Beijing in 4 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Beijing is a charming city with attractions such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China. Although seeing it in 4 days may seem like an impossible journey, as it is one of the largest cities in the world, it is possible! In this article I show you what to see in Beijing in 4 days!

The best way to start your visit is by getting to know Chinese history and architecture, so the three spots you'll see on Day 1 are full of charm. The best part? They are very close, so you'll be able to make the most of the day.

Qianmen Tower or Zhengyangmen Monument

Just a few steps away from Tiananmen Square, gliding down Qianmen Street, you'll find the front passage of Beijing's Ancient Walled City. Its Qianmen Tower was built in 1419 and restored centuries later to maintain its history-laden structure.

The True Sun Gate and the Arrow Tower are also located here. For an affordable price you will enter the interior of the structure and even have the chance to climb to the highest point to view the activities in the square and admire Beijing's architecture.

Tiananmen Square

Want to see one of the largest squares in the world? Built in 1949, Tiananmen Square is considered the heart of the city and is where you can see the best sunrises. Entry is free, but you will have to pass through a security checkpoint and it is compulsory to show your passport, in addition you will be able to see:

• The Monument to the People's Heroes.
• The Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.
• The Marble Stelae.
• The National Museum of China.

If you want to have breakfast, there are a variety of restaurants nearby, such as Siji Minfu, Bianyifang Roast Duck or Utopia Chinese Restaurant. Wangfujing shopping street is also located near the square, where you'll find street markets, brand-name shops and Western-style shopping malls.

Forbidden City

You will need at least two hours to explore the Forbidden City and I recommend booking a tour of the Forbidden City to discover its wonderful hidden corners.

The gate is located in Tiananmen Square, where you will enter a magical space, characterised by courtyards, gardens and pavilions. Here you will be able to glimpse the Guardians of the Roof and Chinese Lions, located at the entrances of the pavilions.

During your stay I recommend visiting: the Treasure Gallery, the Hall of Clocks, the Nine Dragons Wall, the Thousand Years Pavilion, the West Pavilions and the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

• Price: Admission ranges from €5.3 to €7.8, young children are free and adults over 60 get a 50% discount.
• Opening hours: Open every day except Mondays.
• Pleasenote: some stays have additional costs to the entrance fee.
• Don't miss... Coal Hill in Jingshan Park, where you can get the best views of the Forbidden City.

Summer Palace and Kunming Lake

If you started your day early, you still have the whole afternoon ahead of you. Your next stop is the Summer Palace. At the entrance you'll find structures decorated with thrones and animals, ideal for photo opportunities.

You'll come across several Buddhist temples, especially on Longevity Hill. You can enjoy the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion, the Cloud Hall and the Temple of the Sea of Wisdom. The curious thing about this palace is that it is a reconstruction, the original was demolished years ago.

• Note: you can see the actual ruins of the Summer Palace a few streets away.
• Don't miss... Kunming Lake, perfect for watching the sunset. You can take the ferry to South Lake Island, where the Marble Boat is located and cross the 17 Arch Bridge.

On the second day you'll have to get up early to start outside the Great Wall of China and continue to see the best that Beijing has to offer.

Great Wall of China

There are many tours to the Great Wall of China, but you are only allowed to visit the restored sections of this architectural paradise:

• Badaling: the most touristy, close to the city and easy to walk around with incredible views of the mountains.
• Simatai, Huanghua Cheng and Jinshanling: if you are looking for a more remote and longer option. It is not recommended in winter because it is a dangerous stretch and the fog complicates the climb.
• Mutianyu Trail: an option that shares the best of each section. There are fewer tourists and you can use the cable car, the slide or the roller coaster.

The more adventurous people climb more and even camp at the lookout points on the unrestored sections, or stay in houses or hotels in the surrounding area. But I recommend booking a tour of the Great Wall to learn all about its history and discover its most important points.

Ming Tombs

Booking a tour to the Ming Tombs is a must on your itinerary. It is a necropolis that houses the bodies of emperors, empresses, courtiers and other court figures of the Ming Dynasty.

Here you can learn their stories and walk along the Sacred Way, the Great Red Gate Arch and the Avenue of Animals, where there are many statues you can't miss photographing.

Each site is priced individually, but the best option is to book a guided tour to save money.

District 798

If you're passionate about art, you can't miss District 798, the modern face of the city filled with events, sculptures, artists' studios, art galleries, avant-garde shops, designer goods, culture, architecture and more.

