Must-see! First-time Beijing itinerary: 5 days of non-stop fun

Hey Besties🥰, let's take a spontaneous trip to Beijing! Witness the romantic autumn scenery of the thousand-meter ginkgo avenue at Yuanmingyuan Park🍁, journey through history at the National Museum of China and the Forbidden City, conquer the majestic Great Wall, explore the picturesque Summer Palace, and watch the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square, feeling that deep-rooted patriotism and romance unique to our nation! This super detailed, pitfall-free 5-day Beijing itinerary is for you, if you're heading to Beijing in May~ Daily Itinerary Day 1: First Encounter with History and Culture🎇 Tiananmen Square👉The first must-see stop in Beijing! Watch the five-star red flag rise in the morning light, and feel the surge of pride🚩. Remember to check the flag-raising time in advance and arrive early to get a good spot. National Museum of China👉This is the nation's cultural treasure trove, home to countless historical gems. Walking through it is like traveling through time and conversing with history. It's truly amazing👍. Qianmen Street👉A street full of old Beijing charm, with antique buildings and a dazzling array of time-honored shops, taking you back in time. When you're tired of shopping, you can sample all kinds of authentic Beijing snacks to satisfy your taste buds😋. Temple of Heaven👉The place where ancient emperors offered sacrifices to Heaven and prayed for good harvests. Its unique architectural style and profound cultural heritage make it a must-visit. Taking photos here is also super atmospheric, creating stunning pictures in an instant📸. Day 2: Exploring the Past and Present of the Forbidden City🏯 Forbidden City👉This ancient palace bears the weight of 600 years of history across two dynasties and three centuries. Every brick, tile, and red wall tells stories of the past. Strolling along the stone paths of the Forbidden City, you can almost see the figures of ancient emperors and officials, truly a journey through time. Remember to plan your route in advance, or you'll easily get lost🧐. Jingshan Park👉Exiting through the Shenwu Gate of the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park is just across the road. Climb to the top of Jingshan Hill for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City and Beijing. The bird's-eye view of the Forbidden City is especially spectacular, making it the perfect photo spot📷. Beihai Park👉Here you'll find beautiful lakes and mountains, with pavilions and towers scattered throughout. Rowing a boat on the lake, feeling the breeze on your face, is truly relaxing🚣. Prince Gong's Mansion👉The former residence of Heshen, with exquisite architecture and elegant gardens. Come here to soak up some "good fortune," and maybe you'll have good luck when you return home🍀. Day 3: Imperial Gardens and Modern Landmarks🌳 Summer Palace👉This large imperial garden is breathtakingly beautiful! With lakes, mountains, long corridors, and ancient pavilions, every step is a picturesque scene. You can choose to take a boat tour and admire the beauty of the Summer Palace from the water, which offers a unique perspective🚢. Old Summer Palace👉Once the "Garden of Ten Thousand Gardens," although it has gone through many changes, you can still feel its former glory. Walking through the ruins of the Old Summer Palace, you can almost hear the sighs of history, which is truly moving. Tsinghua University/Peking University👉China's top universities, with beautiful campuses and a rich cultural atmosphere. If you have the opportunity to visit, be sure to experience the academic atmosphere📚. Remember to book in advance. Bird's Nest/Water Cube👉The iconic buildings of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Bird's Nest and Water Cube are brilliantly lit at night and are very beautiful. Come here to take photos and experience the charm of modern architecture💪. Day 4: Experiencing Beijing's Artistic and Ancient Charm🎨 Lama Temple👉One of the largest Tibetan Buddhist temples in Beijing, with flourishing incense. Come here to pray for blessings and experience the profound Buddhist culture🙏. Remember to follow the temple rules and keep quiet. Confucius Temple👉The highest institution of learning in ancient times, with antique buildings and a rich cultural atmosphere. Walking here, you can almost hear the sound of reading aloud, giving you a deeper understanding of the ancient education system📖. Ditan Park👉The