jumping in head first

Tianemen Square, Forbidden City (+ Jingshan Park), Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven.

Our 20,000+ step day with these top attractions is not a common itinerary. Each site is truly impressive to witness and deserving of more time - but for us, there was something nice about doing it all on our first day, being quickly immersed in a cornucopia of Chinese tradition, architecture, and history. Our guide alleviated the logistical burden and helped get us around at turbo speeds.

Tiananmen Square

biggest city square in the world 

We kicked off our itinerary here. We immediately saw the importance of having a guide……

Forbidden City

Largest palace in the world 

The south(?) end of Tiananmen Square is the beginning of the north gate to the Forbidden city……

Jingshan Park

Overlook to the Forbidden City 

It’s another park and small entrance fee, but definitely worth the climb up to see Forbidden city after you do that.

The Summer Palace

Beautiful lake and overlooking temple 

After entering, you was through the world’s largest corridor, and have the option of going through another entrance to the temple overlooking the gate. At the end of the corridor and sidewalk, you can ride a boat over to the stone bridge.

Temple of Heaven

Blue temple 

It was fun to see the local retirees playing a card game in the park as you walk to the temple. There are museums with artifacts around the temple.

The Great Wall

mutianyu section

Cable car and toboggan down…. Description text. Viris docendi argumentum nó cum, ex vel aeque chóro. Ullum iustó id pro, ut pro cibo meís maiorum, stet erípuit disputandó et per. Ex zril adípisci seá. Eam at debitís nomínati mandámus, nulla fuisset inimicus iñ est. Putent regione conceptám ius id.

After the big tourist stops

Markets, Hutongs, Wangfujing and Houhai Lake 

There is even more to Beijing than the World Heritage Sites and epic attractions, so we saved time on other days and on a travel day to see more.

Hutongs

walk, bike, or pedicab 

We did not approach this with much strategy, but….

Wangfujing Street & Night Market

“Snack street”

Description text. Viris docendi argumentum nó cum, ex vel aeque chóro. Ullum iustó id pro, ut pro cibo meís maiorum, stet erípuit disputandó et per. Ex zril adípisci seá. Eam at debitís nomínati mandámus, nulla fuisset inimicus iñ est. Putent regione conceptám ius id.

Houhai Lake and Bar Street

walk, bike, or pedicab 

We did not approach this with much strategy, but…. 

Peking Duck & Kung Fu

they go good together 

Description text. Viris docendi argumentum nó cum, ex vel aeque chóro. Ullum iustó id pro, ut pro cibo meís maiorum, stet erípuit disputandó et per. Ex zril adípisci seá. Eam at debitís nomínati mandámus, nulla fuisset inimicus iñ est. Putent regione conceptám ius id.

Olympic Park & 798 Art District

they go good together 

Description text. Viris docendi argumentum nó cum, ex vel aeque chóro. Ullum iustó id pro, ut pro cibo meís maiorum, stet erípuit disputandó et per. Ex zril adípisci seá. Eam at debitís nomínati mandámus, nulla fuisset inimicus iñ est. Putent regione conceptám ius id.

Pearl & Silk Markets

saving time for a little shopping 

Description text. Viris docendi argumentum nó cum, ex vel aeque chóro. Ullum iustó id pro, ut pro cibo meís maiorum, stet erípuit disputandó et per. Ex zril adípisci seá. Eam at debitís nomínati mandámus, nulla fuisset inimicus iñ est. Putent regione conceptám ius id.

Our Beijing (Part 1) Video: