BEIJING
Where China’s Past Still Feels Alive
Imperial palaces, ancient hutongs, neighborhood parks and the Great Wall winding across distant mountains. Beijing is where China’s long history becomes part of everyday life.
WHY BEIJING
A city where every layer tells a story.
Few cities bring China’s history to life quite like Beijing. Walk through the grand courtyards of the Forbidden City, get lost among old hutongs, watch locals gather in neighborhood parks, and stand on the Great Wall as it disappears into the mountains.
But Beijing isn’t only about looking back. Contemporary art, creative neighborhoods, cafés and a constantly changing food scene reveal a modern capital growing around its historic heart.
4-5 DAYS
Ideal stay
APR–MAY · SEP–OCT
Best time to visit
HISTORY · CULTURE
Best for
Imperial Beijing
Walk through centuries of Chinese history, from the vast courtyards of the Forbidden City to temples, gates and imperial gardens once reserved for emperors.
Walk the Hutongs
Leave the grand monuments behind and discover a more intimate Beijing among narrow lanes, courtyard homes, tiny shops and neighborhood life.
Walk the Great Wall
Leave the city for the mountains and walk along one of the world’s most extraordinary structures, with watchtowers and ancient walls stretching across the landscape.
Taste Beijing
From Peking duck and dumplings to noodles, breakfast stalls and neighborhood restaurants, food offers another way into the city’s culture.
START WITH AN IDEA
Five Days in Beijing
A five-day journey through imperial landmarks, old hutongs, local neighborhoods, the Great Wall and everyday life in China’s capital.
DAY 1 · First Impressions of Beijing
Arrival → Hotel Check-in → Qianmen → Dashilar → Local Dinner
Arrive in Beijing and settle into your hotel before heading out for an easy first walk. Explore the historic streets around Qianmen and Dashilar, then sit down for your first Beijing dinner.
DAY 2 · Imperial Beijing
Tiananmen Square → Forbidden City → Jingshan Park → Hutong Walk
Begin at the symbolic heart of Beijing before entering the Forbidden City. Take your time walking through its enormous courtyards, gates and imperial halls, then climb Jingshan for one of the best views over the palace rooftops.
Later, leave the monumental city behind and wander into the nearby hutongs for a slower look at everyday Beijing.
DAY 3 · The Great Wall
Beijing → Great Wall → Mountain Walk → Return to Beijing
Leave the city behind for a full day at the Great Wall. Walk between ancient watchtowers, take in the surrounding mountains and experience the Wall at a slower pace rather than simply stopping for a photo.
Return to Beijing in the late afternoon, with the evening free to rest or explore on your own.
DAY 4 · Hutongs, Temples & Local Life
Temple of Heaven → Local Neighborhood → Hutong Lunch → Drum & Bell Towers → Shichahai
Start the morning at the Temple of Heaven, where the surrounding park is often just as interesting as the monument itself. Watch locals exercise, dance, sing or simply spend time together before continuing into Beijing’s neighborhoods.
Later, explore the hutongs around the Drum and Bell Towers and Shichahai, stopping for local food and leaving enough time to wander without a fixed destination.
DAY 5 · Beijing Then & Now
Summer Palace → Contemporary Beijing / Art District → Departure
Spend your final morning at the Summer Palace, walking beside Kunming Lake and through one of China’s most beautiful imperial landscapes.
If time allows, spend the afternoon discovering a completely different side of Beijing through contemporary art, architecture or one of the city’s newer creative neighborhoods before continuing to the airport or railway station.
CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY
Where to Go After Beijing
Beijing can be a journey on its own — or the beginning of a much bigger exploration of northern China.
XI“AN
XI’AN
Ancient China & the Silk Road
Continue from one ancient capital to another. Xi’an was once the eastern starting point of the Silk Road and the heart of several of China’s most powerful dynasties.
See the Terracotta Warriors, walk or cycle along the ancient city wall, explore lively neighborhoods and discover a food culture shaped by centuries of exchange between different peoples and regions.
Compared with Beijing’s imperial grandeur, Xi’an feels older, earthier and closely connected to the stories of the Silk Road.
2-3 DAYS
Ideal stay
History · Food · Ancient China
Best for
QINGDAO
Coastlines, Beer & a Different Side of China
Trade Beijing’s imperial landmarks for sea views, beaches and a much slower coastal rhythm. Qingdao combines historic European-influenced architecture with seafood, local neighborhoods and long stretches of coastline.
Walk through the old city, stop for fresh seafood, drink a locally brewed beer and spend time beside the Yellow Sea.
It’s a refreshing contrast after Beijing — less monumental, more relaxed, and a chance to see a side of China many first-time visitors never expect.
2-3 DAYS
Ideal stay
Coast · Food · Architecture
Best for
QINGDAO
SHANXI
SHANXI
Temples, Ancient Towns & Hidden History
For travelers who want to go deeper into China’s history, Shanxi is one of the most rewarding directions to continue from Beijing.
Ancient temples, wooden architecture, Buddhist grottoes and walled towns are scattered across the province. Explore the Yungang Grottoes, discover remarkable historic buildings and slow down among the courtyards and old streets of Pingyao.
Shanxi receives far less international attention than Beijing or Xi’an, which is exactly part of its appeal. It offers a quieter journey into Chinese history — and often some of the biggest surprises.
4-7 DAYS
Ideal stay
Local culture · Villages · Food · Nature · Slow travel
Best for
WHAT WE CAN ARRANGE FOR YOU
AS MUCH — OR AS LITTLE — AS YOU NEED.
Private Car & Driver
From airport transfers to full-day private transportation and multi-city journeys, we can arrange reliable private vehicles and drivers based on your group size and itinerary.
Private Guides
Explore with experienced local guides. English- and Spanish-speaking guides can be arranged, with other languages available upon request.
Airport VIP Service
Make your arrival or departure easier with VIP airport assistance, including meet-and-assist services and support through airport procedures where available.
Tailor-Made Itinerary Planning
Tell us where you want to go—or simply what you love. We can connect destinations, transportation, experiences and free time into a journey designed around you.
Restaurant Reservations
From local neighborhood restaurants to fine dining and special-occasion meals, we can recommend and reserve restaurants that fit your tastes and itinerary.
High-Speed Rail VIP & Station Assistance
We can help arrange high-speed rail tickets, VIP station services where available, and private transfers between your hotel and the railway station.
Tickets & Experiences
We can arrange attraction tickets and selected local experiences, from cultural activities and food experiences to outdoor adventures.
Hotels & Special Stays
We can recommend and arrange hotels, boutique stays and characterful local accommodation based on your budget and travel style.
On-Trip Support
Plans sometimes change. If you need help during your journey, we can assist with arrangements, communication and unexpected changes along the way.