongs near Nanluoguxiang and it was the best part of my trip. A grandma invited me into her courtyard house to see her pigeon coop. Had jianbing from a street cart for 8 yuan.
Nicole Patterson
Denver, CO | April 2026
Peking duck at Quanjude is an event. They carve the whole bird tableside, serve the crispy skin with sugar, then the meat with pancakes and hoisin. Pricey at 400 yuan but split between four people it is reasonable.
Ryan Kim
Seattle, WA | March 2026
798 Art District is massive. Former factory complex turned galleries, cafes, and street art. Spent a whole afternoon hopping between shows. The huge mural of Mao with bunny ears is the perfect selfie spot.
Lauren Baker
Portland, OR | May 2026
Catching Peking Opera at Liyuan Theatre was bizarre and beautiful. The costumes, the face paint, the singing style that sounds nothing like Western opera. Subtitles helped follow the story. Front row seats were only 200 yuan.
Practical Information
Best Time to Visit
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the most pleasant weather. Summer can be hot, while winter is cold but dry with occasional snow.
Getting Around
Beijing has an extensive subway system that covers most tourist attractions. Taxis and Didi are readily available. Walking is great in hutong areas.
Local Cuisine
Don't miss Peking duck, jianbing (Chinese crepes), zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste), and hot pot. Beijing cuisine is hearty and flavorful.
Cultural Tips
Learn basic Mandarin phrases - locals appreciate the effort. Dress modestly when visiting temples. Bargaining is common in markets but not in fixed-price stores.