Beijing Holidays

Walk between Ming-era watchtowers as the Great Wall climbs through the mountains of Huairou District. Mutianyu's heavily forested surroundings and varying slopes make it particularly rewarding on foot, while cable cars provide an easier alternative for visitors who prefer a shorter climb.

Follow Beijing's historic north-south spine by bicycle, passing sites including Yongdingmen, the Forbidden City's corner towers, Shichahai and the Bell and Drum Towers. One official cultural cycling route covers around 22 kilometres, linking imperial architecture with neighbourhoods and modern Olympic Beijing.

Take one of several walking routes towards Incense Burner Peak, the highest point in Fragrant Hills Park. Forest paths and imperial garden remains accompany the climb, while autumn transforms the hillsides with some of Beijing's best-known displays of red foliage.

Tackle the 8.5-kilometre Fenghuangtuo trail through woodland, mountain streams and the remains of Ming Dynasty beacon towers. The longer route rises to a 1,529-metre summit and broad alpine meadow, while a gentler five-kilometre option suits visitors looking for an easier walk.

Travel into Beijing's mountainous Yanqing District for a boat journey through Longqing Gorge, around 85 kilometres from central Beijing. The seven-kilometre gorge cuts between steep peaks, offering a striking contrast to the broad avenues, palaces and dense neighbourhoods of the city centre.

Visit the archaeological landscape where fossils associated with Peking Man were uncovered alongside stone tools and evidence of ancient fire use. The UNESCO-listed site combines original excavation areas with a museum tracing prehistoric human development and decades of archaeological research southwest of Beijing.

Travel to the foothills of Tianshou Mountain, where 13 Ming emperors were buried from the early 15th century onwards. Visitors can see selected tombs and the Spirit Way, whose stone guardians and ceremonial layout reveal how imperial burial architecture was integrated into the surrounding landscape.

Walk through the remains of Yuanmingyuan, or the Old Summer Palace, first developed in 1707 and expanded for generations of Qing emperors. Lakes, landscaped gardens and surviving stone ruins recall an immense imperial complex that was devastated by fire during the events of 1860.

Step onto an astronomical site established in 1442 during the Ming Dynasty. The observatory recorded the skies for almost five centuries, while surviving instruments and exhibitions illustrate traditional Chinese astronomy and the scientific exchanges that later developed between Chinese and Western scholars.

Stand beneath the towers that once regulated daily life across imperial Beijing. Located at the northern end of the Central Axis, the Bell and Drum Towers served as the city's official timekeeping centre through the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.

Visit this historic guild hall to see one of Beijing’s surviving traditional opera theatres and learn about Peking Opera heritage. Its restored wooden stage, exhibitions and cultural displays reveal how opera, storytelling and performance became woven into the capital’s artistic identity.

Move through Shichahai’s narrow hutongs to experience a more local side of Beijing, where courtyard lanes, old neighbourhoods, tea culture and long-established food traditions sit beside the lakes. Guided rickshaw routes also share stories about the area’s history and everyday customs.

Wander along Liulichang Culture Street, long associated with Beijing’s scholars, artists and collectors. Browse traditional bookshops, calligraphy studios, paintings, antiques and the Four Treasures of the Study: brush, ink, paper and inkstone, which remain central to classical Chinese artistic culture.

See Beijing’s celebrated imperial craft traditions inside historic Cheng’en Temple, where displays cover techniques including filigree inlay, jade carving, carved lacquer, Beijing embroidery and palace carpets. Workshops and artisan demonstrations help visitors understand the skill behind these protected cultural traditions.

Follow the story of Beijing cloisonné, or jingtailan, from its imperial roots to contemporary craftsmanship. Displays explain the detailed production process, while demonstration areas and hands-on workshops let visitors watch techniques such as wire inlay and enamel filling being practised today.

Celebrate Chinese New Year at one of Beijing’s best-known temple fairs, where folk performances, traditional ceremonies, heritage crafts and festive food fill historic Ditan Park. It is a lively way to experience customs closely associated with Beijing’s Spring Festival celebrations.

See international premieres, Chinese cinema and special screenings during one of the country’s leading film events. Cinemas and cultural venues across Beijing host screenings, industry programmes and public events, bringing filmmakers, actors and cinema audiences together from around the world.

Spend the day listening to rock, pop, hip-hop and independent artists at one of Beijing’s largest outdoor music festivals. Multiple stages, food stalls and large open-air crowds give the event a younger, contemporary atmosphere away from the city’s historic attractions.

See another side of the capital through runway shows, designer showcases and fashion-focused cultural events. Chinese and international brands take part, with activities appearing across commercial districts, cultural venues and creative spaces throughout Beijing.

Hear leading orchestras, soloists and ensembles perform across Beijing’s major concert halls and theatres. The programme spans classical music, opera, chamber performances and contemporary collaborations, attracting musicians and audiences from China and around the world.

Spend an evening among galleries, industrial architecture, design studios, cafés and cultural spaces inside Beijing's best-known contemporary arts district. More than 600 organisations operate across the zone, which hosts thousands of art, fashion, film, music and design events throughout the year.

Watch Peking Opera and other traditional stage arts at one of Beijing's long-established theatres. Founded in 1937, Chang'an Grand Theatre continues to present classic productions while giving visitors a chance to experience elaborate costumes, stylised movement, music and traditional Chinese storytelling.

Board an evening cruise along the Liangma River for a different view of modern Beijing. Illuminated bridges, waterfront architecture and landscaped banks line the route through Chaoyang, with night services turning this revitalised waterway into one of the city's livelier after-dark experiences.

Spend an evening with traditional Beijing entertainment near Qianmen. Performances can include crosstalk, Beijing drum-song, opera-inspired acts and other folk traditions, offering a more informal introduction to local stage culture alongside the ritual of sitting down for Chinese tea.

Switch imperial halls for roller coasters at Beijing Happy Valley, a large theme park in Chaoyang District. Its themed areas combine thrill rides, family attractions and stage performances, with seasonal events and evening entertainment adding a completely different option to Beijing's cultural sightseeing.