5 best things to do in Beijing
The essentials of Beijing with the booking notes that actually matter — which tickets sell out, which slots are quietest, which formats reward the advance purchase. Every booking happens with the provider you choose.
Browse all Beijing activities
Attractions, tours, day trips and transport passes from major providers — instant mobile tickets.
The Beijing shortlist
- Great Wall at Mutianyu — the restored section with the cable car and the toboggan down.
- Forbidden City — closed Mondays; book ahead — the 80,000/day cap is real.
- Temple of Heaven park — the emperors’ prayer hall, ringed by morning tai-chi.
- Summer Palace & Kunming Lake — the lakeside imperial retreat; boat season in summer.
- Peking-duck dinner — the original roast-duck houses; reserve the day before.
Flying in, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) serves the city — attraction districts sit 30–60 minutes away at typical city speeds.
Compare Beijing activity providers
- Klook — Beijing activities — the widest catalogue, instant QR tickets, strong on transport passes and day trips.
- KKday — Beijing experiences — local-led formats and small-group tours.
- Tiqets — museums and landmarks with instant mobile entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Beijing?
Great Wall at Mutianyu — the restored section with the cable car and the toboggan down. Start there, then build the itinerary around it.
Do I need to book Beijing attractions in advance?
The headline attractions reward advance booking — timed-entry systems and quota tickets mean walk-up availability is worst exactly when you want to visit. Everything on this page links to providers showing live availability.
How many days do you need in Beijing?
Three to four days covers the shortlist above at a humane pace for a first visit; add days for the day-trip formats rather than compressing the city itself.
Is a city pass worth it in Beijing?
Run the arithmetic honestly: a pass wins when you would genuinely visit three-plus ticketed attractions in its window. Our provider links show pass options side by side with single tickets — compare before committing.