China's capital grew around the Ming and Qing imperial city: the Forbidden City sits on a north-south Central Axis (UNESCO, 2024) that runs from Yongdingmen past Tiananmen and Jingshan to the Drum and Bell Towers, ringed by temples, lakes and the hutong lanes of the old walled city inside today's Second Ring Road. Residents start the day with tai chi and douzhi breakfasts, gather by Houhai and in the parks, and eat roast duck, copper-pot mutton hotpot and zhajiangmian; east of the old city, Sanlitun and the CBD hold the bars and new restaurants.
Must-see
The sights to fit in even on a short trip.
- 01Palace Museum (Forbidden City)
- 02Tiananmen Square
- 03Temple of Heaven
- 04Summer Palace
- 05Drum and Bell Towers
- 06Jingshan Park
- 07National Museum of China
- 08Lama Temple (Yonghegong)
- 09Beihai Park
History & museums 71
- Five Pagoda Temple (Zhenjue Temple)
- Niujie Mosque
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Nantang, South Church)
- Fahai Temple
- Lama Temple (Yonghegong)
- Olympic Forest Park
- Temple of Azure Clouds (Biyun Temple)
- Big Bell Temple (Dazhongsi Ancient Bell Museum)
- China National Botanical Garden
- Dajue Temple
- Fayuan Temple
- Jingshan Park
- Palace Museum (Forbidden City)
- St Joseph's Church (Dongtang)
- Summer Palace
- Temple of Heaven
- 798 Art District
- Beihai Park
- Beijing Ancient Observatory
- Confucius Temple and Guozijian (Imperial College)
- Ditan Park (Temple of Earth)
- Dongyue Temple (Beijing Folk Customs Museum)
- Fragrant Hills Park (Xiangshan)
- Jietai Temple (Ordination Altar Temple)
- Miaoying Temple (White Dagoba)
- National Stadium (Bird's Nest) and Olympic Green
- Temple of Ancient Monarchs
- Tianning Temple Pagoda
- Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall
- Imperial Ancestral Temple (Taimiao, Working People's Cultural Palace)
- National Art Museum of China (NAMOC)
- Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan)
- Prince Gong Mansion
- Shichahai Lakes and Silver Ingot Bridge
- Tiananmen Square
- Wanning Bridge (Houmen Bridge)
- Wanshou Temple (Beijing Art Museum)
- Xishiku Church (Beitang, Church of the Saviour)
- Zhihua Temple
- Badachu Park (Eight Great Sites)
- Capital Museum
- China National Film Museum
- Guangji Temple
- Imperial Archives (Huangshicheng)
- Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution
- National Museum of China
- Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wofo Temple)
- Tiananmen Gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace)
- Wanping Fortress and War of Resistance Museum
- White Cloud Temple (Baiyun Guan)
- Zhengyangmen (Qianmen) Gate and Arrow Tower
- Guo Moruo Memorial Hall
- Lugou (Marco Polo) Bridge
- Mei Lanfang Memorial Hall
- Poly Art Museum
- China Numismatic Museum
- Xiannongtan (Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum)
- Beijing Lu Xun Museum and Former Residence
- National Natural History Museum of China
- Lao She Memorial Hall (Former Residence)
- Chairman Mao Memorial Hall
- Drum and Bell Towers
- Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling
- Grand Canal and Randeng Pagoda, Tongzhou
- Grand Canal Museum of Beijing (Capital Museum East)
- Liulichang Culture Street
- Shougang Park (former Capital Steel works)
- Tanzhe Temple
- Wansong Laoren Pagoda
- Yongdingmen Gate
- Zhongshan Park (Altar of Land and Grain)
Where to eat 101
- Baiji Niangao (Niujie Muslim Supermarket)
- Dahua Jianbing
- Lanxiangyuan (Qinghai Tower)
- Menkuang Hutong Bainian Luzhu (Xinjiekou)
- Michael's German Bakery
- Ningxia Hotel Restaurant
- Tianxingju (Xianyukou)
- Wuyutai Tea (Yonghegong)
- Yibin Guesthouse (Yibin)
- Beef & Dumplings (Shunyuan Street)
- Fuhuazhai Pastry Shop (Huguosi Street)
- Maison Flo
- Jingyi (Liulichang East Street)
- Mingyuan Restaurant
- Schindler's Tankstelle
- Turkish Feast (Xinyuanli)
- Yang Da Ye Hot Pot (Bad Ass Lamb Hot Pot)
- Man Heng Ji (Ping'anli)
- Pang Mei Noodles (Xiang'er Hutong)
