The Imperial Core — Tiananmen & the Forbidden City
One of the world's largest public squares in the morning, a 600-year-old palace of some 980 buildings, golden roofs from Jingshan Hill at sunset, and one Peking duck dinner to close the day.
Leave the hotel early — aim to reach Tiananmen Square (天安门广场) before 8:30 am. It is one of the largest city-centre squares on earth: Tiananmen Gate with its portrait of Mao on one side, the Monument to the People's Heroes and Chairman Mao's mausoleum on the other. Spend 30–45 minutes taking it in. (You'll pass through a security check, so carry your actual passport at all times.)
From there, walk straight into the Forbidden City — entry is through the Meridian Gate (午门, Wumen) on the south side only. This Ming and Qing imperial palace was completed in 1420 and holds around 980 buildings strung along one immense central axis: golden tiled roofs, red walls, courtyard after courtyard. Walk the axis from south to north and allow a relaxed 2.5–3 hours. Note that you exit through the Gate of Divine Prowess (神武门) on the north side — there is no re-entry once you leave, so pace yourself accordingly.
After exiting the palace's north gate, grab lunch nearby — the hutong lanes around here have noodle shops and casual spots. Then cross the road to Jingshan Park, which sits directly opposite the north gate. This artificial hill was built centuries ago from the earth dug out of the palace moat; the climb to the summit pavilion takes under 15 minutes.
The top of Jingshan is the best view of the Forbidden City in Beijing — you look straight down the central axis at the entire sweep of golden roofs receding into the distance. Time it for late afternoon, just before sunset, when the low light sets the whole palace glowing. Spend 45–60 minutes up here photographing and taking it in.
If you still have energy and daylight, wander into the hutong (胡同) lanes to the north — the old grey-brick courtyard alleys that are the original fabric of Beijing life. Or save them for tonight on the way to Houhai.
Close Day 1 with the meal people fly to Beijing for — Peking duck (北京烤鸭), the crisp, paper-thin skin carved at your table and wrapped in thin pancakes with spring onion, cucumber and sweet bean sauce. Take the subway to Wangfujing or Qianmen, both of which have duck restaurants from century-old institutions to modern rooms at every price point (¥100–350 per person for a duck shared between you). See the Peking duck guide for where to go.
Afterwards, walk it off along the Wangfujing pedestrian street or Qianmen Street, both lined with shops and old-style architecture and lively under the evening lights — an easy way to end the first day.