place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped the "God of Earth." The park has a tranquil environment and is a good place for a relaxing stroll. In autumn, the ginkgo leaves in Ditan Park turn golden yellow, which is very beautiful🍂. Nanluoguxiang👉Here you'll find all kinds of specialty shops, food, and bars, full of artistic atmosphere. Stroll the streets, sample the food, and experience Beijing's nightlife. It's truly enjoyable🥂. However, be aware that things here can be pricey, so spend wisely. Day 5: Challenging the Great Wall, Encountering the Animal World🏞️ Badaling Great Wall👉"He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man." How can you come to Beijing and not climb the Great Wall? The Badaling Great Wall is majestic and scenic. Climbing along the Great Wall, admiring the surrounding scenery, is truly rewarding. However, climbing the Great Wall is physically demanding, so remember to wear comfortable shoes👟. You can take the 877 bus directly to the foot of the Great Wall, which is very convenient. Beijing Zoo👉Here you'll find all kinds of adorable animals, including giant pandas, golden monkeys, elephants, giraffes, and more. Come here to get up close and personal with the animals and experience the wonders and beauty of nature🐼. Remember to book your tickets in advance. Shichahai👉A famous historical and cultural district in Beijing, with ancient hutongs, courtyards, and beautiful lakes. In the evening, take a stroll along Shichahai and admire the sunset. It's truly romantic🌅. However, be careful not to buy things randomly in Shichahai, Nanluoguxiang, and Beiluoguxiang, as there aren't many authentic Beijing snacks in the hutongs. Beijing Attraction Booking Guide📱 Many popular attractions in Beijing require advance booking, and ticket release times vary, so be sure to do your homework and set your alarms to join the waitlist! - Forbidden City: 7 days in advance, tickets released at 8:00 pm (closed on Mondays). If you want to visit the Forbidden City, be sure to set your alarm⏰, or you'll miss out! - National Museum of China: 7 days in advance, tickets released at 5:00 pm - Chairman Mao Memorial Hall: 6 days in advance, tickets released at 12:00 pm (closed on Mondays) - Tiananmen Tower: 7 days in advance, tickets released at 5:00 pm - Great Hall of the People: 3 days in advance, tickets released at 5:00 pm - Temple of Heaven: 7 days in advance, tickets released at 9:00 pm - Prince Gong's Mansion: 10 days in advance, tickets released at 9:00 pm - Lama Temple: 7 days in advance, tickets released at 8:00 pm - Water Cube: 7 days in advance, tickets released at 12:00 am - Beijing Zoo: 2 days in advance, tickets released at 12:00 am - Badaling Great Wall: 10 days in advance, tickets released at 8:00 pm - Mutianyu Great Wall: 2 days in advance - Science and Technology Museum: 7 days in advance, tickets released at 12:00 am - Natural History Museum: 3 days in advance, tickets released at 11:00 am - Peking University: 7 days in advance for non-working days, 1 day in advance for working days, open from 8:00 am - 11:00 am and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Tsinghua University: 7 days in advance, tickets released at 8:00 am (closed on Mondays) Beijing Travel Tips📌 - Always carry your ID📄. Many attractions in Beijing have strict security checks, and you may not be able to enter without ID. - Traffic in Beijing can be congested, especially during rush hour🚗. Prioritize the subway for convenient and fast travel, followed by buses. - The climate in Beijing is dry, so remember to drink plenty of water and moisturize💧. - Beijing has a wide variety of food, but tastes may vary. Try different snacks to find what you like😋. - Choose accommodation near subway stations for easier travel. Check hotel reviews and prices online in advance to find cost-effective options🏨. Social Media Captions📝 1. 📍Beijing "Bei is the Bei of Beiping, Jing is the Jing of Kyoto." This city, full of historical charm and modern vibes, is truly captivating😍. 2. 📍Beijing·Forbidden City🏯 "Every brick, tile, and red wall tells of two dynasties, three centuries, and six hundred years." Experience the weight of history in the Forbidden City, as if traveling back in time👘. 3. 📍Beijing·Shichahai "Sunset🌅 returns to the mountains and sea, the mountains and sea hold deep meaning." The sunset at Shichahai is truly beautiful and mesmerizing🌇. Besties, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head to Beijing for an amazing journey🎉!