Beijing Classic 5-Day Itinerary

Locals' Recommended 5-Day 4-Night Highlights Tour | Dual Versions for Families & Art Lovers! Day 1️⃣: Historical Journey at the Imperial City Tiananmen Square: Morning flag-raising (book in advance) 🇨🇳 Chairman Mao Memorial Hall: Pay respects (closed Mondays) The Palace Museum: Central axis + Six Eastern/Western Palaces, less crowded after 4pm 📸 Jingshan Park: Panoramic Forbidden City view at sunset 🍜 Food Rec: Siji Minfu Roast Duck (Forbidden City view seats) Day 2️⃣: Great Wall + Olympic Landmarks Mutianyu Great Wall: Less crowded, cable car up + toboggan down (better than Badaling) Bird's Nest/Water Cube: Nighttime light show photos 🌃 🍜 Food Rec: Gui Street Little White Hat Tripe Day 3️⃣: Imperial Gardens + Campus Strolls Summer Palace: Kunming Lake boating + painted corridor Old Summer Palace: Must-see Western-style ruins Tsinghua/Peking University: Campus gate photos 📚 🍜 Food Rec: Huguo Temple Snacks (pea cake, rolling donkey) Day 4️⃣: Blessings + Hutong Life Temple of Heaven: Morning echo wall mystery, Hall of Prayer photos Lama Temple: Popular for career blessings 🙏 Drum Tower Street: Old Beijing charm, perfect for street photos Yandai Xiejie: More authentic than Nanluoguxiang! Antiques + crafts Shichahai: Sunset paddle boat rides 🍜 Food Rec: - Drum Tower: Yaoji Chao Gan (must-try liver stew with buns) Day 5️⃣: Free Time + Departure (version options) 🎨 Artsy Version: 798 Art Zone deep dive 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Version: China Science & Technology Museum 🚗 Departure: Arrive at airport/station 2 hours early ✔ Book Forbidden City/Great Wall tickets 7 days in advance!