Beijing is an enormous metropolis with nearly 20 million inhabitants. It’s advisable to plan ahead carefully what you want to see or do in Beijing. Divide the city in two: one day for the north and one day for the south. This way you’ll lose less time and can see more.
Also discover our comprehensive guide about sights in Beijing for more inspiration!
Discover Beijing in an active way
1. Lama Temple
Something you definitely must do in Beijing is visit the Lama Temple. In some travel guides it’s also called the Yonghe Temple.
The combination of Tibetan and Han-Chinese architectural styles makes this temple very special. To this day it remains one of the most important Buddhist monasteries for Tibetan monks. Keep your camera ready at the following points: the entrance of the building, the Hall of Harmony and Peace (main building), and the Pavilion of Infinite Happiness with its 26-meter-high Buddha.
2. Houhai Lake
Something else you definitely must do in Beijing is visit Houhai Lake. North of the Forbidden City lie three lakes, of which Houhai Lake is the largest. Around the lake you’ll find many bars and restaurants, and in summer also many terraces where you can enjoy the sunshine. Young Chinese people especially come here on weekends. The area is also very popular among cyclists. It’s absolutely wonderful to cycle around the lake and through the small streets.
3. Nanluoguxiang
Something you absolutely can’t miss and must do in Beijing is shopping and strolling in Nanluoguxiang. In this long shopping street you can really buy anything.
Tip: also walk into the side streets where you can find authentic bookshops and lovely tea houses.
Besides the above three must-sees, there’s of course much more to see and do in Beijing. To miss nothing, a bike tour is highly recommended. With this bike tour along the highlights of northern Beijing, you’ll see at least the three highlights mentioned above. Additionally, a bike tour ensures you get a good overview of the city. Afterwards you can easily decide what you’d like to visit more extensively.