From the Great Wall to hidden hutongs — here are the 10 best things to do in Beijing for your 2025 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, it’s one of Asia’s most dynamic cities to explore. Check out our shortlist of 10 best things to do in Beijing below!
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.
💜 Stay Up To Date:
– YouTrip x KKday Travel deals 2025
– 15 Best Things To Do In Taipei (2025): Food, Attractions, Activities
– International Money Transfer Guide: YouTrip vs Bank Transfers
Quick Overview: Top Things To Do in Beijing by Category
🏯 Historical & Cultural Icons
- Walk the Great Wall of China
- Explore the Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
- Visit the Marco Polo Bridge
🍴 Must-Try Beijing Food
- Peking Duck at Quanjude
- Donkey Burgers at Wang Pang Zi
- Tanghulu Street Snack
🎨 Arts & Culture
- Wander through the 798 Art District
- Attend a Chinese Tea Ceremony at Lao She Teahouse
- Houhai Lake & Hutongs (Bonus)
🌳 Nature & Outdoors
- Hike the Fragrant Hills Park
🗺️ What to Do in Beijing for 3 Days
Here’s a suggested itinerary for first-timers:
Day 1: Forbidden City → Jingshan Park or Beihai Park → Peking Duck at Quanjude
Day 2: Great Wall (Mutianyu or Jinshanling) → Marco Polo Bridge → Wangfujing Snack Street → Wang Pang Zi
Day 3: Chinese tea ceremony at Lao She Teahouse → Houhai Lake → Explore Hutongs → Tea at Lao She Teahouse
🏯 Historical & Cultural Icons in Beijing:
1. Walk The Great Wall Of China

Image credits: China Highlights
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 2025:
- 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 | Entrance Fee |
---|---|
Badaling | 🎟️ Apr – Oct: 40 CNY (~S$7.20) 🎟️ Nov – March: 35 CNY (~S$6.30) |
Mutianyu | 🎟️ 40 CNY (~S$7.20) |
Juyongguan | 🎟️ Apr – Oct: 45 CNY (~S$8.10) 🎟️ Nov – March: 40 CNY (~S$7.20) |
Jinshanling | 🎟️ Apr – Oct: 65 CNY (~S$11.69) 🎟️ Nov – March: 55 CNY (~S$9.89) |
Simtai | 🎟️ 40 CNY (~S$7.20) |
Gubeikou | 🎟️25 CNY (~S$4.50) |
Huanghuacheng | 🎟️ 45 CNY (~S$8.10) |
Jiankou | Free |
Operating Hours: 9 AM – 4:30 PM
Address: Huairou District, China, 101406
10 Best Things To Do In Beijing (2025 Edition): Check out this guide for how to use WeChat Pay in China + How to add your YouTrip card for the best CNY rates
2. Explore The Forbidden City (Palace Museum)

Image credits: Odyssey Traveller
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.
Entry Fee: Peak Season – 60 CNY (~S$10.79), Off Season – 40 CNY (~S$7.20)
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: 4 Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng, Beijing 100009
10 Best Things To Do In Beijing (2025 Edition): Here’s everything you need to know about how to use Alipay in China + How to add your YouTrip card for the best CNY rates
3. Visit The Marco Polo Bridge

Image credits: Viator
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$3.60)
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Address: No. 77, South Street, Lugouqiao, Fengtai District, Beijing 100165
10 Best Things To Do In Beijing (2025 Edition): Can YouTrip be used in China? Find out here
🍴 What to Eat in Beijing:
4. Feast On Authentic Peking Duck at Quanjude

Image credits: China Highlights
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
10 Best Things To Do In Beijing (2025 Edition): Discover 20 Best Things To Do In Chengdu, China (2025)
5. Try a Donkey Burger at Wang Pang Zi

Image credits: The Food Gallery
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$1.62) — or if you’re feeling brave, the Donkey Penis Burger (12 CNY | ~S$2.16).
Opening Hours: 10:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Address: No. 80 Gulou West Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, China, 100035
10 Best Things To Do In Beijing (2025 Edition): Here are the Best Things To Do In Guangzhou, China
6. Snack on Tanghulu (Candied Hawthorn)

Image credits: On The Gas
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$1.80)
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM
Address: Wangfujing, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100006
Best Things 10 Best Things To Do In Beijing (2025 Edition): Here are 31 Things To Do In Shanghai 2025: Top Attractions & Local Food
🎨 Beijing Arts & Culture:
7. Discover Art at 798 Art District

Image credits: Museum of Wander
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: Wangfujing, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100006
10 Best Things To Do In Beijing (2025 Edition): Check out this Singapore Public Holiday 2026 Guide for How To Turn 11 Holidays Into 39 Vacation Days
8. Experience a Traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony at The Lao She Tea House

Image credits: Attraction
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$14.39 – S$104.34), depending on ceremony type
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 9 PM
Address: No.13, Dongmianhua Hutong, Donhuamen Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
10 Best Things To Do In Beijing (2025 Edition): Discover 15 Best Things To Do In Taipei (2025): Food, Attractions, Activities
9. Bonus: Stroll Around Houhai Lake & Drum Tower Area

Image credits: Wild Great Wall Adventure
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
10 Best Things To Do In Beijing (2025 Edition): Discover 11 Best Dim Sum JB Spots To Try In 2025
🌳 Beijing Nature & Outdoors:
10. Hike The Scenic Fragrant Hills

Image credits: TripAdvisor
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$2.70)
Opening Hours: 6 AM – 6 PM
Address: No. 40, Maimai Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China, 100093
10 Best Things To Do In Beijing (2025 Edition): Heading to Kyoto? Here are 27 Best Things To Do In Kyoto (2025): Temples, Hidden Gems & Day Trips
🙋♀️ FAQs About Visiting Beijing
Q: Is there anything fun to do in Beijing?
A: Yes! From ancient landmarks to modern art zones and foodie streets, Beijing has something for every type of traveller.
Q: Is Beijing worth visiting for tourists?
A: Definitely. It’s a cultural powerhouse with world-famous heritage sites, stunning cuisine, and a growing modern arts and entertainment scene.
Q: Is 7 days too long in Beijing?
A: Not really. If you want to explore both the historical sites and take day trips (like to the Great Wall or Hike through the Fragrant Hills Park), 7 days is ideal. But 3–5 days works well for a highlights trip.
Q: What can I do in Beijing in 3 days?
A: See the Forbidden City, Great Wall, 798 Art District, and squeeze in local eats like Peking duck and tanghulu. Check our sample 3-day itinerary above!
🧳 Bonus Travel Tips:
- Save with the best CNY rates and zero FX fees with a YouTrip card when spending in Beijing
- Use Alipay or WeChat Pay with your YouTrip card
- Book early for the Forbidden City, train tickets, and other popular attractions
Start planning your Beijing adventure!

Whether it’s a short cultural escape or a full week of adventure, Beijing is a must-visit for any 2025 travel plan. Bookmark this guide, grab your YouTrip card for the best CNY rates, 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. 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!
Related Articles
20 Best Things To Do In Chengdu, China (2025)
Best Things To Do In Guangzhou, China 2023
31 Things To Do In Shanghai 2025: Top Attractions & Local Food

