From the Great Wall to hidden hutong cafes, here are the 17 best things to do in Beijing for your 2026 travel checklist.

Is there anything fun to do in Beijing? Absolutely. Whether you’re a culture buff, foodie, history lover or theme park thrill-seeker, Beijing is worth visiting for any tourist. With a stunning mix of dynastic heritage and modern-day vibes (plus a full-scale Universal Studios park since 2021), it’s one of Asia’s most dynamic cities to explore.

Good news for Singapore passport holders: since February 2024, you can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days — no transit visa workarounds needed.

Not sure how long to stay? Some wonder, “Is 7 days too long in Beijing?” Honestly, it depends, but for most travellers, 3 to 5 days is perfect for experiencing the best sights without rushing. Short on time? We’ve included a sample 3-day itinerary below to help you make the most of your trip. Check out our shortlist of 17 best things to do in Beijing!

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⚡️ TL;DR: Beijing 2026 at a Glance

Quick Answer	Details
Top 3 must-dos	The Great Wall (Mutianyu section), Forbidden City + Jingshan Park combo, and Peking duck at Quanjude
How many days?	3–5 days for highlights; 5–7 days if you want Universal Studios, the Summer Palace, and slow hutong cafe afternoons
Best time to visit	April–May or September–October. Mid-December to early February if you want snow on the Great Wall
Visa for SG passports	30 days visa-free since February 2024 — passport with 6+ months’ validity is all you need
Daily budget (mid-range)	~S$130–180/day excluding flights and Universal Studios
How to pay	Link your YouTrip Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay (under 200 CNY = 0% fee).
Historical & Cultural Icons	Great Wall · Forbidden City · Tiananmen Square · Jingshan Park · Temple of Heaven · Summer Palace · Marco Polo Bridge
Must-Try Beijing Food	Peking Duck at Quanjude · Donkey Burger at Wang Pang Zi · Tanghulu street snack
Arts, Culture & Hutong Cafes	798 Art District · Lao She Tea House · Houhai Lake & Drum Tower (Bonus) · Nanluoguxiang cafe scene
Nature & Outdoors	Fragrant Hills Park
Markets & Nightlife	Panjiayuan Ghost Market
Theme Parks & Family Fun	Universal Studios Beijing (Bonus)

📖 Related Guide: Doing a multi-city China trip? Check out 31 things to do in Shanghai

Table of Contents

1. Is Beijing Easy for Tourists? Visa, Payment & Getting Around
2. When to Visit Beijing
3. What to Do in Beijing for 3 Days
4. Historical & Cultural Icons
5. What to Eat in Beijing
6. Arts, Culture & Hutong Cafes
7. Nature & Outdoors
8. Markets & Nightlife
9. Theme Parks & Family Fun
10. FAQs About Visiting Beijing
11. Bonus Travel Tips

Is Beijing Easy for Tourists? Visa, Payment & Getting Around

Three things every Singaporean asks before booking. Quick answers:

• Visa: 30 days visa-free for SG passport holders since February 2024 — just bring a passport with at least 6 months’ validity

• Cash or card? Beijing is overwhelmingly cashless via Alipay and WeChat Pay. Link your YouTrip Mastercard to either app, and you can tap to pay almost everywhere. Transactions under 200 CNY go through at the wholesale rate with no service fee; above 200 CNY the apps charge 3% (still cheaper than most banks’ 3.25%+ FX markup).
  
• Need walking-around cash for small vendors? Withdraw CNY at any Beijing ATM — your first S$400 of withdrawals each calendar month is free with YouTrip, then 2% after that (resets on the 1st)

• Getting around: Beijing’s subway is cheap (3–9 CNY a ride) and goes almost everywhere. For door-to-door, use DiDi in English mode

🚇 Pro Tip: Tap Straight into the Beijing Subway with Your YouTrip Card

Since September 2024, Beijing’s entire 27-line, 490-station subway network accepts Mastercard contactless at the gates — no Yikatong card to buy, no metro app to set up, no Mandarin queue to navigate.

Just tap your YouTrip card at the entry gate, tap out at your destination, and the fare deducts at the wholesale CNY rate with zero FX fee. Works at airport lines and the Suburban Railway S2 too. It’s the single biggest “first-day-in-Beijing” hack for SG travellers.

📖 Related Guide: Our full guide to using YouTrip in China covers what works, what doesn’t, and how to set up before you fly.

