Forbidden City + Tiananmen Square

~25–35 min by car  ·  starting at ¥60/person

Book only via the official site — bookingticket.dpm.org.cn. No same-day tickets — must book online with passport number. Tickets release 7 days ahead and sell out fast. Closed Mondays. Budget a full half-day — this is a destination on its own, not something to pair with other major sights.

Great Wall — Jinshanling Ridge

~2–2.5 hrs by car  ·  starting at ¥65/person

A more remote and far less crowded section than the closer, more touristy locations — well worth the extra drive for the scenery and space. Plan for a full day — leave the hotel by 7:30–8am. Best done not on May 29 or 30. Consider a private driver so you're not navigating buses.

Temple of Heaven

~30–40 min by car  ·  starting at ¥35/person

Book via TravelChinaGuide or Trip.com. Tickets require passport info, released 7 days ahead. Go in the morning — locals practice tai chi and fan dancing in the surrounding park. Some areas closed Mondays.

Summer Palace

~40–50 min by car  ·  starting at ¥50/person

Budget half a day — it's a huge site. Boat rides on Kunming Lake are a nice add-on in warm weather. Book via TravelChinaGuide or Trip.com. Some inner attractions closed Mondays.

798 Art District

~20–25 min by car  ·  Free entry

One of the closest attractions to the hotel. A converted Bauhaus-era factory complex turned contemporary art zone — galleries, street art, design shops, cafes. Individual galleries may charge small fees. Good for a relaxed afternoon. Some galleries closed Mondays.

Houhai Hutongs + Drum Tower

~25–35 min by car  ·  Rickshaw tours approximately ¥200/person

Beautiful for lakeside walking, old courtyard alleyways, and evening bars. A rickshaw hutong tour (via Viator) typically includes the Drum Tower climb and a local family/tea stop. Could work well the morning of May 29.

Lama Temple

~20–25 min by car  ·  starting at ¥25/person

Beijing's most active Tibetan Buddhist temple — incense, working monks, beautiful multi-hall complex. Tickets available on-site. Modest dress appreciated. Easy to pair with a Houhai/hutong outing.

Panjiayuan Antique Market

~25–35 min by car  ·  Free entry

Weekend only for the full experience — outdoor stalls open Saturday and Sunday from ~4:30am (9–10am arrival is plenty). Antiques, jade, calligraphy, curios. Bring cash and bargain hard — nothing is fixed-price.

National Museum of China

~25–35 min by car  ·  Free entry

One of the largest museums in the world, on the east side of Tiananmen Square — bronzes, jades, porcelain, and 5,000 years of Chinese history across dozens of halls. Entry is free but advance reservation is mandatory and slots often go within minutes of release about 7 days ahead. Bring the same passport used to book. Closed Mondays; budget 2–3 hours.

Capital Museum

~35–45 min by car  ·  Free entry

Beijing’s own story — city history, folk customs, Peking opera, and a beautiful porcelain collection in a striking modern building. Far quieter than the National Museum and a good rainy-day option. Free with advance reservation; closed Mondays.

National Art Museum of China

~25–30 min by car  ·  Free entry

The country’s flagship fine-art museum — traditional ink painting, calligraphy, and rotating modern exhibitions. Smaller and easier than the big two, so it pairs nicely with a Houhai or Lama Temple morning. Reserve ahead; closed Mondays.

Poly Art Museum

~15–20 min by car  ·  starting at ¥20/person

Small, elegant, and one of the closest to the hotel. Best known for its ancient bronzes, including several of the zodiac heads from the Old Summer Palace, plus Buddhist stone sculpture. An easy hour rather than a half-day.

Silk Street Market (Xiushui)

~15–20 min by car

Famous for negotiable goods, silk, tailoring, pearls, and souvenirs. Bargaining is expected — start at 20–25% of asking price. Food court in the basement. Open until 9pm.

Hongqiao Pearl Market

~30–35 min by car

Best spot in Beijing for freshwater and saltwater pearls. Directly across from the Temple of Heaven — easy to pair both. Ask for certificates when buying pearls. Closes ~7pm.

Taikoo Li Sanlitun

~8 min by car — closest to hotel

Beijing's trendiest open-air fashion complex — Dior, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Hermès, Uniqlo, and a huge Apple Store. Great atmosphere in the evening — also an excellent dinner and bar spot right at your doorstep.

Beijing SKP

~20 min by car

Beijing's premier luxury mall — Gucci, Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, plus excellent dining including Din Tai Fung on the lower level. Worth a look just for the architecture.

Peking Duck — Beijing's signature dish

Worth doing at least once. Top picks:

Da Dong — modern, polished, less greasy. Reservations recommended.
Quanjude — the original, founded 1864, classic hanging-oven method (~35–40 min from hotel).
Siji Minfu — better value, very popular with locals, Forbidden City branch has moat views.
Duck de Chine (Sanlitun) — courtyard setting, ~10 min from hotel, great if you don't want to travel far.

Order 1 duck per 2–3 people. Reserve ahead where possible.

Immersive Imperial Palace Dinner

A fun, memorable group outing for guests arriving early.

Xuyan (叙宴) — Immersive Ancient Chinese Palace Banquet, bookable via Klook.
Yuxiandu Imperial Cuisine Museum — royal dishes + traditional performances, lunch and dinner seatings.

Performances mostly in Mandarin. Book several days ahead.

Hot Pot

Haidilao (multiple locations including Sanlitun) — famous for over-the-top service, great for groups. They entertain you while you wait so no reservation stress.

Food Markets & Snack Streets

Sanyuanli Market — ~5 min drive, nicknamed the "Fresh Food United Nations." Great for jet-lagged mornings.

Wangfujing Snack Street — ~25 min by car. Hundreds of stalls with skewers, dumplings, and regional snacks. Best for grazing.

Huguosi Hutong Snack Street — near Houhai, more traditional and less touristy.

Legend of Kung Fu Show

~35 min by car  ·  starting at ¥140/person

Nightly at 7:30pm (5:15pm day show in high season). English subtitles, no dialogue — kung fu, dance, and acrobatics tell the story. Works for any age or language background. Book via Viator or ETripChina — prices vary by seating tier up to approximately ¥880 for premium.

Chaoyang Theatre Acrobatics

~15–20 min by car  ·  starting at ¥150/person

Two shows daily at 5pm & 7pm. Classic Chinese acrobatics — contortion, plate spinning, human towers. Closer to the hotel than the Red Theatre. Good for a low-key evening. Book a few days ahead through most Beijing ticket agents.

Beijing Xuyan — Immersive Chinese Ancient Palace Banquet

Starting at approximately ¥398/person

A truly unique dining experience set in an immersive ancient Chinese palace environment — elaborate costumes, theatrical performances, and traditional imperial cuisine all woven together into one unforgettable evening. You can also rent traditional costumes and have your makeup done there for an additional cost — a fun way to fully immerse yourself in the experience. A memorable group outing especially for guests arriving a few days early. Book several days in advance as it fills up quickly. Bookable via Klook — prices vary by seating package.