- Sheng Yong Xing (Sanlitun)
- Chenji Luzhu Xiaochang (Langfang Ertiao)
- Jubaoyuan (Niujie flagship)
- Nanmen Shuanrou (Temple of Heaven flagship)
- The Beijing Kitchen (SKP)
- Xian Lao Man (Andingmen Inner Street)
- Yu Hua Tai (Yumin Road)
- Baoyuan Dumplings (Maizidian)
- Bianyifang (Xianyukou)
- King's Joy
- Mr. Shi's Dumplings (Baochao Hutong)
- Q Mex (Sanlitun)
- Siji Minfu (Forbidden City branch)
- Tong He Ju (Yuetan South Street)
- Voyage Coffee (Yuhe, Nanluoguxiang)
- Xin Rong Ji (Xinyuan South Road)
- Yin San Douzhi
- Gastro Esthetics DaDong (Nanxincang)
- Jin Ding Xuan (Ditan, 24 hours)
- Metal Hands (Wudaoying Hutong)
- Qiantang Garden (Shuangyushu North Road)
- Xin Chuan Ban
- Yunteng Shifu (Yunnan Provincial Office Restaurant)
- Quanjude (Hepingmen)
- Wolfgang's Steakhouse (Gongti North Road)
- Café Zarah
- Huajia Yiyuan (Gui Jie courtyard)
- Kaorou Ji (Yinding Bridge)
- Liqun Roast Duck
- Yaoji Chaogan (Gulou)
- Anhui Tower Chinese Restaurant
- Beijing Chongqing Hotel Restaurant
- Hongbinlou
- Lao Ciqikou Douzhi (Temple of Heaven North Gate)
- Huguosi Snacks (Huguosi Street flagship)
- Nailao Wei (Niujie main store)
- Tan Family Cuisine (Beijing Hotel)
- Baodu Feng (Langfang Ertiao)
- 1949 - Duck de Chine
- Amico BJ
- Bamin Shifu (Fujian Provincial Office Restaurant)
- Cai Yi Xuan
- Chao Shang Chao (CP Center)
- Donglaishun (Beijing APM flagship)
- Fangshan (Beihai Park)
- Fu Man Yuan (Xinyuanli)
- Fu3 Coffee (Xixinglong Street)
- Furong
- Guizhou Mansion Hall (Guizhou Provincial Office Restaurant)
- Haiwanju (Zengguang Road flagship)
- Heyan Roubing (Xila Hutong)
- Hong 0871
- Hong Fan Qie (Yuyuantan South Road)
- Huai Xiang Guo Se
- Huaiyang Fu (Andingmenwai)
- Jing Hua Lou (Yayuncun)
- Jingchu Weidao (Hubei Tower)
- Jingji
- La Chansonnière
- La Roba
- Lamdre
- Lao Chuan Ban (Sichuan Provincial Office Restaurant)
- Les Morilles
- Lu Style (Anding Road)
- Man Fu Lou (Landao Building)
- Meng Du Hui
- Mio
- Moscow Restaurant (Lao Mo)
- No. 69 Fangzhuanchang Zhajiangmian
- Rong Pao
- Shanghai Cuisine
- Sugar Cafe (Shichahai)
- The Georg
- The House of Dynasties
- TRB Hutong
- Xiang Bin Xuan (Huayuan Road)
- Xin Rong Ji (Jinrong Street)
- Yan Garden by Chef Fei
- Yi Tiao Long (Taijichang)
- Yu De Fu
- Yuxiangyuan (Henan Plaza)
- Zhejiang Shifu (Zhejiang Tower)
Night out 39
- Zhengyici Theatre
- Chaoyang Theatre (acrobatics)
- MO Bar (Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing)
- Paddy O'Shea's
- Forbidden City Concert Hall
- National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA)
- School Bar
- Beersmith Gastropub (Hotel Jen)
- The Tiki Bungalow
- The Local (Sanlitun)
- Capital Theatre (Beijing People's Art Theatre)
- Mei Lanfang Grand Theatre
- Poly Theatre
- Chang'an Grand Theatre
- Bar Long Fong (Park Plaza Wangfujing)
- Blue Note Beijing
- Celestial
- DDC (Dusk Dawn Club)
- Deyunshe Tianqiao Theatre
- Fulang Livehouse
- Golden Weasel
- Great Leap Brewing #6 (Doujiao Hutong)
- Hidden House
- Huguang Guild Hall
- Jiangjinjiu · OMNI SPACE
- Jing-A Taproom (Kerry Centre)
- Liyuan Theatre (Qianmen Jianguo Hotel)
- Loma
- Luxe Lounge
- Mao Mao Chong
- Modernista
- MOONEE
- Overtone Taproom (Beixinqiao)
- Slow Boat Brewpub (Sanlitun)
- Tangled
- The Factory (Gulou)
- TIAO (Mandarin Oriental Qianmen)
- Wild Kite Brewpub (Huayuan Hutong)
- Yue Space
Locals only 44
- China Bookstore (Liulichang)
- Majuyuan Hat Shop
- Zhang Yiyuan Tea (Dashilar main store)
- Neiliansheng (Dashilar flagship)
- Zhuanta Hutong
- Lianhuachi (Lotus Pond) Park
- Yangmeizhu Xiejie
- Ritan Park
- Sanyuanli Market
- Longtan Lake Park
- Wudaoying Hutong
- Ming City Wall Relics Park
- Tuanjiehu Park
- Dongjiaominxiang (Legation Quarter lane)
- Liangma River promenade
- Ruifuxiang Silk Store (Dashilar)
- Beijing Daoxiangcun No. 0 Store
- Chaoyang Park
- China Bookstore at Yanchilou (Di'anmen)
- Daguanlou Cinema
- Fangjia Hutong
- Gongjian Hutong
- Ju'er Hutong
- Lanman Hutong
- Liuyin Park