When to Visit Beijing (Yes, It Snows)

Beijing has four hard-edged seasons, and the time you pick changes the trip completely:

Season	Months	What to Expect
Spring	Mar–May	Mild, dry, cherry blossoms in late March; the most pleasant overall
Summer	Jun–Aug	Hot (30–35°C), humid, occasional thunderstorms; peak tourist season
Autumn	Sep–Nov	Cool, crisp, golden ginkgos at Diaoyutai, red maples at Fragrant Hills — many locals’ favourite
Winter	Dec–Feb	Cold (often below 0°C), dry, occasional snow on the Great Wall (yes — it snows from late November)

If you want the Great Wall covered in snow, aim for mid-December to early February. For comfortable sightseeing, April–May and September–October are the sweet spots.

📖 Related Guide: Timing your trip around the cherry blossoms? Our China cherry blossom forecast maps where and when peak bloom lands across the country.

What to Do in Beijing for 3 Days

Here’s a suggested itinerary for first-timers:

• Day 1: Tiananmen Square → Forbidden City → Jingshan Park (sunset skyline) → Peking Duck at Quanjude
• Day 2: Great Wall (Mutianyu or Jinshanling) → Wangfujing Snack Street → Wang Pang Zi
• Day 3: Temple of Heaven → Summer Palace → Houhai Lake & Hutongs → Tea at Lao She Teahouse

Got 5–7 days? Add Universal Studios, Marco Polo Bridge, 798 Art District, and a slow afternoon on the Nanluoguxiang cafe trail.

📖 Related Guide: Got an extra few days and want to see modern China’s tech capital? Check out our Shenzhen travel guide.

Historical & Cultural Icons in Beijing

1. Walk The Great Wall Of China

A trip to Beijing isn’t complete without walking on the Great Wall of China — one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The wall stretches over 21,000 km, but the best sections for travellers are right here in Beijing.

Best Sections to Visit in 2026:

• Mutianyu (scenic & family-friendly, cable cars available)
• Jinshanling (great for hiking)
• Simatai (open at night with atmospheric lighting)
• Jiankou (wild and unrestored — best for experienced hikers)

Ticket Prices:

Great Wall Section	Entrance Fee
Badaling	🎟️ Apr–Oct: 40 CNY (~S$7.53) 🎟️ Nov–March: 35 CNY (~S$6.59)
Mutianyu	🎟️ 45 CNY (~S$8.47)
Juyongguan	🎟️ Apr–Oct: 45 CNY (~S$8.47) 🎟️ Nov–March: 40 CNY (~S$7.53)
Jinshanling	🎟️ Apr–Oct: 65 CNY (~S$12.24) 🎟️ Nov–March: 55 CNY (~S$10.36)
Simatai	🎟️ 40 CNY (~S$7.53)
Gubeikou	🎟️ 25 CNY (~S$4.71)
Huanghuacheng	🎟️ 45 CNY (~S$8.47)
Jiankou	Free

Mutianyu’s 45 CNY is the standard adult entry per the Beijing government tourism site; a 40 CNY basic ticket also exists without the postcard add-on. Advance online booking is now mandatory for most sections.

• Operating Hours: 9 AM – 4:30 PM
• Address: Huairou District, China, 101406

2. Explore The Forbidden City (Palace Museum)

One of Beijing’s most iconic landmarks, the Forbidden City is a vast imperial palace complex that housed 24 emperors. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers an unmissable glimpse into Ming and Qing dynasty life.

• Heads up: Tickets are real-name advance-booking only, released ~8 PM Beijing time, 7 days ahead of your visit. Daily quota is ~40,000, and peak slots go fast. Book the moment they drop.
• Entry Fee: Peak Season — 60 CNY (~S$11.30), Off Season — 40 CNY (~S$7.53)
• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (closed Mondays except public holidays)
• Address: 4 Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng, Beijing 100009

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3. Stand in Tiananmen Square

Right at the south gate of the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world and one of those places you have to see to grasp the sheer scale. Catch the daily flag-raising ceremony at sunrise or the flag-lowering at sunset — both draw crowds.

⚠️ Heads up — booking is mandatory: Real-name registration via WeChat is 100% required for 2026 entry. It’s free, but you need to book a specific time slot (Flag-Raising, Morning, Afternoon, or Flag-Lowering) and bring your physical passport. A single typo on the registration will get you turned away at the security gate. If self-booking through WeChat is a hassle, your hotel concierge can usually do it for you.

