4 Days in Beijing — The Sweet-Spot Itinerary: Forbidden City, Great Wall & Your Choice of Summer Palace or Universal 2026

Why four days

Between too rushed and more than you need

Here's the honest truth about Beijing: the distances between its sights are bigger than most people expect. The Forbidden City sits dead centre, the Great Wall is an hour or more outside the city, the Summer Palace is out to the northwest, and Universal is at the far eastern edge. A three-day trip can be done, but something always gets cut — and the thing that gets cut most often is day four, the day you finally leave the core and meet the other side of Beijing.

Four days solves that directly. Day one is the imperial core in full — Tiananmen, the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park. Day two is the Great Wall at Mutianyu, given the whole day it deserves. Day three is old Beijing and its temples — the Temple of Heaven, the Lama Temple, the Houhai hutongs. And day four is the one a short trip never has room for: yours to choose, whether that's the Summer Palace paired with the 798 Art District, or a full day at Universal Beijing.

The difference from the five-day itinerary: this plan adds no extra trips out of the city and gives you one day-four experience rather than both the Summer Palace and Universal in the same trip. It suits travellers with exactly four days who want to use every one of them. If you have less time, see the three-day plan.

4 days · 3 nights Choose your own day four Subway + Wall tour Budget ¥1,400–2,800/person

Before you go

Three things to sort before you land

A little planning makes Beijing far smoother — especially Forbidden City and Great Wall tickets.

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Book tickets 7 days out

The Forbidden City uses timed, name-registered tickets via WeChat (the official 故宫博物院 account), released around seven days ahead and selling out fast. It's closed on Mondays, so don't make day one a Monday. For the Great Wall at Mutianyu, book a tour or transfer in advance through Klook.

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Set up Alipay + a VPN

Link a Visa or Mastercard to Alipay (international mode) before you leave. Most places take Alipay or WeChat Pay first, cash second. Install a VPN too, since Google Maps, Instagram and many apps are blocked. See our Alipay guide.

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Check your visa first

Several nationalities now enter China visa-free under recent arrangements, but conditions and allowed days vary — always confirm your own case before travelling. See our China travel hub for the latest entry notes.

Day one

The imperial core — Forbidden City, the view, the duck

Walk from the world's largest public square into the palace of 24 emperors · climb Jingshan for the view down on it · finish with wood-fired Peking duck — day one packs old Beijing's heart into one stretch.

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Day 1

Tiananmen · Forbidden City · Jingshan Park · Wangfujing/Qianmen

The Forbidden City in Beijing — golden tiled palace roofs and the vast courtyard at the heart of the imperial palace

Morning · ~4 hours

Tiananmen Square + Forbidden City (故宫)

Start at Tiananmen Square by 8:30am — one of the largest public squares in the world, ringed by the Tiananmen Gate (with its portrait of Chairman Mao), the Monument to the People's Heroes and the Great Hall of the People. Cross beneath the road to the north side and into the Forbidden City, the largest Ming and Qing imperial palace on earth, with some 980 buildings. Walking from the Meridian Gate through to the Gate of Divine Prowess takes at least 2.5 to 3 unhurried hours.

The palace runs one way, south to north. Going early means better light and thinner crowds than the afternoon. Focus on the central axis (the three great halls), then linger in the Imperial Garden before you exit the north gate.

Subway: Line 1 to Tiananmen East/West · enter only via the Meridian Gate (午门) on the south side

Palace ticket: around ¥60 (~£6/$8) in peak season · name-registered timed ticket via WeChat, ~7 days ahead · closed Mondays

Tiananmen Square: free · security registration required, carry your passport

Tip: exit via the north Gate of Divine Prowess (神武门) — the entrance to Jingshan Park is directly across the road, so planning the day this way means no backtracking.

Afternoon · ~2 hours

Jingshan Park (景山公园) — the palace from above

Cross straight from the palace into Jingshan Park — an artificial hill built from the earth dug out of the palace moat. It's a 15 to 20 minute climb to the Wanchun Pavilion at the top, and from there you look straight down on the entire golden-roofed Forbidden City lined up along its perfect north-south axis. It's a view you simply can't get from inside the palace, and the finest spot in Beijing to photograph it.

Coming down, if you still have energy, walk the lakeside of Beihai Park just to the west, or rest over a cup of tea in the park before the evening.

Subway: Line 8 to Shichahai · or a ~5 minute walk from the palace's north gate

Jingshan entry: around ¥10 (~£1/$1.50) · open morning to evening (check hours before you go)

Evening · ~2.5 hours

Wangfujing / Qianmen + your first Peking duck

Pick a street to wander and eat: Wangfujing (王府井), the big pedestrian shopping street near the palace, or Qianmen Street (前门大街), the restored Qing-era avenue south of the square with a tram running down the middle. Both are fun after dark and easy places to find dinner.