Admission is free and all around you'll find a variety of activities at the Silk Market, as well as cafes and bookshops. If you want to go to a more modern district with high-rise buildings and skyscrapers, take a walk through the Financial District.

Beihai Park

In mid-afternoon, you can relax in Beihai Park, an imperial garden with the statue of the White Dagoba, Buddhist temples and the Nine Dragons Wall with a variety of ceramic relief pieces.

You can pay for a boat or bike ride or, if you go in winter, ice skating. There are also hiking trails and you can cross the Yinding Bridge. Later you can choose to watch the sunset with live music, or take a stroll through the surrounding Hutongs.

Olympic Village

Sports enthusiasts can head to the Olympic Village at dusk, where the bird's nest-shaped Beijing National Stadium is illuminated.

You can also enjoy The Cube at the National Aquatics Centre, where swimming competitions are always held and the Olympic Torch that raised the flames of the 2008 Olympics is on display.

Wangfujing Night Market

If you want to take a night tour of Beijing, you can't miss the markets, where you'll find street food, nightlife, souvenir shops, shopping malls and a variety of craft and food stalls.

Would you dare to eat insects and other bugs? At Wangfujing Market there are starfish and seahorses, scorpions, cockroaches, snakes and spiders for you to try. Another good option is the Donghuamen Market, which has been in operation since 1984, and the Pearl Market, which is dedicated to imitations.

On the third day, take the opportunity to visit the less time-consuming sights you've always wanted to see in Beijing.

TV Tower

If you want the best panoramic views of Beijing you must visit the TV Tower, a modern building in the Financial District with a revolving restaurant, a covered view in winter and an uncovered view in summer, with no glass in between.

It's a worthwhile visit that won't take too long. There are other characteristic Beijing skyscrapers in the city that you can't miss.

Yonghe Temple or Temple of the Lamas

In Beijing you can visit impressive temples, such as the Tibetan Buddhist Yongue Temple, which was used many years ago by the Lama monks as a refuge.

Along the way you will find many Hutongs or alleys. Beijingers come here to pray, which is why it is considered a sacred space.

• Price: approximately €3.
• Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Recommendation: book a tour of the Yonghe Temple to be accompanied by an expert guide and enjoy more of the place.

Panda Garden

Want to see the home of the giant panda? Book a tour of the Panda Garden at the Beijing Zoo.

The zoo houses many species and more than 7,000 animals, including the Manchurian crane, African giraffe, European wild ox and other Chinese species.

There are approximately 30 rooms and the interior resembles other characteristic gardens in the city.

Temple of Heaven or Tian Tan

The Temple of Heaven is characterised by its quietness and houses the Imperial Vault of Heaven, where the Echo Wall is located.

The most special thing about this temple is that its colours, shapes and sounds emulate the universe. It also has the Qinian Dian, a blue circular building that simulates the sky and the Hall of Abstinence, which is a small replica of the Forbidden City.

On the fourth day in Beijing you can indulge your palate with a taste of Chinese cuisine and other special sites, such as the Hutongs and the Old Summer Palace.

Hutongs

You can't leave without taking a tour of the Hutongs, Beijing's characteristic little streets consisting of communities living in square courtyards, in the customs of the ancient dynasties.

Many have been demolished and replaced by modern areas, but you can still find the Quianmen Hutong and the Jinsitao Hutong. If you're looking for a more commercial experience, head to the Nan Luo Gu Hutong, where they sell souvenirs of the city and you can have lunch.

Old Summer Palace

This ruined site attracts history buffs from all over the world. Around it are the stone boat, Fuhai Lake and Fanghu Shengjing, so you can take a walk and explore.

The best museums in the city of Beijing house interesting information about this site.

Gastronomic Tour

To round off your stay, I invite you to book a gastronomic tour where you can sample local food and craft beer and get up close and personal with small businesses run by local Beijing families.

These tours usually take place in the hutongs I mentioned earlier, and the dishes you'll try include noodles and grilled meats. What's more, the best thing is that this one I recommend is in small groups, so you can have more direct contact with the guide and not get overwhelmed during the tour.

Beijing has a great charm, in order to enjoy your 4 days to the fullest, I recommend you:

• Try some Beijing dishes, remember that the idea of travelling is to connect with the culture of the country.
• Do not drink tap water, as it is not drinkable. So you should buy bottled water.
• Don't travel during the first days of October, as China's National Day is celebrated and is usually attended by many locals and foreigners, which clogs up the city.
• Book guided tours that include transport and save a lot of time, as the distance between each attraction is long and there can be additional delays due to traffic.
• Carry a student ID card for special discounts.