5 Things to Do in Beijing, China

The former imperial palace housed 24 emperors across the Ming and Qing dynasties and remains the largest palace complex on earth — nearly 1,000 buildings across 180 acres, ringed by a moat and 32-foot walls. Enter from Tiananmen Square through the Meridian Gate and work your way north through the ceremonial halls to the more intimate imperial gardens at the rear; the scale only really lands once you're inside the outer courtyards.

Good to know: Tickets are capped daily and must be booked online in advance (passport required) — walk-up entry is not available. Budget at least three hours, more if you want to see the ceramics and clock galleries.

Of the sections of the Great Wall accessible from Beijing, Mutianyu is the best balance of restored, hikeable wall and manageable crowds — less overrun than Badaling, less strenuous than the wilder Jiankou section. A cable car or chairlift gets you up to the wall itself, from which you can walk between watchtowers with sweeping views over forested hills, and a toboggan run back down the mountain is a genuinely fun way to close out the trip.

Good to know: It's about 90 minutes from central Beijing by car or shuttle bus — go early to have several watchtowers largely to yourself before tour groups arrive.

This 15th-century temple complex is where Ming and Qing emperors came to perform annual ceremonies asking Heaven for a good harvest. Its centerpiece, the circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, is built entirely without nails and is one of the most photographed buildings in China. The surrounding park is as much a draw as the temple itself — arrive early and you'll find locals practicing tai chi, playing traditional instruments, and doing group ballroom dancing under the cypress trees.

Good to know: Go at dawn for the local park life, or late afternoon for softer light on the blue-tiled roofs. The park is large enough to easily spend half a day.

Hutongs are the narrow alleyways of low-rise courtyard housing that once made up most of old Beijing, and Nanluoguxiang is the best-preserved, most walkable stretch left. A rickshaw or bike tour through the surrounding lanes gets you past centuries-old courtyard homes, small temples, and neighborhood life that the city's high-rises have mostly replaced elsewhere, while the main strip itself is now lined with cafes, boutiques, and snack stalls.

Good to know: Side-alleys off the main strip are quieter and more authentic than the strip itself — don't be afraid to wander off it.

A former state-run electronics factory complex, converted starting in the early 2000s into Beijing's main contemporary art district, 798 now holds dozens of galleries, artist studios, and installation spaces inside Bauhaus-style industrial architecture with exposed pipes and factory signage still intact. It's the best single stop for contemporary Chinese art and design, and the industrial-meets-gallery aesthetic makes it a strong photography stop even if you skip the exhibits.

Good to know: Most galleries are free to enter and open Tuesday–Sunday; plan two to three hours to browse without rushing.