Beijing in 2 Days: everything you need to know

Visit the Forbidden City, walk through the mythical Tiananmen Square, visit the Silk Market, take a trip to the Great Wall of China... Beijing is one of the most important and traditional cities in the country and also one of the largest, so discovering all its attractions in just two days is difficult, but with a good itinerary it is possible. Are you up for it?

If you really want to see Beijing in 2 days, the tour should be intense, with little rest time and following an itinerary based on the proximity of the attractions, so you can save time on transfers and do more activities in less time.

For the first day I suggest a tour of the old part of the city, visiting the emblematic sites that mark the epicentre of Beijing, from the millenary imperial residences, such as the Forbidden City, to the most representative market in Beijing, the Silk Market.

Visit the Forbidden City, the former residence of the Chinese emperors.

The first site of the tour will be the Forbidden City, which is an architectural complex in the heart of the capital and was built during the Ming Dynasty in the 15th century. This fortress was home to the emperors for over 500 years and is considered one of the country's most important cultural treasures.

The Forbidden City is a masterpiece of medieval Chinese architecture and often captivates visitors. During the tour you will see the capital's most luxurious palaces and gardens and some of Beijing's finest temples. This attraction is undoubtedly part of the grandeur of China's imperial past.

Today, the Forbidden City is a museum that has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco and can be visited on your own or as part of a guided tour.

• Price: the entrance fee is approximately €12 per person.
• Location: Forbidden City, Beijing.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30am to 5pm.

Walk around Tiananmen Square, a Beijing landmark

The next stop on the first day is Tiananmen Square, which you can reach from the Forbidden City in about a 10-minute walk or by Metro Line 1. This is one of the largest squares in the world and is located in the centre of the capital. It is famous for its political history and has been the scene of many important events in China's modern history.

Tiananmen Square is the site of the Mao Zedong Mausoleum, the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum of China. The square is also famous for the 1989 student protest, which culminated in the Tiananmen Square massacre and made it a national symbol of resistance.

No visit to Beijing is complete without a tour of Tiananmen Square, so take the time to explore the square and walk around all its nooks and crannies, including the Heavenly Gate, a Tibetan symbol of the Chinese capital. You can walk around the square on your own or book a tour of Tiananmen Square.

• Price: Admission is free.
• Location: Tiananmen Square, Beijing.
• Hours: Open 24 hours.

Don't miss the Temple of Heaven, one of the most important temples in China

To get to the Temple of Heaven from Tiananmen Square you can take a taxi, Metro Line 5 or the Beijing hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus. This temple is a masterpiece of Chinese architecture and is part of a religious complex that was used by the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors to offer sacrifices to heaven and ask for a good harvest. It is also included in some of the best tours of Beijing.

Located in the Xuanwu district, the Temple of Heaven has four main halls, each with its own ceremonial function. The main room of the complex, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, is a striking circular wooden construction without a single nail, and is considered one of the most impressive structures of its kind in the world.

Please note that the complex containing the Temple of Heaven is very large, so if you want to visit it in its entirety it will take between 3 and 4 hours. Ideally, to follow the itinerary and if you have a short stay planned, you should only focus on the main building.

• Price: The entrance fee is approximately €5 per person.
• Location: Tiantan 1, Dongcheng, Beijing.
• Opening hours: daily from 8am to 5pm.

Relax on Qianmen, Beijing's shopping street

Qianmen is one of the oldest and busiest historical streets in the Chinese capital. It is located south of Tiananmen Square and is known for its traditional buildings, shops and restaurants, making it the ideal place to shop for goods and souvenirs or take some of Beijing's best food tours.

On Qianmen Street you can experience the traditional Chinese way of life while enjoying the historic architecture and hutongs and sampling the local food at the many restaurants and stalls found in the area.

To get to Qianmen Street from the Temple of Heaven you can take Metro Line 5, the tourist bus or a taxi, although please note that travel time may vary depending on traffic and your chosen mode of transport, as traffic jams in Beijing are very common.

Tour the popular Silk Market

The Silk Market in Beijing is one of the most popular places to buy silk and other products in the city, as well as being a popular place to learn about the local idiosyncrasies and customs. You can get there from Qianmen Street on Metro Line 3.

Here you will find a variety of shops selling clothes, jewellery, watches and electronics. If you are interested in silk, you will also find a wide selection of items, from bed linen and curtains to suits, scarves and ties. In addition, you will also be able to learn about the production of these products.

It is important to note that the Silk Market can be a very busy and chaotic place, with many vendors trying to attract customers. Therefore, you should be aware that bargaining is a common practice and it is normal for you to be able to negotiate prices before making a purchase.

• Price: Admission is free.
• Location: Xiushui Dong Jie 8, Beijing.
• Opening hours: daily from 9am to 9pm.

