The 10 Best Attractions And Experiences In Beijing

China’s national symbolic square and one of the largest of its kind, Tiananmen Square (otherwise named the Gate of Heavenly Peace) holds a lot of more recent historical significance.

The balcony of Tiananmen Square is where Chairman Mao Zedong proclaimed the People’s Republic of China a mere 75-ish years ago, and it was also the site of mass protests and demonstrations against the Chinese Government in 1989.

It’s surrounded by prominent cultural buildings including the National Museum of China and the Great Hall of the People, and is conveniently located close to The Forbidden City making for an easy day of sightseeing.

Whilst entry is free, pre-booked reservations are required, and security checks at the entrance are meticulous so be prepared for your bag to be searched. 

Another UNESCO World Heritage site located in Beijing is the Temple of Heaven, a site of religious significance during the Ming and Qing dynasties where emperors would hold annual events praying for good harvest.

Buddhist temples are seen as a symbol of the relationship between heaven and earth, and the site itself is over 250 hectares containing 92 buildings, multiple gardens, pavilions, a bell tower and the hall of prayer. 

TRAVEL TIP: If you’re keen to avoid crowds in China, don’t visit during the first week of October (1st – 7th October), which is a national holiday also known as Golden Week whereby a large number of Chinese people go travelling around the country. 

At least a half day is required for Beijing’s Summer Palace, a lakeside retreat for China’s royalty located around 15 kilometres north-west of the city.

The Summer Palace is an impressive display of landscape design blended with traditional Chinese architecture, where you can spend hours wandering the preserved imperial gardens and palace grounds, taking a scenic boat ride across Kunming Lake, and exploring the beautiful pavilions for one of the more serene things to do in Beijing.

Lama Temple is not merely a temple, but a complex with deep roots in China's history. Initially constructed as a residence for Prince Yong, who later became Emperor Yongzheng, the site's purpose shifted dramatically after he ascended the throne and converted half of the temple complex into a monastery for Tibetan Buddhist monks.

The temple's design is a remarkable synthesis of Han Chinese imperial architecture and traditional Tibetan Buddhist artistry, creating a unique and visually striking environment where each hall and courtyard tells a part of its storied past.

Of all the Beijing attractions, this one promises a genuine sense of cultural immersion. You can watch monks in their daily rituals and see locals offering incense, their prayers rising with the smoke. It's an atmospheric experience that goes far beyond sightseeing.

Just remember to be mindful of the rules, like no photos inside the halls, and time your visit. You won't want to be rushing for the closing time -the serenity here is something to soak up, not rushed through.

Book a guided tour to discover a traditional Beijing way of life through narrow alleyways and winding lanes, also known as hutongs.

These alleys were created due to the construction of traditional square courtyard homes, and many of the remaining hutongs and courtyards are now preserved for cultural and tourism purposes.

One of the most notable hutongs is Nanluoguxiang with charming alleys and the chance to savour some street food delicacies at the Nanluoguxiang night market.

While admiring the intricate architecture within these important buildings, you can also experience a tea ceremony within some courtyards where teahouses have been restored. 

Nature-lovers can get excited, with plenty of greenery around the central city for when you're looking for things to do in Beijing.

Escape the bustle of the city with a visit to Beihai Park and Jingshan Park, with Beihai Park being one of the largest and best-preserved serene gardens in China, while Jingshan offers magnificent views of the Forbidden City.  

You’ve ticked off the major historical attractions – what’s next? Check out the art galleries and cafes lining the 798 Art Zone in Dashanzi, which are uniquely housed in decommissioned military factory buildings including the UCCA Centre for Contemporary Arts, the core venue for Beijing Design Week and Beijing Queer Film Festival annually.

Olympics enthusiasts can check out the National Stadium (otherwise known as the Bird’s Nest), the iconic main venue of the 2008 Summer Olympics and an architectural marvel, as well as the Water Cube.

