Beijing 2 Days Guide: Imperial Gardens, Academic Temples & Hutong Nightlife
From Forbidden Grandeur to Lakeside Charm—Unlock Beijing’s Imperial Legacy and Local Flavors
Preparation before departure
Route Overview
- Day 1 Tiananmen Square (1.5 hours)
- The Palace Museum (3 hours)
- Jingshan Park (1 hour)
- Nanluoguxiang (1.5 hours)
- Day 2 Summer Palace (3 hours)
- Old Summer Palace (2 hours)
- Tsinghua University/Peking University (1 hour)
- Shichahai (2 hours)
Budget estimate
**$90-$130 per person**
Hotels
Jingyuan Courtyard Hotel(Book on Trip.com) Experience old Beijing culture in a traditional courtyard setting.Hotel supports English
Hilton Beijing Wangfujing(Book on Trip.com) Located in the city center, convenient transportation, and rich surrounding attractions.Hotel supports English
Must-eat foods
Peking Duck:Classic choices include Quanjude and Bianyifang.
Zhajiangmian:A local specialty, recommended at Haiwanju.
Hot Pot:Popular choices include Donglaishun and Jubao Yuan.
Douzhi and Jiaoquan:Traditional Beijing breakfast, experience authentic flavors.
Tour route details
Day 1 | Tiananmen Square + The Palace Museum + Jingshan Park + Nanluoguxiang
Tiananmen Square (approx. 1.5 hours)
The largest city square in the world, visit the Monument to the People's Heroes, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, etc. Take Metro Line 1 to Tiananmen East Station.
<a href="https://www.gotochinanow.com/custom/the-palace-museum/2946" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff9800; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-thickness: 2px; font-weight: bold; transition: all 0.3s ease;" onmouseover="this.style.color='#333333'; this.style.textDecorationThickness='3px';" onmouseout="this.style.color='#ff9800'; this.style.textDecorationThickness='2px';"> The Palace Museum👈 </a>(about 3 hours)
Admission:$17.61,
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The largest and best-preserved wooden structure ancient architectural complex in the world, learn about Ming and Qing history. Walk from Tiananmen Square.
Jingshan Park(about 1 hour)
Admission:$31.11,
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The best place to overlook the entire Forbidden City, the park also features the site where Emperor Chongzhen hanged himself. Walk from the north gate of the Forbidden City.
Accommodation Guide
Hilton Beijing Wangfujing(Book on Trip.com) (about 1.4km from Forbidden City)
the hotel supports English
Food Guide
** (Shuan GBeijing Hotpotuo)** (approx. $15-$25 per person)
Donkey Burger (Lü Rou Huo Shao) (approx. $4-$6 per person)
Special Gifts
Palace snacks: such as "court candy", "almond cake", "dragon beard cake", etc., packaging retro palace style
Day 2 | Summer Palace + Old Summer Palace + Tsinghua University/Peking University + Shichahai
<a href="https://www.gotochinanow.com/custom/the-summer-palace/2951" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff9800; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-thickness: 2px; font-weight: bold; transition: all 0.3s ease;" onmouseover="this.style.color='#333333'; this.style.textDecorationThickness='3px';" onmouseout="this.style.color='#ff9800'; this.style.textDecorationThickness='2px';"> Summer Palace👈 </a>(about 3 hours)
Admission ticket is about $30.00,
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The largest and best-preserved royal garden in China, visit Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill, etc.Take Line 4 of the subway to Beigongmen Station.
<a href="https://www.gotochinanow.com/custom/yuanmingyuan-park/2954" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff9800; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-thickness: 2px; font-weight: bold; transition: all 0.3s ease;" onmouseover="this.style.color='#333333'; this.style.textDecorationThickness='3px';" onmouseout="this.style.color='#ff9800'; this.style.textDecorationThickness='2px';"> Old Summer Palace👈 </a>(about 2 hours)
Admission ticket is about $1.38,
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Once known as the "Garden of Gardens," learn about historical changes. Take a taxi or bus from the Summer Palace, about 15 minutes.
Tsinghua University/Peking University (about 1 hour)
Top universities in China, experience the academic atmosphere. Take a taxi or bus from the Old Summer Palace, about 10 minutes.
Shichahai(approx. 2 hours)
A famous historical and cultural area in Beijing, beautifully lit at night, suitable for walking and photography.
Take a taxi or bus from Tsinghua University/Peking University, about 20 minutes.
Accommodation Guide
Houhaiyuan Hotel (Beijing Gongwangfu Nanluoguxiang Branch)(Book on Trip.com) (about 650m from Shichahai)
the hotel supports English
Food Guide
Sugar Calabash (approx. $2 per person)
Douzhi(Fermented Mung Bean Milk) (approx. $2-$3 per person)
Jiaoquan(Crispy Fried Dough Rings) (approx. $2-$3 per person)
Special Gifts
Old Summer Palace Souvenirs，The statue of the animal head of the Chinese zodiac
Planning the rest of your trip?
Compare hotels and flights on Trip.com.