• Entry Fee: Free (advance reservation required)
• Opening Hours: Tied to sunrise (flag-raising) and sunset (flag-lowering) — check the official Beijing calendar 24 hours before your visit
• Address: Dongcheng District, Beijing 100051

4. Catch Sunset at Jingshan Park

Image credits: @zhq1129 on Lemon8

Across the road from the Forbidden City’s north gate, Jingshan Park has the single best panoramic view in Beijing — climb the artificial hill (about 10 minutes up) and the entire Forbidden City rooftop lays out beneath you. Time it for golden hour. This is the photo every Beijing travel guide uses.

🔥 Pro tip: Go after you’ve toured the Forbidden City, exit via the north gate, cross the street, and pay the 2 CNY to climb. Possibly the best-value attraction in the city.

• Entry Fee: 2 CNY (~S$0.38); 10 CNY (~S$1.88) during exhibition periods
• Opening Hours: Apr–Oct: 6:30 AM – 9 PM; Nov–March: 6:30 AM – 8 PM
• Address: Jingshanxi Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

5. Pray at the Temple of Heaven

Image credits: Tripadvisor

A UNESCO-listed Ming dynasty complex where emperors once prayed for good harvests, the Temple of Heaven is set inside a vast park that locals actually use — early-morning tai chi, calligraphy practice, choirs, and dancing. Walking through at 7 AM is one of the most real “this is Beijing” moments you’ll have.

📍 Don’t miss: The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (the iconic blue-roofed circular temple), the Echo Wall, and the Circular Mound Altar — these are the three paid scenic spots. Buy the combined ticket.

• Entry Fee: Park only — 15 CNY (~S$2.82) peak / 10 CNY (~S$1.88) off-peak. Combined ticket (park + 3 main sites) — 34 CNY (~S$6.40) peak / 28 CNY (~S$5.27) off-peak
• Opening Hours: Park: Apr–Oct 6 AM – 10 PM, Nov–Mar 6:30 AM – 10 PM (last entry 9 PM). Heritage sites stop admitting visitors at 4:30 PM
• Address: No. 7 Tiantan Neidongli, Dongcheng District, Beijing

6. Stroll the Summer Palace

Image credits: UNESCO World Heritage Centre

The largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China — 290 hectares of pavilions, marble bridges, and Kunming Lake. The Empress Dowager Cixi famously used naval funds to expand it. Rent a boat in summer or skate the lake when it freezes over in winter.

🔥 Pro tip: Enter from the East Palace Gate, follow the Long Corridor (728 metres of painted wooden ceiling), boat across Kunming Lake to South Lake Island, then exit via the West Gate. Half a day, no backtracking.

• Entry Fee: Park only — 30 CNY (~S$5.65) peak / 20 CNY (~S$3.77) off-peak. Combined ticket — 60 CNY (~S$11.30) peak / 50 CNY (~S$9.42) off-peak
• Opening Hours: Park: Apr–Oct 6 AM – 8 PM; Nov–Mar 6:30 AM – 7 PM. Core attractions close 1 hour earlier. Core attractions closed Mondays (except holidays + Jul 15 – Aug 31)
• Address: 19 Xinjiangongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100091

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7. Visit The Marco Polo Bridge

Image credits: Klook

Step into history at Marco Polo Bridge (Lugou Bridge), where the Second Sino-Japanese War began in 1937. The stone lions lining the bridge are all unique — count how many you can spot!

📍 Nearby: Don’t miss the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression for context and artefacts.

• Entry Fee: 20 CNY (~S$3.77)
• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
• Address: No. 77, South Street, Lugouqiao, Fengtai District, Beijing 100165

📖 Related Guide: Done with Beijing’s imperial north? Our Guangzhou travel guide is southern China’s foil — dim sum, Pearl River cruises, and centuries-old temples wedged between glass towers.

What to Eat in Beijing

8. Feast On Authentic Peking Duck at Quanjude

Image credits: Tripadvisor

Founded in 1864, Quanjude is Beijing’s most iconic roast duck restaurant. Sliced tableside and wrapped in delicate pancakes with cucumber and spring onion — this is a dining experience you can’t skip.

🔥 Pro tip: Every duck comes with a certificate and ID — a quirky souvenir of your meal!

⚠️ No reservations. Be prepared to queue.

• Opening Hours: 10:30 AM – 10:30 PM
• Address: 9 Shuaifuyuan Hutong, Wangfujing, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100005

📖 Related Guide: Beijing Subway Guide: Lines, Key Stops, Ticket Prices

9. Try a Donkey Burger at Wang Pang Zi

Image credits: Visit Beijing – 北京旅游网

Yes, you read that right. Donkey burgers are a beloved Beijing street snack, and Wang Pang Zi is the most famous spot in town. Try the Mixed Lean and Fat Donkey Meat Burger (9 CNY | ~S$1.69) — or if you’re feeling brave, the Donkey Penis Burger (12 CNY | ~S$2.26).

