Beijing, where the empire left its walls intact
China's capital in three full days: the Forbidden City, the Great Wall at Mutianyu and the hutong lanes around the Drum Tower.
The short answer
Plan for three full days: two for the imperial city, one for the Great Wall. The Forbidden City costs ¥60 (about £6.50) in peak season, closes on Mondays and sells out roughly a week ahead. Mutianyu is the best section for a first visit, and it is quietest before 09:30 or after 14:00.
- Three full days: two in the city, one on the Wall.
- Forbidden City ¥60 Apr–Oct, ¥40 Nov–Mar; closed Mondays, book a week ahead.
- Metro Line 1 stops at Tian'anmen East, the nearest gate to the palace.
- High-speed rail: 30 min to Tianjin, 4h 30m to Shanghai and Xi'an.
- Most UK visitors can use the 240-hour visa-free transit with an onward ticket.
A city built on a line
Beijing has been a capital for around 800 years, and the emperors left it aligned on one north–south axis. Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park and the Bell and Drum Towers all sit on that line, so the centre is easy to walk. The 2nd Ring Road follows the demolished city wall, which keeps the old grid legible.
Two trips in one
Inside the ring road you get the set pieces: the Forbidden City's 980 buildings, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace. Forty minutes north the mountains take over, and the Great Wall runs across them; the sections within day-trip distance of Beijing are both the best restored and the easiest to reach by road.
Timing and temperatures
Aim for spring or autumn. April and May sit near 20°C (68°F) with clear skies, and September and October are similar but drier. July and August climb past 32°C (90°F) with humidity, while January averages a high of 2°C (36°F). Winter also brings the worst air quality of the year.
The Forbidden City
Enter at the Meridian Gate when it opens at 08:30; ¥60 in peak season, closed Mondays, tickets gone about a week ahead.
The Great Wall at Mutianyu
Restored Ming ramparts with a cable car up and a toboggan down (¥45 entry, ¥140 return cable car). Arrive before 09:30.
Temple of Heaven
Where the emperor prayed at the winter solstice. Go at 07:00 for the tai chi in the park; the ¥34 through-ticket covers the halls.
Hutongs by the Drum Tower
Grey-brick lanes around Shichahai, best walked late afternoon. Metro Line 8 stops at Shichahai.
Peking duck
Siji Minfu and Dadong carve at the table; expect ¥168–268 for a whole duck and book two days ahead.
Practical
| Airport codes | PEK (Capital) and PKX (Daxing) |
|---|---|
| Direct flights from the UK | Daily non-stop from Heathrow, about 10–11 hours |
| High-speed rail | 4h 30m to Shanghai and Xi'an; 30 min to Tianjin |
| Days needed | 3 full days |
| Best months | April–May and September–October |
| Visa note | UK passports: visa-free up to 30 days to 31 Dec 2026 |
| Population | 21.9 million (Beijing Municipality) |
| Metro | 27 lines; fares ¥3–10 |
| Great Wall | Mutianyu ¥45 entry; Badaling ¥40; Jinshanling ¥65 |
Getting there from the UK
Beijing Capital (PEK) and Beijing Daxing (PKX) both take international flights, and Heathrow has daily non-stop services of about 10 to 11 hours. Both airports connect to the metro; the Airport Express from PEK to Dongzhimen costs ¥25.
Metro Line 1 runs under Chang'an Avenue to Tian'anmen East for the Forbidden City, Line 2 loops the old wall and Line 8 reaches the Olympic Park. Fares are ¥3–10.
How many days
Three full days. Day one for Tian'anmen, the Forbidden City and Jingshan; day two for Mutianyu; day three for the Temple of Heaven, the hutongs and a duck dinner. A fourth day allows the Summer Palace or the Yungang Grottoes at Datong by train.
Worth knowing if you're travelling from the UK
Beijing is eight hours ahead of GMT, so most UK arrivals lose the first day. Book Forbidden City tickets on the official mini-program with your passport number before you fly — the site is in Chinese and sells out. British plugs need a type A or I adaptor, and tap water is not drinkable.