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Beijing is an incredible city full of rich history. With so many different things to see and do, it can be difficult to narrow it down. Still, in a city of countless wonderful experiences just waiting to be had, there are a few that stand out above the rest.
Day One: The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven
In the morning of your first day, visit Tiananmen Square and the Monument to the People’s Heroes, which commemorates those who were martyred during China’s 19th-20th century revolution. Gaining an understanding of the history and culture of the places I visit is very important to me, which is why I make an effort to seek out sites such as this: it gives me a greater understanding of where I am, and ties into my views on how to travel ethically.
After, take a brisk mile-long walk to the Forbidden City. This was one of the most impressive stops on our trip to China: the City seemed to go on and on without end. The art was absolutely incredible, and the detailed architecture on the imperial palace buildings left me in awe. Of course, the gardens were a marvel, too, something I had come to expect by the end of my trip to China! The cost to visit is reasonable, between $6-9 USD or ¥40-60 Chinese Yuan, depending on the time of year.
After the Forbidden City, drive down to the Temple of Heaven, a fascinating peek into ancient Chinese religion. Entering the Temple itself will set you back a mere $2 (¥15), but if you want to enter the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Circular Mound Altar, or Echo Wall, that will cost a bit extra, with the sum total coming up to $5 (¥34).
Day Two: The Great Wall and the Summer Palace
In the morning, get up bright and early to start your drive to the Great Wall. I visited the Juyongguan section, which was incredible, and not too crowded in the morning when we went. The fort at the base of the wall is wheelchair-accessible, but the steps up to the highest 13th tower are very uneven. If you decide to climb all the way up, you’ll definitely get a good workout! That being said, there are several other places which you could visit depending on your ability level and how many other tourists you’re willing to deal with. A day trip will cost about $7, or ¥45.
After you've soaked in the greatness of the Wall for a few hours, it's the perfect time to grab a quick bite to eat, either at the Wall or back in Beijing where you’ll have more options. After lunch, make your way to the Summer Palace in Beijing, an Imperial Garden and UNESCO world heritage site, to witness its gorgeous juxtaposition of thriving nature and traditional architecture. You can get access to the majority of the gardens for $4.50 (¥30), but if you want to enter, say, the Tower of Buddhist Incense, that will cost a few extra Yuan. (Even if you don’t want to go inside, I’d still recommend checking out the Tower...but I’m a huge fan of architecture, anyways!)
If you have a bit of extra time at the end of the day, take some time to check out the incredible Ming Tombs. At $19 (¥130), the price is a little steeper than the other stops on this tour if you want to visit all the open tombs, but if I had to pick just one, I’d suggest going with Changling tomb (a mere $7).
I could have spent an entire week in Beijing, but if you only have a couple of days here, then this mini itinerary will make sure you see all the best parts of this wonderful city. Have you visited here before? Is there anywhere else you would recommend making a stop at? Please comment down below!
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Hi, there! Call me Kris. I’m a world traveler, author and artist working to showcase the world's beauty and inspire you to find your confidence to see the world!
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