• Opening Hours: 10:30 AM – 10:30 PM
• Address: No. 80 Gulou West Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, China, 100035

10. Snack on Tanghulu (Candied Hawthorn)

Image credits: Beijing – 北京市人民政府

These shiny, sugar-coated skewers are Beijing’s signature street snack. While traditional tanghulu uses hawthorn, today’s vendors offer strawberries, grapes, kiwi, and more.

Best enjoyed on Wangfujing Snack Street, a foodie paradise in the heart of the city.

• Price: From 10 CNY per stick (~S$1.88)
• Opening Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM
• Address: Wangfujing, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100006

📖 Related Guide: If Beijing’s bolder flavours have you hooked, Chongqing turns the heat all the way up — our 15 things to do in Chongqing dives into hotpot, hill-stairs views, and the heart of Sichuan food culture.

Beijing Arts, Culture & Hutong Cafes

11. Discover Art at 798 Art District

Image credits: Visit Beijing – 北京旅游网

Once an industrial factory complex, the 798 Art District is now Beijing’s coolest art zone. Get inspired by modern installations, graffiti murals, galleries, and street cafés.

Look out for works by Chinese icons like Ai Weiwei and Zhang Dali, and don’t forget your camera — this place is Instagram gold.

• Opening Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM
• Address: 4 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100015

12. Experience a Traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony at The Lao She Tea House

Image credits: Klook

Step into a serene world of Chinese tea culture at Lao She Tea House. Opt for the Gongfu tea ceremony — a ritualistic way of making tea that originated from China’s Fujian province. Watch traditional performances, and browse charming tea accessories like tea pets.

• Price Range: 80 CNY – 580 CNY (~S$15.07 – S$109.23), depending on ceremony type
• Opening Hours: 9 AM – 9 PM
• Address: No. 13, Dongmianhua Hutong, Donhuamen Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

📖 Related Guide: The Ultimate Shanghai Disneyland Guide

13. Bonus: Stroll Around Houhai Lake & Drum Tower Area

Image credits: Expedia

This charming area of hutongs (narrow alleys), lakeside bars, and cafes is perfect for a sunset walk. Rent a bike, enjoy live music, or take a traditional rickshaw tour.

📍 Address: Near Di’anmen Outer Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

14. Café-Hop the Nanluoguxiang Hutong Scene

Image credits: @bjpurrfectour on Lemon8

Beijing’s third-wave cafe scene happened in the hutongs, and the courtyard alleys around Nanluoguxiang and the Drum Tower are where to find it. Forget chain coffee — these are tiny renovated-courtyard spots with seasonal menus, mismatched antique furniture, and beans roasted in-city.

🔥 Local pick: Yuangu Bendian at 34 Jiancheng Hutong (a short walk from Nanluoguxiang) is the creator-favourite — a courtyard cafe serving seasonal Chinese desserts on a menu that rotates with the 24 solar terms. Plan ~80–120 CNY (~S$15–S$23) per person.

⚠️ Heads up: Many hutong cafes are cash-light and lean hard on Alipay/WeChat Pay. Link your YouTrip card beforehand — you’ll thank yourself.

• Opening Hours: Yuangu Bendian: 12:30 PM – 9 PM daily (other cafes vary)
• Address (Yuangu Bendian): 34 Jianchang Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing

📖 Related Guide: For the city that traded emperors for pandas and tea houses, head west — our 20 things to do in Chengdu is the natural next stop for slow-travel China.

Beijing Nature & Outdoors

15. Hike The Scenic Fragrant Hills

Image credits: Beijing – 北京市人民政府

Escape the city buzz and hike through Fragrant Hills Park, especially during autumn (October–November) when the maple trees turn fiery red. Don’t miss the Cloud Dispelling Hall for the best views.

• Entry Fee: 15 CNY (~S$2.82)
• Opening Hours: 6 AM – 6 PM
• Address: No. 40, Maimai Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China, 100093

📖 Related Guide: Getting out to Fragrant Hills (or anywhere else in Beijing) without a car? Our DiDi in China guide walks through the English-mode app, payment, and how to flag rides outside the subway zone.

