DAY 01
Imperial Beijing
Explore the Forbidden City with advance entry arrangements, then leave room for the surrounding historic centre. Keep the afternoon flexible rather than adding another large museum.
Forbidden City
Overnight · Beijing← All journeys
SAMPLE JOURNEY / 4 DAYS
Beijing & the Summer Palace in 4 Days.
Keep the classic landmarks and add a full day for lakeside palace gardens.
Photo: xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Cropped to fit
AT A GLANCE
Beijing
Keep the classic landmarks and add a full day for lakeside palace gardens.
Ask about this routeTHE ITINERARY
Day by day.
DAY 02
A day on the Great Wall
Travel out to Mutianyu for a walk along the restored wall. Choose a section and ascent suited to your mobility, with time for stops before returning to Beijing.
Mutianyu Great Wall
Overnight · Beijing
DAY 03
Temple grounds and old lanes
Visit the Temple of Heaven and continue to the lanes around Shichahai. This final day balances monumental architecture with everyday neighbourhood life.
Temple of Heaven Shichahai hutongs
Overnight · Beijing
DAY 04
The Summer Palace at your pace
Spend the day exploring the Summer Palace, choosing a manageable walk beside Kunming Lake and through its landscaped grounds. Allow a generous airport or station transfer window if leaving today.
Summer Palace
Overnight · Beijing
Four sightseeing days; arrange arrival the evening before. The last day can be shortened around onward travel.
IMAGES FROM THE ROUTE