Your first night in Beijing calls for Peking duck — the traditional version roasted over fruitwood, the crisp skin served with thin pancakes, spring onion, cucumber and sweet bean sauce. Booking ahead is wise, especially at the famous houses. See our Peking duck guide to pick a place for your budget.

Subway (Wangfujing): Line 1 to Wangfujing

Subway (Qianmen): Line 2 to Qianmen

Peking duck: roughly ¥150–400/person depending on the restaurant · order a half or whole duck to share

Day two

The Great Wall — a full day at Mutianyu

One of the Seven Wonders of the World · the well-restored Mutianyu section, green hills all around and far thinner crowds than Badaling · capped with the Olympic Park lit up at night — a day worth giving in full.

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Day 2

Great Wall at Mutianyu · Olympic Park (Bird's Nest + Water Cube)

The Great Wall of China at Mutianyu — stone ramparts winding along green mountain ridges outside Beijing

All day · ~8–9 hours round trip

The Great Wall, Mutianyu section (慕田峪长城)

Give the whole day to the Great Wall. Leave the city early (8am or sooner), because Mutianyu is around 70km from central Beijing — 1.5 to 2 hours each way. Mutianyu is beautifully restored, wrapped in green forest, and far less crowded than the busier Badaling section. There's a cable car up and down, and a toboggan run back down that's a hit with kids and adults alike.

Walking the wall between watchtowers 6 and 10 gives the best views without wearing you out — figure about 2.5 to 3 hours up on the ramparts. If you're a keen hiker, swap in the Jinshanling section instead: wilder, with longer views, but further out and more demanding — best for those who really want a full day of walking.

Getting there: a tour or transfer from the city is easiest — book via Klook · or the 916 express bus to Huairou, then a local connection

Mutianyu entry: around ¥40 (~£4/$6) · cable car/toboggan extra, ~¥100–140

Hours: roughly 7:30am–5:30pm (seasonal — check before you go)

Tip: booking a tour that includes transport saves a lot of time versus piecing together buses. Bring water, a hat and trainers — the wall's steps are steep and uneven.

Evening · ~1.5 hours

Olympic Park — Bird's Nest + Water Cube, lit up

On the way back into the city, if you've still got it in you, stop at the Olympic Green in the evening. The National Stadium ("Bird's Nest") and the National Aquatics Centre ("Water Cube") light up beautifully after dark. You can walk around the outside and photograph them for free, without buying a ticket to go inside — it's a wide, open space where locals come to stroll.

If the Wall has left you wiped out, skip it tonight — you can slot the Olympic Park into another day, since it's an easy stop on Line 8.

Subway: Line 8 to Olympic Sports Center / Olympic Green

Cost: free to walk and photograph outside · going inside the Bird's Nest is a separate ticket

Day three

Old Beijing and temples — Heaven, the Lama Temple, the hutongs

The emperor's altar of heaven at dawn · a Tibetan temple thick with incense all day · cycling the hutong lanes around Houhai lake · finishing in modern Sanlitun — the day Beijing feels truly lived-in.

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Day 3

Temple of Heaven · Lama Temple · Houhai hutongs/Drum & Bell Towers · Sanlitun

The Temple of Heaven in Beijing — the round, three-tiered blue-roofed Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests among old cypress trees

Morning · ~2.5 hours

Temple of Heaven (天坛)

Begin at the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing emperors came to make the annual sacrifice to heaven and pray for good harvests. The round, three-tiered Hall of Prayer with its deep blue roof is one of Beijing's defining images. The park around it is vast and shaded by ancient cypresses, and in the morning you'll find locals out in force — practising tai chi, dancing, and singing Peking opera. This is Beijing very much alive.

Walk in from the south gate along the central axis to the Hall of Prayer, allowing 1.5 to 2 hours. Don't miss the Echo Wall and the round Circular Mound Altar.

Subway: Line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen (east gate)

Through ticket: around ¥28–34 (~£3/$4) for the halls plus park · park-only entry is cheaper

Hours: the park opens very early, ~6am · the halls open around 8am (check before you go)

Afternoon · ~3.5 hours

Lama Temple (雍和宫) + Houhai hutongs + Drum & Bell Towers

Take the subway north to the Lama Temple (雍和宫, Yonghegong) — Beijing's most important Tibetan Buddhist temple, once the palace of the Yongzheng Emperor. Incense drifts across the whole complex, and the highlight is the 18-metre Maitreya Buddha in the rear hall, carved from a single piece of sandalwood. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours.

