By Dan Forteza
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Beijing, China’s capital city, is brightened by its glorious past. Having served as the capital of the country for more than 800 years, it is home to some of the finest remnants of China’s imperial past. That’s why I didn’t skip this massive city even though I only have two days remaining in my China travel itinerary.
After visiting Shanghai and Zhangjiajie, I flew into Beijing to explore both the rich history and the ever-changing modernity of the city. And you probably guessed it right – the Great Wall of China is on the top of my Beijing itinerary must-see list!
Hi there! First of all, I am Daniel – a solo backpacker from the Philippines. If you don’t know my story yet, feel free to read this article where I talked about how I quit my job in order to travel. This article was also featured on TripZilla Philippines.
WHERE IS BEIJING?
Beijing is located in northern China. Its name, which means “Northern Capital”, was applied to the city in 1403 during the Ming Dynasty to distinguish the city from Nanjing (the “Southern Capital”). It is roughly a 2½-hour flight away from Shanghai, almost a 4-hour flight away from Tokyo, or a little more than 4½ hours if coming from Manila.
Language: Chinese
Currency: Chinese Yuan (RMB)
Airport: PEK
Preferred mode of transportation: Subways / Walking
Time Zone: GMT +8
HOW I GOT THERE:
Finding a cheap flight ticket to Beijing, China from Southeast and East Asia is relatively easy (and cheap, too!). Coming from Zhangjiajie airport, I flew into Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) via Air China. PEK airport is the main international airport serving Beijing. It is located 32 km northeast of Beijing’s city center.
I suggest you check Kayak (click HERE) as they usually offer cheap fare rates compared to other booking sites.
Read also: The Avatar floating mountains in my Zhangjiajie itinerary.
HOW TO GET AROUND?
- Metro / Subways are the best way to get around Beijing. The Beijing subway system is modern and easy to use (all signage is in Chinese and English), but often crowded, so don’t expect a seat. Fares range from 3 RMB to 8 RMB.
- Buses are cheap and they go everywhere, but difficult for non-Chinese speakers to negotiate, and often overcrowded. Fare per trip is 2 RMB; with a travel card it becomes 0.8 RMB.
- Bikes have taken over the sidewalks and streets in Beijing in recent years thanks to the bike-sharing craze. Mobike and Ofo make it easy to rent bikes around the city.
- Walking is a great way to build up your travel experience since it can lead you to scenic places that you wouldn’t normally find on a map. I walked a LOT while in Beijing!
- Other means of transportation are taxis and rickshaws, but I don’t recommend them for budget and short-term travelers.
TIP: Your navigation would be much easier if you are using Google Maps. If you don’t have mobile internet, you can use an offline map app called Maps.me.
WHERE DID I STAY?
I arrived at PEK airport at around 1:00 AM from a 2½-hour flight from Zhangjiajie. I took a taxi to get me to my hostel since the airport train service only runs until 11:00 PM. It took about 40 minutes to reach my hostel.
TIP: When using a taxi, make sure you have the hostel address in Chinese characters since most taxi drivers do not recognize English writings.
- Taxi from PEK airport to my hostel – 110 RMB (~15 USD)
- Beijing Alley International Youth Hostel: 2-night stay (book here)
- Hostel room type: 1 Bed in Dormitory-type room
- Hostel rate: 473 PHP (~9.3 USD) per night
MY 2-DAY BEIJING ITINERARY
DAY 1:
1st Stop: Great Wall of China
I was soaked into the scenery of the beautiful Great Wall at Jinshanling-Simatai during a full-day hiking tour! To get away from the crowds at Badaling or Mutianyu, I booked a group day-tour via Viator to take me to a less crowded section of the Great Wall in Jinshanling.
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- Duration (getting there + visiting): Whole day! (Approximately 9 hours)
- Price: 31.99 USD per person
- Meet-up point: Beijing Downtown Travel Service Co., Ltd., No.85 Nanluogu Alley, Jiaodaokou, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Here are the itinerary details of the tour:
- Full-day hiking tour to Great Wall of China at Jinshanling, from Beijing
- Hike from Jinshanling to Simatai West with an experienced and English-speaking guide
- Admire the mountain scenery while walking along a remote 3.7-mile (6-km) part of the Great Wall of China
- Check out 15 guard towers along the route
- Learn about the Ming Dynasty and why the Great Wall was built
- Includes guide, entrance fees, and round-trip transport from Beijing
Whether you’re a solo backpacker or with friends, this full-day hiking tour is TOTALLY RECOMMENDED!
DAY 2:
2nd Stop: Tian’anmen Square
Tian’anmen Square is a city square in the heart of Beijing where Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. It is named after Tiananmen, which literally means “Gate of Heavenly Peace”. The area is heavily secured and often very crowded.
NOTE: Bring your passport or valid ID for security checks.
- Duration: 1 hour
- Nearest Subway: Tian’anmen East or West Station
3rd Stop: The Imperial Palace / Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is massive and historically significant. Expect large crowds but excellent preservation of ancient architecture. You’ll need at least 2–4 hours to explore properly.
Entrance fee: 40 RMB
TIP: A guide is highly recommended to understand the history deeply.
- Duration: 2–4 hours
- Nearest Subway: Tian’anmen East or West Station
4th Stop: Beihai Park
Beihai Park is a peaceful escape near the Forbidden City. It features a large lake, walking paths, and scenic views.
Entrance fee: 10 RMB
- Duration: 2 hours
- Nearest Subway: Tian’anmen West / Beihai North
5th Stop: Beijing Olympic Stadium
The Olympic Park is home to the iconic Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. Great for an easy stroll and photos.
- Duration: 1 hour
- Nearest Subway: Olympic Sport Center Station
6th Stop: Lama Temple
Lama Temple is one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist temples in Beijing.
- Duration: 1–2 hours
- Nearest Subway: Yonghegong Lama Temple Station
7th Stop: Nanluoguxiang Street
Nanluoguxiang is a famous hutong-style shopping street filled with traditional alleyways, cafes, and shops.
- Duration: 1 hour
- Nearest Subway: Nanluoguxiang Station
Final Thoughts
I hope you find this 2-day Beijing itinerary useful. It’s fast-paced but covers many of the city’s highlights.
Dan Travels 