10 days Beijing itinerary

10 Days Beijing Travel Itinerary

Lenn Liu
2209 Words/9 Minutes, By Lenn Liu, Updated March 13, 2026

10 Days Beijing Travel Itinerary

Beijing, one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals in China, boasts more than 3,000 years of urban history and over 860 years as the nation's capital, which is home to numerous historical landmarks and cultural sites. The vast cityscape—ancient and full of charm yet infused with the prosperity of a modern metropolis—nourishes Beijing's unique appeal. If you have ten days to explore Beijing, how can you make the most of your time and fully experience its allure? This guide will provide you with a detailed itinerary for an unforgettable ten-day trip, ensuring that you can explore Beijing to the fullest without missing out on its wonders.

10 Days Beijing Itinerary for Family with Kids

10 Days Beijing ItineraryTemple of Heaven

Day 1: After arriving in Beijing, take a brief break in your hotel, and then experience the impression of Beijing at Qianmen Street and Dashilan. As evening falls, you may also head to Wangfujing Street to experience the prosperity of this international metropolis.

Day 2: Spend a day in Beijing starting from the Temple of Heaven, traveling from south to north as you explore the city's landmarks along the central axis, and visit to the Forbidden City. In the evening, you can enjoy local snacks at Guijie Street.

Day 3: Visit the Beijing Zoo, and after lunch, you may explore the Beijing Planetarium. In the evening, you will walk through Beijing's famous avenue, Chang An Avenue.

Day 4: Take a high-speed train to the Mutianyu Great Wall. In the afternoon, spend the remaining time experiencing Beijing's contemporary vibe in Sanlitun.

Day 5: Wander in the Olympic Park, and then explore the China Science and Technology Museum for an adventure. After dinner, you may visit the Bird's Nest and Water Cube, enjoy the unique architecture under the curtain of night.

Day 6: Visit Shichahai; if in winter, you can also experience fun activities on the ice. In the afternoon, head to South Luogu Lane to explore the charms of Beijing's hutongs.

Day 7: Head to the Summer Palace and take a boat ride on Kunming Lake to appreciate the beauty of China's imperial gardens. Afterwards, visit either Tsinghua University or Peking University. You can also visit the 798 Art Zone, and take a set of creative photos there.

Day 8: On the final day, head to the Universal Studios Beijing or POP LAND and spend a joyful day alongside beloved characters. In the evening, you may watch the nightscape of the whole city at the Wanchun Pavilion in the Jingshan Park.

Day 9: Head to Miyun Reservoir to enjoy the scenery, fish by the stream, and experience mountain rafting. In the evening, return to the downtown.

Day 10: Spend your last day shopping in Wangfujing or Xidan Shopping Center, and pick up souvenirs and local specialties.

10 Days Beijing Itinerary for Seniors with Slow Pace

10 Days Beijing ItineraryRickshaw

Day 1: After arriving in Beijing, rest for a while in the hotel you have reserved, after dinner you may head to South Luogu Lane, Beijing's most famous hutong, where you can immerse yourself in the city's humanistic atmosphere while enjoying authentic local cuisine.

Day 2: Follow Beijing's Central Axis from south to north and experience the city's unique charm along the way. Stroll through Qianmen Street until you reach the Tiananmen Square, and visit the attraction there. Then in the Jingshan Park, climb up to the Wanchun Pavilion for a panoramic view of the magnificent layout of the Forbidden City. Finally, visit Shichahai to experience the relaxed daily life of local residents.

Day 3: In the morning, visit the Forbidden City, admiring this unparalleled masterpiece of ancient architecture. In the afternoon, head to the Prince Gong's Mansion. Then you may visit the Summer Palace, taking a boat ride to appreciate the beauty of traditional Chinese garden design. Otherwise, you can walk in Tsinghua University to feel the vitality of top university.

Day 4: Have a good rest and sleep in, and challenge yourself with a trip to the Mutianyu Great Wall. Then in the afternoon head to the WA Art Architecture Museum, enjoy the unique artwork in a village. In the evening, stay at the Spring Legend Town.

Day 5: Continue north to the Baihe Bay, immerse into the mountains and rivers to enjoy the beauty of the Baihe River. In the afternoon, return to the Yanqi Lake for a visit, and if you are still energetic, you may visit the Shentangyu Natural Scenic Area.

Day 6: After a good rest, visit the Hongluo Temple and then return to the city center. In the evening, stroll through Taikoo Li Sanlitun and experience the modern vibe of Beijing.

Day 7: Take a cycle rickshaw through hutongs, feeling the authentic customs and human feelings of old Beijing. In the afternoon, head to visit the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, and then enjoy the nightscape at Chang An Avenue.

Day 8: In the morning, head to the Tiantan Park and watch the morning exercise of local residents, taking a leisurely stroll through the park and explore landmarks. In the afternoon, you may stroll in Wangfujing Street, and then watch a Peking Opera in the evening.

Day 9: Try some Chinese traditional activities at South Luogu Lane. After lunch, head to Dashilan to enjoy the slow pace of life and experience the city's unique local flavor, while also picking up some souvenirs.

