01Cultural Stop
798 Art District
北京798艺术区
All Ages
Admission
District entry is free; special exhibitions are separately ticketed.
Typical Visit
3-4 hours
At a Glance
Visa Policy
Visa-free for tour groups (many nationalities)
Best Season
Sep–Oct
Climate
Continental, dry
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Top Attractions
02Urban Landmark
Badaling Great Wall
八达岭长城
All Ages
Admission
CNY 40 in peak season and CNY 35 in the off-season; cable car and transport are separate.
Typical Visit
3-5 hours
03Urban Landmark
Beihai Park
北海公园
All Ages
Admission
CNY 10 in peak season and CNY 5 in the off-season; combo tickets are separate.
Typical Visit
2-3 hours
04Historic Walk
Capital Museum
首都博物馆
All Ages
Admission
Free; no reservation required. Bring valid ID.
Typical Visit
2-4 hours
05Historic Walk
Dashilar
北京大栅栏
All Ages
Admission
Free public street access.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours
06Urban Landmark
Forbidden City
故宫
All Ages
Admission
CNY 60 in peak season, CNY 40 in the off-season, and student tickets from CNY 20. Reservation required.
Typical Visit
4-5 hours
07Urban Landmark
Jingshan Park
景山公园
All Ages
Admission
Usually CNY 2 for adults and CNY 1 for students; festival pricing can be higher.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours
08Nature Escape
Mutianyu Great Wall
慕田峪长城
All Ages
Admission
Adult tickets are about CNY 40-45; children, students, and seniors have concessions.
Typical Visit
5-7 hours
09Food District
Nanluoguxiang
南锣鼓巷
All Ages
Admission
Free public hutong lane access.
Typical Visit
1.5-2.5 hours
10Urban Landmark
National Centre for the Performing Arts
国家大剧院
All Ages
Admission
CNY 30 in the low season and CNY 40 in peak season; performance tickets include entry.
Typical Visit
1.5-3 hours
11Urban Landmark
National Museum of China
中国国家博物馆
All Ages
Admission
Free, but reservations are required 1-7 days in advance.
Typical Visit
3-5 hours
12Urban Landmark
National Stadium (Bird's Nest)
国家体育场
All Ages
Admission
The exterior is free; interior visits are about CNY 50, with concessions for some visitors.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours
13Historic Walk
Prince Gong's Mansion
恭王府
All Ages
Admission
Adult tickets are about CNY 40; students and visitors aged 60+ are about CNY 20. Reservation required.
Typical Visit
1.5-2.5 hours
14Food District
Shichahai Bar Street
什刹海酒吧街
Adults Focused
Admission
Free public access; venue minimums vary.
Typical Visit
1.5-3 hours
15Food District
Shichahai
什刹海
All Ages
Admission
Free public lake district; boat rides and individual venues are separate.
Typical Visit
2-4 hours
16Historic Walk
Summer Palace
颐和园
All Ages
Admission
Main admission is about CNY 20 in the off-season and CNY 30 in peak season; some areas and boat rides cost extra.
Typical Visit
4-6 hours
17Historic Walk
Temple of Heaven
天坛
All Ages
Admission
Through-ticket: CNY 34 in peak season and CNY 28 in the off-season; park-only tickets are also available.
Typical Visit
2-3 hours
18Urban Landmark
Tiananmen Square
天安门广场
All Ages
Admission
Free, but reservations should be arranged in advance through the Tiananmen platform.
Typical Visit
1.5-3 hours
19Urban Landmark
Wangfujing Pedestrian Street
王府井步行街
All Ages
Admission
Public street access is free; some themed or interactive zones may charge separately.
Typical Visit
1.5-3 hours
20Urban Landmark
Water Cube
水立方
All Ages
Admission
Standard tickets are about CNY 30; student tickets are about CNY 15.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours
21Food District
Yandai Xiejie
烟袋斜街
All Ages
Admission
Street access is free; climbing the Drum Tower requires a separate ticket.
Typical Visit
45-90 minutes
22Historic Walk
Yuanmingyuan Park
圆明园
All Ages
Admission
Main park admission is about CNY 10; the Western Mansions ruins area costs extra.
Typical Visit
3-4 hours
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