From there, head down into the hutongs (胡同), the old lane neighbourhoods around Houhai (后海) lake. Rent a bike and cycle the lanes, stopping at the Drum Tower and Bell Tower, an ancient pair that have stood together for centuries — you can climb the Drum Tower for a rooftop view across the hutongs. Come evening, the cafés and bars along Houhai's shore open up one after another.

Subway (Lama Temple): Lines 2/5 to Yonghegong Lama Temple

Subway (Houhai/Gulou): Line 8 to Shichahai / Guloudajie

Lama Temple ticket: around ¥25 (~£2.50/$3.50) · bike hire via app ~¥2–4/30 min

Drum + Bell Towers: combined ticket around ¥30 · timed drumming performances

Evening · ~2 hours

Sanlitun (三里屯) — modern Beijing after dark

End the day in Sanlitun — the complete opposite of the old hutongs. Sharp-looking design malls, international restaurants, bars and late-night cafés make this where young Beijingers and expats spend their evenings. You'll find dinner of every kind, from Sichuan hotpot to Western food. Soak up the buzz, then head back to rest up for your final day.

Subway: Line 10 to Tuanjiehu or Agricultural Exhibition Center

Dinner: ¥100–300/person · everything from street food to fine dining. See our Beijing food guide

Day four · your choice

The day that makes four different from three

This is the day a short trip never has — choose between the other side of Beijing (Summer Palace + 798 Art District) and a full theme-park day (Universal Beijing), then throw all your energy at the one you pick.

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Day 4 · your choice

Summer Palace + 798, or a full day at Universal Beijing

Pick 1 of 2 options

🏞️ Option A — Summer Palace + 798

Best if: you want to see every side of Beijing · you love imperial gardens, lakes and contemporary art · you're watching the budget · you'd rather skip theme-park crowds. Two worlds in one day, all by subway.

Subway (Summer Palace): Line 4 to Beigongmen (north gate) Subway (798): Line 14 to Wangjing South + a short walk/taxi Cost: Summer Palace ¥30–60 by season · 798 free (some galleries ticketed) Don't miss: the Long Corridor + Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace · the art and cafés at 798

🎢 Option B — Universal Beijing Resort

Best if: you're travelling with children · you're a film or theme-park fan · you want the Harry Potter and Kung Fu Panda lands found nowhere else in northern China · someone in your group has been waiting for this. A full, fun day with no museum fatigue.

Subway: Line 1/Batong + Line 7 to Universal Resort (eastern edge of the city) Tickets: price varies by day (peak/off-peak) — check and buy ahead via Klook Hours: typically ~10am–8pm (check before the day) Don't miss: the Harry Potter land · Kung Fu Panda · Transformers · Jurassic World

Option A — Morning · ~3 hours

Summer Palace (颐和园)

Head out early to the Summer Palace — China's largest and finest lakeside imperial garden, the summer retreat of the Empress Dowager Cixi. Kunming Lake spreads out wide, Longevity Hill rises behind it dotted with towers and temples, and the Long Corridor runs 728 metres with a different painting on every beam. Stroll the lakeside at an easy pace for 2.5 to 3 hours. Spring and autumn are the most beautiful times to come.

Subway: Line 4 to Beigongmen (north gate, near the hill) or Xiyuan (east gate)

Cost: ¥30–60 depending on season and ticket type (park entry vs. through ticket including the inner sights)

Option A — Afternoon · ~3 hours

798 Art District (798艺术区)

In the afternoon, ride the subway across to the 798 Art District in the northeast — a cluster of former socialist-era factories reborn as galleries, artist studios, bookshops and cafés. Old brick workshops mix with contemporary art and walls covered in street art. Wander the galleries (most are free), drink a coffee, and pick up something from a design shop. It's a light, easy afternoon that's a complete contrast to the palaces and temples of the days before.

Subway: Line 14 to Wangjing South + a short walk/taxi

Cost: free to enter the district · some special exhibitions are ticketed

Tip: many 798 galleries close on Mondays, like museums — check the day, and allow extra walking time, as the district is larger than it looks.

Option B — how to do Universal well

Universal Beijing Resort — full day

If you choose Universal Beijing, leave the hotel early to be at the gates for opening. The aim is to knock out the headline rides — the Harry Potter land and Transformers — in the morning while queues are shorter, then work through the rest (Kung Fu Panda, Jurassic World, Minion Land) at a steady pace. Don't sprint for every single ride or you'll burn out before evening. Consider an Express pass on busy days, and finish with the nighttime show before the park closes.

