How to see the best of Beijing in one day – your one day schedule is within, and strictly no tours!

Without ever so much as a whiff of bias, Beijing for me is one of the most amazing cities in the world. It is a place of centuries old houses refurbished into Starbucks and MacDonald’s chains, of ancient monuments and glass skyscrapers vying for the skyline, and of car choked highways diverted by immense palaces – I could be setting the scene for a fantasy novel here. With all the beauty, history and culture there is to see, a visit to Beijing is also to experience the real China in synopsis. Here’s how to experience the best of Beijing in one day.

7:00 AM: The Great Wall of China

To beat the crowds, get an early start – the Great Wall opens at 7 am. Take a subway to Dongzhimen Station then take the 916 express bus to the Great Wall’s Mutianyu entrance. While there are a number of restored stretches of the Great Wall, Mutianyu is one of the most pristine, and is also less frequented by tourists. The whole of the Mutianyu stretch is 2.2 km, made up of many steep climbs. It’s a stunning hike if you’re up for it, but there’s also a convenient chairlift that will get you to to a good vantage point to simply take it all in. And when you’re ready to come down again, as crazy as it sounds, there’s a 1.5 km toboggan ride back down to the entrance of Mutianyu.

For more information, here’s a great guide on visiting the Great Wall.

1:00 PM: Forbidden City and Jingshan Park

Take the subway back into down, getting off at Tiananmen West or Tiananmen East station (either one is very close to the Forbidden Palace). Now you’re in the centre of Beijing, with many of China’s best historical experiences within walking distance. It goes without saying that the Forbidden City is a must visit, but you might also consider taking a stroll in Jingshan Park, which is right next door. Nestled in the park grounds is a cute tea house where you can partake in a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. However, tea here starts from 100 RMB, so don’t get carried away!

5:00 PM: Tiananmen Square

The marvel of Tiananmen Square is in large part due to its size, said to be able to hold 600,000 people at one time. In the heavy smog, you can’t see one end of the square from the other. For me, the expansive square is the most beautiful at sunset, when a hazy orange glow washes over everything. Another important reason to come to Tiananmen Square at this time is to see the changing of the guards. This sobering daily ritual, which is as militarily important as it is culturally, is the subject of much fascination for hundreds of people who gather to see it everyday.

7:00 PM: Nanluogu Xiang at night

Something that is quintessentially Beijing that you must see while there is traditional ‘Hutong’, or lanes, which are remnants of how the people of Beijing lived for hundreds of years. Nanluogu Xiang, or South Gong and Drum Lane, is a richly historical ancient lane, and bustling shopping area. To get here, take the subway to Beixinqiao station, and from there it’s a short walk (or a taxi ride) to the lane. Nanluogu Xiang is absolutely magical at night, and there’s so much to see and buy, both old and modern.