Beijing Itinerary

Last Updated on February 9, 2022 by Tia

This Beijing Itinerary is filled with the Best 15 things to do, in the wonderful city of Beijing, China.

Added to this, are mini picture galleries on each subject. I’m mostly letting the images do the talking for me!

Combine this with my Beijing Tour guide (where I am listing the most unusual things to do in Beijing) and you got yourself the perfect Beijing Holiday!

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Pagoda shrine in Beijing is just an example of incredible architecture you should add to your Beijing Itinerary

This post will be taking you on a journey in Beijing, through a series of breathtaking pictures taken from my travels to China; showcasing all the rich culture, food, and sights that Beijing has to offer.

Think of this as the Beijing Itinerary you didn’t know you needed!

All the reasons to visit Beijing in one article, specially designed to provide the ultimate Chinese Wanderlust.

1. Go Shopping and Experience the Extravagance

Shopping in Beijing is an experience in itself!

Countless malls, electronics shops, street markets, and outlets provide the cheap China shopping of your dreams!

Meanwhile, the high-end shopping scene is as vibrant and popping as the pictures and supercars parked on every corner below!

You will love the Pearl market Beijing – that will not only allow you to indulge in first-class pearl jewelry but will also solve the answer to the question; ”What to buy in Beijing”

2.Admire the Architecture

The Buddhist temples in Beijing are beautiful and must be admired up close. The Temple of Heaven is pure magic!

Fascinating and intricate architecture that comes in stark contrast with the ”new Beijing” of sky-high skyscrapers and futuristic buildings.

It makes you feel like half the city is in a time machine from centuries ago.

3. Eat ALL the Incredible Food In Beijing

My entire life I have detested Chinese food with a passion.

Weird-looking sauces and suspicious-looking meats – no thank you!

That all changed the minute I sampled real Chinese food…In China. Literally, nothing you have ever tasted, anywhere in the world!

The most delicious, freshly rolled sushi, mouthwatering freshly steamed dumplings, Korean BBQ, mild curries, and not a sweet and sour chicken in sight! YUM!

Chinese snapper fish dish. Add traditional Chinese food to your Beijing Itinerary

4. Indulge In Chocolate Masterpieces

Prepare yourself for the sugar high of your lives!

You will be hard pushed to choose just one in this Dessert heaven venue dedicated entirely to chocolate.

Chocolate martinis, salted caramel lava cakes, delicious mousses, praline brownies and many more will have you indulging in 0.5 seconds.

Location: Awfully Chocolate

5. Party with the locals – Beijing Itinerary

I had many crazy nights in Beijing – and most of them involved grape Bacardi Breezers which I have found nowhere else in the world!

While there are plenty of sophisticated and upscale venues in Beijing – getting down and dirty with the locals is where the real fun is at!

Destination Club in Beijing is also a great LGBT friendly club in Beijing that puts the wild in nightlife in Beijing

Destination Club Address: China, Beijing Shi, Chaoyang Qu, 工体西路7号

6. Drive and photograph the most bizzare automobiles in Beijing

I have NEVER in my life seen as many unconventional ”vehicles” in the streets!

There are bicycles carrying actual sofas, and weird-looking motorbikes decked out like a King’s Carriage!

There are electric cars, old-style sidecars and many…many more!

Ride and photograph as many as you can!

7. Get in touch with Nature and Wildlife

The capital of the country of the Panda, Beijing is also filled with many parks, lakes, and wildlife.

Personally that this is the last thing people expect to see in China!

So pet the Pandas, stroll through the parks, and take little boat ride picnics in the lakes!

8. Meet The Locals in Beijing

My Caucasian skin and blonde hair made me quite the celebrity in China!

I have never in my life posed for so many pictures with people I do not know!

Wherever I travel, one of my main goals is to meet local people. They hold the juice to the country – the customs, the language, the culture.

Locals in China were fascinating – their non-existent English made interacting with them a challenge which I loved from the get-go!

black and white photo of two men in beijing

9. Get lost in The Temple Of Heaven

it is China’s largest and most representative existing masterpiece among China’s ancient sacrificial buildings.

Originally called the Temple of Heaven and Earth, it was built from 1406 to 1420 during the reign of Emperor Yongle, who was also responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City.

The temple was enlarged and renamed the Temple of Heaven during the reign of Emperor Jiajing in the sixteenth century.

The Temple of Heaven used to serve as the sacred place where emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911) held the Heaven Worship Ceremony.

10. Experience a true Chinese Toilet

Because you will never understand true misery until you’re forced to use one of those!

And because on the odd chance you will come across a European Beijing toilet, it will probably be out of order!

Still, an experience I will remember for some time!

11. Go and watch the the Acrobatic Show Beijing

Have you ever seen a dozen gymnasts hanging off the same bicycle?

One word; amazing!

This show is a must! Chinese singing, dancing, and some kick-ass acrobatics!

12. Try Alternative Medicine

Chinese medicine is a whole science in itself and Beijing is the perfect place to experiment with alternative medicine.

Herbs, cupping therapy, acupuncture, Chinese massages, and foot spas.

I can attest to the heavenly feeling of the foot spas, and I found the cupping therapy fascinating!

add cupping therapy in your Beijing Itinerary

13. Dare to try street food

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The street food culture is huge in Beijing as it is with most of Asia!

Fresh corn on the cob, entire hot pot meals, steamed sweet potatoes, and yes, even insects on a stick for the daredevils!

Go for it, you will be surprised at how yummy it is! The general rule of thumb when eating street food is:

Choose a vendor that has a queue waiting
Make sure you see locals eating
Do not buy anything that isnt cooked in front of your eyes
Always carry activated charcoal tablets with you. Total lifesaver in case something doesn’t agree with you!

14. Find the biggest tea market in the world

You will never know how invested you can become in tea until you have visited China.

Every herb you can imagine, every flavor, each with a rich history and its own medicinal purpose.

You will be hard pushed to find teabags here – all the good stuff is bought by the gram!

The Maliando Tea Street boasts over 1500 tea vendors fanatical with tea – and after a day there, you will be joining them!

Stroll through the market, try different teas, make purchases, and learn all about the healing powers of the humble…tea.

15. Hike and marvel at The Great Wall of China

No Beijing Itinerary will EVER be complete without this.

Because if you set foot in Beijing and don’t go marvel at the Great Wall Of China – you are being silly!

In case you didn’t know, The Great Wall is over 2.300 years old, Hike the entirety of it, or use a cable car if you need to.

Admire the wonders of civilizations past, take in the breathtaking views and make sure you slide down the mountain on your way down!

Hiking the Great Wall of China in my Beijing Itinerary

Fascinating Facts about the Great Wall of China

It is said that over 400.000 people died building the Great Wall, many of which are still buried inside the walls
Although many believe that the Great Wall of China can be seen from space with the naked eye, that is simply not true! It can be, however, be seen with aid.
It took over 20 years of hard labor to build it
The primary purpose if the Great Wall was to protect the Chinese Empire from the Mongolians and other invaders
The last part of the wall with the massive watch-towers was actually built by the Ming Dynasty.
The official number of the total length of the Great Wall is 8851.8 kilometers (5500 miles)
Over 10 million people visit the Great Wall of China every year. It has been visited by over 300 heads of state and VIPs from around the world