Beijing Markets & Nightlife

16. Treasure-Hunt at Panjiayuan Ghost Market

Image credits: Visit Beijing – 北京旅游网

Asia’s largest antique market and one of those Beijing experiences you can’t replicate anywhere else. Stalls sell everything from genuine Qing dynasty porcelain to Cultural Revolution memorabilia, calligraphy, jade, vinyl, vintage cameras, and a lot of “antiques” that were definitely made last week. Bargain hard — start at 30% of the asking price.

🕯️ The ghost market angle: The market gets its nickname from the pre-dawn weekend hours when sellers traditionally laid out goods by torchlight. Today, the proper ghost market runs on Wednesday and Friday nights (sometimes until midnight), with serious collectors arriving in the dark. Weekends, 4:30 AM onward, are the busiest for street stalls.

🔥 Pro tip: Bring small notes — most vendors prefer Alipay/WeChat Pay or cash, and the rural sellers don’t always have card readers.

• Entry Fee: Free
• Opening Hours: Weekdays 8:30 AM – 6 PM (indoor stores); Weekends 4:30 AM – 6 PM (full market including street stalls); Ghost market Wed/Fri evenings until ~midnight
• Address: Southwest of Panjiayuan Bridge, East Third Ring Road South, Chaoyang District, Beijing

📖 Related Guide: Bargaining at Panjiayuan means knowing what you’re spending — our SGD to CNY rate guide breaks down the best ways to convert (and what to skip).

Beijing Theme Parks & Family Fun

17. Bonus: Universal Studios Beijing

Image credits: Klook

Opened in 2021 and now Asia’s largest Universal park, Universal Studios Beijing is the easiest “win the family” stop on your itinerary. Seven themed lands, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Transformers Metrobase, Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness, Jurassic World Isla Nublar, Minion Land, Hollywood and WaterWorld.

🎢 Don’t miss: Decepticoaster (the Transformers launch coaster), Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and the nightly drone show over the lagoon.

🔥 Pro tip: Buy your standard ticket on Klook or KKday for SGD pricing and skip the Mandarin-only app. Add an Express Pass for peak weekends — Decepticoaster queues hit 3+ hours.

• Ticket Prices: Standard adult one-day 585 CNY (~S$110) off-peak, 660 CNY (~S$124) peak; quietest weekday slots drop to ~418 CNY (~S$79). Express Pass adds 390–900 CNY (~S$73–S$170).
• Tip: Booking 7+ days ahead can save up to 28%, but prices vary daily — check the official price calendar for your exact date!
• Opening Hours: Generally 10 AM – 8 PM (extended during 5th Anniversary summer + Halloween events)
• Address: No. 1 Universal Way, Tongzhou District, Beijing 101111

📖 Related Guide: Paying for tickets, food, and the inevitable Minion plushie? Our Alipay in China guide walks through linking your YouTrip card so every Universal tap goes through at the wholesale rate.

FAQs About Visiting Beijing

📖 Related Guide: Cash backup plan for the Great Wall or rural day trips? Our China ATM withdrawal guide covers which ATMs accept foreign cards and the YouTrip fee structure.

Bonus Travel Tips

• Pay with YouTrip via Alipay or WeChat Pay — link your YouTrip Mastercard to either app and you can tap to pay almost anywhere in Beijing. Under 200 CNY = 0% service fee; above 200 CNY = 3% (still cheaper than most banks’ 3.25%+ FX markup)
  
• Need cash? Withdraw CNY at any Beijing ATM with your YouTrip card — your first S$400 of withdrawals each calendar month is free, then 2% after (resets on the 1st). Skip the SG money changers — the in-country rate is better
  
• Book ahead. The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, popular Great Wall sections, the Summer Palace, and Universal Studios all sell out at peak slots — real-name advance booking is now standard

📖 Related Guide: Linking YouTrip to WeChat Pay specifically (the one most vendors prefer)? Our WeChat Pay for foreigners guide walks through setup, top-up, and the QR-scanning basics.

Forecast: 100% chance of dynasty FOMO and duck pancake comas.

Whether it’s a short cultural escape or a full week of adventure, Beijing is a must-visit for any 2026 travel plan. Bookmark this guide, grab your YouTrip card for zero FX fees on every CNY tap, and start planning your dream itinerary now.

Not a YouTrooper yet? Singapore’s go-to multi-currency wallet helps you save with great FX rates and zero fees on overseas spend. Skip the money changer and get a free YouTrip card + S$5 YouTrip credits with code <YTBLOG5>.

Then, head over to our YouTrip Perks page for exclusive offers and promotions — we promise you won’t regret it. Join our Telegram (@YouTripSG) and Community Group (@YouTripSquad) for travel tips, event invites, and more!

And now, you’re ready!