- Maliandao Tea Street
- Mao'er Hutong
- PageOne (Beijing Fun, Qianmen)
- Panjiayuan Antique Market
- Qingnianhu Park
- Rendinghu Park
- Rongbaozhai
- Sanlian Taofen Bookstore (Meishuguan HQ)
- Shichahai Ice Rink (winter)
- Shijia Hutong
- Shijia Hutong Museum
- Taoranting Park
- Tongrentang Pharmacy (Dashilar)
- Watchtower Library (Outer City Southeast Corner Tower)
- Wenyu River Park
- Yinding Bridge
- Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Park (Tucheng)
- Yuyuantan Park
- Zizhuyuan (Purple Bamboo) Park
Walking routes 11
- 01Central Axis north: Jingshan to the Drum and Bell TowersWalk the northern half of the Beijing Central Axis, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024: climb Jingshan for the view back over the palace roofs, then follow the axis north over the Yuan-dynasty Wanning Bridge to the Drum and Bell Towers at its northern end.
- 02Shichahai lakes loop: Yinding Bridge, Yandai Xiejie and HouhaiA loop round Qianhai and Houhai, the lakes where old Beijing still strolls, fishes and swims: the Yinding Bridge view, the slanting Yandai Xiejie street, quiet temple lanes on the north shore and the Qing princely mansion on the south side.
- 03Nanluoguxiang side hutongs to the Lama TempleFrom the hutongs either side of Nanluoguxiang, with their Qing-era courtyard gates, east to Fangjia Hutong and Guozijian Street (Confucius Temple and Imperial College), then the Lama Temple and the cafe lane of Wudaoying.
- 04Dongsi hutongs: Zhihua Temple to Dongsi SitiaoA low-key walk through the planned Yuan-era hutong grid of Dongsi: a black-tiled Ming temple, the Lumicang granary lane, Shijia Hutong and its museum, and the Dongsi Hutong Museum in a three-courtyard house.
- 05Qianmen, Dashilar and Yangmeizhu Xiejie to LiulichangFrom Zhengyangmen gate on the Central Axis down Qianmen Street, west through Dashilar's time-honoured shops, along the slanting Yangmeizhu Xiejie of small studios and cafes, to the bookshops and calligraphy-paper stores of Liulichang.
- 06Temple of Heaven at 7 am: east gate to Circular MoundEnter by the east gate into Beijing's best morning-exercise scene, then follow the long corridor where card players and singers gather to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, and walk the axis south over the Danbi Bridge to the Echo Wall and the Circular Mound Altar.
- 07Beihai to Jingshan at sunsetEnter the old imperial lake garden of Beihai by its north gate, walk the quiet north and east shores past the Five-Dragon Pavilions and the Nine-Dragon Wall, cross to the White Dagoba on Jade Flower Island, then climb Jingshan for the sunset view.
- 08Summer Palace: East Palace Gate, Long Corridor and Seventeen-Arch BridgeThe classic route through the Qing imperial garden: palace halls by the East Palace Gate, the painted Long Corridor along Kunming Lake, the climb up Longevity Hill to the Tower of Buddhist Incense, then a boat from the Marble Boat to South Lake Island and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge.
- 09Niujie and Fayuan Temple: the Hui quarter and Xuannan hutongsThrough Beijing's largest Muslim district and the old Xuannan quarter: Baoguo Temple, Changchun Temple, the halal food street of Niujie (yangrou paomo, beef noodles, sesame breads), the Niujie Mosque, the 1,380-year-old Fayuan Temple and Lanman Hutong.
- 10798 Art Zone and 751 D-ParkA short stroll, mostly spent indoors, through the 1950s electronics factories turned into Beijing's main contemporary art district: UCCA, galleries, design shops and cafes along 797 and 798 Roads, ending at the 751 D-Park design plaza in a former industrial site.
- 11Ming City Wall Relics Park to the Ancient ObservatoryWalk the longest surviving stretch of Beijing's Ming inner city wall (built 1419), about 1.5 km from Chongwenmen to the Southeast Corner Tower at Dongbianmen, then north along the second ring road to the Ming-Qing astronomical instruments on the Jianguomen observatory platform.