Buy tickets ahead: via Klook is easier than queuing at the gate · price varies by day

Food inside: roughly ¥100–200/person per meal · budget extra today for food and souvenirs

Important: Universal takes a full day and full energy. Don't try to do half a day there and then add the Summer Palace or 798 — pick one for day four and do it properly.

Practical info

Where to stay · getting around · the 4-day budget

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Book 3 nights — where to stay

The Wangfujing or Qianmen areas suit this plan best — walking distance from the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, and on subway Lines 1/2 that connect every stop. On day two you'll head to the Great Wall by tour or bus from the city. See our where-to-stay guide or the 10 best hotels.

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Getting around the city

Use the subway within the city — a wide network covering every stop in this plan, including Universal, at around ¥3–9 a ride. Pay via Alipay or WeChat Pay (scan the QR at the gate); signs are in English at every station. For the Great Wall on day two, a tour or transfer is by far the easiest option.

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Payment + VPN

Link a Visa or Mastercard to Alipay (international mode) before you travel. Most places take Alipay or WeChat Pay first, and some won't take cash. Download a VPN before leaving home too (Google Maps, Instagram and other apps are blocked). See our Alipay guide.

Budget

Approximate cost per person, 4 days

Item	Budget	Mid-range	Comfort
Hotel, 3 nights	¥300–600 (~£32–64)	¥900–1,800 (~£96–192)	¥2,400–4,500+ (~£256–480+)
Food, 4 days	¥320–480 (~£34–51)	¥600–1,200 (~£64–128)	¥1,400–2,800 (~£150–300)
Subway, 4 days	¥60–100 (~£6–11)	¥90–150 (~£10–16)	¥150–300 (~£16–32)
Day 2 (Great Wall)	¥120–200 (bus + ticket)	¥350–550 (tour incl. transport)	¥600–900 (private tour)
Tickets (days 1 + 3)	¥120–180 (palace + Heaven + temple)	¥200–300 (+ Drum Tower + Jingshan)	¥350–500 (+ guide/extras)
Day 4 (your choice)	¥40–90 (Summer Palace + 798)	¥400–700 (Universal)	¥700+ (Universal + Express)
Trip total (approx.)	¥960–1,650 (~£103–176)	¥2,540–4,300 (~£271–459)	¥5,600–9,500+ (~£598–1,014+)

Conversions are rough (¥1 ≈ £0.11) · prices are approximate and vary by season — always check before you travel.

Frequently asked

FAQ · 4-day Beijing itinerary

Is 4 days enough for Beijing?

Four days is genuinely the sweet spot for Beijing. You cover the imperial core (the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square), a full day on the Great Wall, old Beijing and its temples, and you still have a fourth day to choose between the Summer Palace plus 798 Art District or an all-day visit to Universal Beijing. A three-day trip always has to drop that fourth day. If you also want a day trip out of the city, such as a different Great Wall section or the Ming Tombs, extend to the five-day plan.

On day four, should I do the Summer Palace and 798, or Universal Beijing?

Choose the Summer Palace plus 798 if you want to see every side of Beijing — the Summer Palace is China's finest lakeside imperial garden, and 798 is a converted factory district full of galleries and cafés. Both are reached by subway for only a few hundred yuan.

Choose Universal Beijing if you're travelling with children, you're a film or theme-park fan, or you want the Harry Potter and Kung Fu Panda lands that exist nowhere else in northern China.

The one rule: Universal takes a full day and full energy, so don't try to do half a day there and squeeze in something else.

Do I need to book Forbidden City tickets in advance for a 4-day Beijing trip?

Yes, book ahead. The Forbidden City uses timed, name-registered tickets through WeChat (the official 故宫博物院 account), released roughly seven days out, and they sell out fast, especially on holidays. It is closed on Mondays (with a few exceptions during major holidays), so don't put day one of your trip on a Monday. Admission is around ¥60 in peak season. Check the current price and hours before you go. See our Forbidden City guide.

How many hotel nights do I need for a 4-day Beijing trip, and where should I stay?

Three nights (three nights equals four days). The Wangfujing or Qianmen areas work best: both are walking distance from the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square and sit on subway Lines 1 and 2, which connect every stop in this plan. On day two you'll head to the Great Wall by tour or bus from the city. If you choose Universal Beijing on day four, it sits at the eastern end of Line 1 and is easy to reach from the centre. See our recommended Beijing hotels.

Beijing travel guide

Where to stay, what to see — Forbidden City · Great Wall · hutongs · getting around

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3-day · 2-night plan

All the highlights on a shorter trip — Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven

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5-day · 4-night plan

Summer Palace + Universal + a day trip out of the city

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Things to do in Beijing

Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace

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