Day 10: On the final day, you may visit the Beihai Park and Beijingfun to experience the lasting imprint of old Beijing.

10 Days Beijing Itinerary for Young Travelers

10 Days Beijing ItineraryGubei Water Town

Day 1: Set out for the picturesque waterside town, Gubei Water Town, experiencing the charm of the northern Chinese ancient town. In the evening, you may watch the music fountain and enjoy a hot spring bathing in the hotel.

Day 2: Wander in the water town, and take a boat floating through the rivers, feeling the romantic atmosphere of Chinese water town. In the afternoon, walk on the Simatai Great Wall, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the illuminated water town as night falls.

Day 3: Head to the Yunxiu Valley to enjoy the tranquil beauty of its pristine forests, that is also the largest hunting ground in North China, and next to it lies the Wuling Lake.

Day 4: Turn to the Xiangshui Lake, taste the sweet spring water from the mountains. At dusk, arrive at the Huairou Reservoir and watch the sunset. In the evening, return to the city center, and head to Guijie Street to explore authentic Beijing cuisine.

Day 5: Walk along Beijing's Central Axis from south to north, taking photos with famous landmarks. Climb up to the Wanchun Pavilion in the Jingshan Park to admire the harmonious order and symmetry of the Central Axis from above. After that, stroll in South Luogu Lane. In the evening, you may also head to Sanlitun and enter a local bar.

Day 6: Visit the Forbidden City, experiencing the charm of this UNESCO World Heritage site. In the afternoon, explore the wild sections of the Great Wall on the outskirts of Beijing. Camp on the Wall, and watch both the sunset and sunrise from this historic monument.

Day 7: Take a boat ride in the Beihai Park, and then ride a bicycle along Shichahai. If you visit in winter, you can also enjoy the ice sports. Visit the Prince Gong's Mansion, then climb the Drum and Bell Towers for a bird's-eye view of the Hutongs.

Day 8: Take a citywalk in Beijing, and visit the landmarks such as the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Dashilan, and the CCTV Tower. In the evening, head to the Olympic Park to visit the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube under the night curtain.

Day 9: Explore the 798 Art Zone to admire the contemporary art and LOFT spaces. In the afternoon, enjoy a picnic at the Chaoyang Park. Then, you can experience Chinese traditional custom at South Luogu Lane.

Day 10: In the morning, enjoy with the movie-themed attractions in the Universal Beijing Resort. Then in the afternoon, spend your last time to Wangfujing Street for shopping.

10 Days Beijing cultural Immersion Itinerary

10 Days Beijing ItineraryPrince Gong's Mansion

Day 1: After a short rest, you may visit Shichahai, many residences of prominent figures from modern Chinese history are located here. Walking northeast from there, you will see one of the iconic landmarks of old Beijing, the Bell and Drum Towers.

Day 2: Spend you morning in the Forbidden City, and then head to Jingshan Park to get a panoramic view of the entire complex. In the evening, watch a Peking Opera performance at the National Centre for the Performing Arts.

Day 3: Get up early to experience the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square, then visit around the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, and the Great Hall of the People. After that visit the National Museum of China, and in the afternoon visit the Prince Gong's Mansion.

Day 4: Drive to the Badaling Great Wall to learn about its significance of China. Then you will explore the Ming Tombs, the tombs of ancient Chinese emperors. In the evening, walk around Guijie Street to explore local delicacy.

Day 5: Wander in the Tiantan Park in the morning to observe the elderly doing morning exercises, and then explore Dashilan on the central axis. In the afternoon, continue to South Luogu Lane, where you can experience traditional Chinese custom and culture such as making dumplings, practicing calligraphy, or learning Tai Chi.

Day 6: Head to the Summer Palace and take a boat ride to appreciate the beauty of this imperial garden, followed by a visit to the Old Summer Palace to reflect on the cruelty of war. In the afternoon, you can also see Peking University or Tsinghua University, and then head to watch the Bird's Nest and Water Cube in the Olympic Park as night falls.

Day 7: Head to explore the Yonghe Temple, the former residence of the emperors of the Qing Dynasty. Close to it lies the Confucius Temple and Imperial College museum, where you can experience the Confucius culture and China's ancient imperial examination system.

Day 8: Head to Ulan Butong, the back garden of Beijing, and enjoy the stunning scenery of the Grasslands along the way. In the evening, you can watch iron-flower performances, fireworks shows, and equestrian performances during the Night of Ulan Butong. At night, you can gaze up at the brilliant Milky Way stretching across the boundless grassland.

Day 9: Stroll along the wooden boardwalk to take in panoramic views of the Ulan Butong Grassland, go horseback riding across the open terrain, and experience the unique culture of the grasslands. You can also try traditional folk activities such as archery and the ceremonial offering of a khata scarf. In the evening, travel to Chengde for a stopover and rest.

Day 10: Return to Beijing, and spend your time in the National Art Museum of China. In the afternoon, stroll along Yandaixie Street to explore its antiques and handicrafts.

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Beijing Itinerary

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Lenn Liu

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