Wangfujin Street, located in central Beijing, is a hub for shopping, night markets and delicious street food along Wangfujing snack street. You’ll find everything from high-end department stores to regular malls, easily reached by subway. End the night in one of the many bars in Sanlitun, Beijing’s main nightlife district with bars and clubs popular amongst locals and foreigners alike! 

A trip to Beijing wouldn’t be complete without trying famous Peking Duck – a golden roasted duck with thin crispy skin and juicy tender flesh, commonly eaten with condiments such as sweet bean sauce, sliced cucumber and spring onions, as well as steamed thin pancakes which can be used to wrap the tasty elements altogether for a mouth-watering flavour explosion.

Try restaurants Quanjude and Bianyifang which specialise in Peking Duck, the former having been established during the Qing dynasty in the mid 1800s!

Not ready to eat Peking Duck? Popular Chinese staples such as dumplings and hotpot are a popular alternative. Chinese dumplings are usually either fried, boiled or steamed, with an abundance of filling options to choose from such as pork with garlic leaf, cabbage, mushroom, seafood and more!

And if you think you can handle your spice, try a Chinese hotpot – a traditional dish made iconic because everything is cooked right in front of you, at your table! Hot pot consists of a broth (spicy, non-spicy, or both), which is kept simmering in the pot while all raw ingredients of your choosing are gradually added into the broth, dipped into a mix of tasty sauces and enjoyed slowly.

Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October) are typically the most pleasant seasons to explore Beijing, due to the milder climates and clearer skies. This does mean they’re busier, however if you avoid national holidays and visit attractions early in the morning, they can be ideal times of year to visit.

If you don’t mind the crowds, visiting during Chinese New Year, usually celebrated in February, is a great way to deeper immerse yourself into Chinese culture while experiencing a spectacular festival.

Flying into Beijing Capital International Airport is easy with many flight options available from Australia. From there, the high-speed bullet train network across China makes most cities extremely accessible.

Whilst in Beijing city, the public subway network is extensive, great value for money and convenient with clean, modern trains running every few minutes between metro stations. If you’d prefer to travel by car, download the DiDi app (which operates like Uber) which is also extremely affordable and safe, or hire one of the many public city bikes to get around. 

China is mostly cashless, preferring to use digital forms of payment (card is not always accepted either). It is highly recommended to download and set up the payment app Alipay before you arrive, including completing the ID verification and linking your bank cards to the app to make payments smoother. Vendors will still accept cash so you can keep that as a back-up should you have any issues paying on Alipay.

You can purchase tickets to most attractions by booking them online through verified providers prior to arriving at the gate (with some attractions requiring pre-booking regardless) and this is a much easier way to avoid queues at the ticket offices and ensure you don’t miss out on preferred entry times. Booking a day tour can be an easy way of acquiring tickets during busy season and is a great idea for a first visit to the city.

Entrance to tourist attractions in China are linked to your identification – and for foreign travellers this would be your passport. You will need to provide your passport details when booking tickets and day tours, and subsequently your passport will be scanned and act as your ticket to permit entry. This means you should carry your passport with you at all times.

Finally, be sure to check opening times and days for attractions you want to visit. Many museums, for example, are closed on Mondays (including the National Museum). Some political sites are also occasionally closed to the public in preparation for events. 

It’s always important to travel with an open mind, and this can be especially true when immersing yourself in a unique culture where general etiquette can differ greatly. For example, spitting, slurping and squat toilets are the norm in China, so as long as you’re open to embracing cultural differences, you will enjoy your time!

Tipping is not customary in China, service workers are usually grateful for a “thank you” or “xie xie”, and leaving positive online reviews are also very welcome.

China also has one of the lowest crime rates in the world due to extensive surveillance so it’s considered a safe country to visit. The roads can seem hectic at first (especially when crossing them) but follow a local’s lead and you’ll pick up the organised chaos in no time – perhaps even enjoy it!