Enjoy a Kung Fu show

To end the first day, there is nothing better than opting for a traditional Kung Fu show, which is an experience that combines martial arts with theatrical performances. One of the most popular shows is the Kung Fu Legends show, which takes place at the Red Theatre.

Most of the shows are presented in a dance and acrobatic format with visual effects and live music. In addition, the performers are usually young students of the Beijing Kung Fu Academy, and in the shows they perform jumps, kicks, punches, spins and more, all synchronised with sound and lighting.

These shows will allow you to discover Chinese culture and martial arts in a theatrical setting. It is also a good option for those who don't have time to learn kung fu, but want to experience the thrill of seeing it in action.

For the second day of your trip I suggest a tour of the Great Wall, one of the classic monuments of Chinese history, as well as a visit to the Summer Palace, which was home to the medieval emperors of several dynasties, and Jingshan Park, one of the largest in Asia.

You can end your short 2-day stay in Beijing with a panoramic view of the city from the Olympic Tower, which was built in 2008 as the epicentre of the Olympic Park and marks the most modern part of the city, in contrast to the markets and hutongs of the old part.

Take a trip to see the Great Wall of China

A trip to China would not be complete without visiting a fragment of the Great Wall, which is one of the world's most famous ancient wonders. From Beijing you can discover one of the best sections of the construction, which is Mutianyu, located about 80 kilometres north of the capital. This section is known for its spectacular views and natural scenery, and is ideal for those looking to avoid the crowds of tourists.

To get to Mutianyu from Beijing you can book a bus transfer to the Great Wall of China, or if you prefer a more comprehensive option, you can book a Great Wall of China tour. This is the best option if you're planning a short stay.

Mutianyu is quite a challenging hike, as the Great Wall of China is steep and there are many stairs, but the panoramic views of the Chinese countryside and surrounding mountains are totally worth it. These tours will give you the unique experience of immersing yourself in China's rich history and culture.

Visit the Summer Palace, its lakes and gardens

Booking a tour of the Summer Palace is a must. It is an ancient imperial building with a large green area, an artificial lake, historic temples and a large area of gardens and pavilions.

During your tour of the palace you can visit the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion, Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. In addition, there are Chinese opera performances and other cultural activities, especially if you plan to visit Beijing in summer.

Please note that the palace is one of the main attractions in the capital, so I recommend that you book in advance to avoid delays at the entrance, especially if you plan to make a short visit around the city. You can reach the Summer Palace on Metro line 4 or on city buses 203, 330, 331, 332 and 333.

• Price: The entrance fee is approximately €9 per person.
• Location: Xiushui Dong Jie 8, Beijing.
• Opening hours: daily from 6.30am to 6pm.

Walk through Jingshan Park, Beijing's Central Park.

If you want to see one of the most picturesque green spaces in the Chinese capital, you can't miss Jingshan Park, which is known as Beijing's Central Park and is notable for its artificial hill, which offers a panoramic view of the Forbidden City. Jingshan Hill was built during the Ming Dynasty and became a popular place for hunting, reenacting Chinese emperors and holding religious ceremonies. Today, it is considered a sacred site.

At the top of the hill, you can also see the Wanchun Pavilion, which has characteristic medieval Chinese architecture. In addition, there are five other peaks, each of which is crowned by another pavilion. The gardens of the park also have a variety of flowers, trees and shrubs and numerous paths, which form a beautiful landscape with the snow and can be discovered if you visit Beijing in winter.

Jingshan Park is a popular place for tourists and local people. Visitors can use the site to relax or to stroll through the gardens and enjoy the tranquillity and natural beauty. The best alternative to get to the park from the Summer Palace is to use Metro Line 4.

• Price: Admission is free.
• Location: Jingshan Park, Beijing.
• Opening hours: Open 24 hours a day, every day, although some attractions in the park may have different opening hours.

See the best panoramic views of the city from the Olympic Tower

To close the trip and finish discovering the activities you can see and do in Beijing, the best alternative is to visit the Olympic Tower, which is one of the most iconic modern monuments of the city and offers a great show at night, as the construction is illuminated with a series of LED lights that constantly change colour, creating fascinating visual effects.

From the top of the tower, you can also enjoy a panoramic view of the city including the most important skyscrapers, such as the China World Trade Center and the Beijing TV Center, which glow brightly. You can also see the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven.

If you visit Beijing you cannot miss the Olympic Tower, which is the highest point of the Olympic Park and is a structure that represents, at the same time, the best of futuristic design and architecture and the strength of modern China.

• Price: The entrance fee is approximately €15.
• Location: Kehui South Road, Olympic Park in Chaoyang, Beijing.
• Opening hours: 7am to 11.30pm.