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Beijing

Tourist Attractions in Beijing

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Beijing. Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps.

20 Attractions
★4.5 Average rating
8 Categories

About Beijing

Beijing blends imperial grandeur with neon-lit modernity, making it a city where history is lived at every turn. Wander the vast Forbidden City and imagine emperors pacing the halls, stroll through the serene courtyards of the Summer Palace, or marvel at the centuries-old Temple of Heaven. The Great Wall, a short climb from the city, offers sweeping views and a sense of scale few places match. Dive into lively hutong neighborhoods for Beijing’s street-food-and-culture crossroads, catch a Peking opera performance, or savor iconic dishes like crispy duck. Modern skyscrapers, world-class museums, and a dynamic arts scene round out a destination truly worth exploring.

Top-20 Tourist Attractions in Beijing

The Palace Museum — Museum, rated 4.6/5 1
Museum History MuseumArt Museum

The Palace Museum

4.6 ★★★★★ 16,630 reviews $$$$

The Palace Museum, housed in the Forbidden City in central Beijing, is a sprawling imperial complex that once served as the home of Ming and Qing dynasties’ emperors. Today it preserves a vast treasure of Chinese art and history, with exquisite halls, lacquered thrones, ceremonial objects, ceramics, paintings, and rare manuscripts displayed in meticulously restored halls and courtyards. Visitors can stroll through grand courtyards, learn about ancient court life, and marvel at the museum’s architectural grandeur, with ample guided tours and highlights near Tiananmen Square and Zhongnanhai.

4 Jing Shan Qian Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100009
Opening hours · Today: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Closed now
  • MondayClosed
  • Tuesday8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Wednesday8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Thursday8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Friday8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Saturday8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Sunday8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Good for kids
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Summer Palace — Landmark, rated 4.6/5 2
Landmark Cultural Landmark

Summer Palace

4.6 ★★★★★ 9,740 reviews $$

The Summer Palace in Beijing is a vast, exquisitely designed imperial garden built around Kunming Lake and the surrounding hills. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it blends natural beauty with architectural marvels, from the graceful pavilions and intricate corridors to the grand Long Gallery and the elegant marble boat on the lake. Visitors stroll along winding paths, cruise the waters, and climb Longevity Hill for panoramic views of the surrounding pagodas and hilltop temples. In every season it offers tranquil respite just outside the capital’s bustle.

Haidian District, China, 100091
Opening hours · Today: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM Closed now
  • Monday6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Tuesday6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Wednesday6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Thursday6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Friday6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Saturday6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Sunday6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
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Great Wall of China — Historic site, rated 4.4/5 3
Historic site Historical Place

Great Wall of China

4.4 ★★★★★ 18,925 reviews

The Great Wall of China is a mighty centuries-old fortification winding across northern China, with notable sections near Beijing such as Badaling and Mutianyu. Built to defend imperial borders, it symbolizes China’s ingenuity, ambition and resilience. A visit offers awe-inspiring panoramas, rugged stone paths, watchtowers, and the sense of standing atop a defensive spine that once stretched thousands of miles. Tourists can hike along restored segments, ride a cable car, and imagine ancient caravans under expansive skies. Expect crowds during peak season but unforgettable history, photo ops, and sunrise magic.

Huairou District, China, 101406
Opening hours · Today: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM Closed now
  • Monday7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Friday7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday7:30 AM – 6:30 PM
  • Sunday7:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Good for kids
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Temple of Heaven — Religious site, rated 4.6/5 4
Religious site Place Of WorshipAssociation Or Organization

Temple of Heaven

4.6 ★★★★★ 3,645 reviews $$$$

The Temple of Heaven is a monumental complex in Beijing where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties prayed for bountiful harvests. Set within a vast park, its most iconic buildings include the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the circular Echo Wall, all arranged in meticulous symmetry that embodies ancient cosmology. Visitors can explore ceremonialп spaces, walk the surrounding pine and cedar paths, and witness locals practicing tai chi. Expect striking blue-tiled roofs, exquisite woodwork, and a sense of serene, spiritual history threaded through every stone.

Dongcheng, China, 100061
Opening hours · Today: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM Closed now
  • Monday6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Tuesday6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Wednesday6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Thursday6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Friday6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Saturday6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Sunday6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
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Tiananmen Square — Market, rated 4.4/5 5
Market PlazaHistorical Place

Tiananmen Square

4.4 ★★★★★ 6,710 reviews

Tiananmen Square is an expansive civic plaza in the heart of Beijing, famed for its political history and symbolic power. Surrounded by monumental landmarks, it sits near the Forbidden City, with the Gate of Heavenly Peace at its north and the Great Hall of the People along the west flank. Visitors can glimpse the Monument to the People’s Heroes and the Mao Zedong Mausoleum nearby, and explore the National Museum of China. Expect wide open spaces, disciplined crowds, flag-raising ceremonies, and a powerful sense of China’s past and present.

前门 Dongcheng, China, 100051
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Forbidden City, rated 4.6/5 6
Tourist attraction

Forbidden City

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,677 reviews

Forbidden City in Beijing is the vast imperial palace complex that housed Chinese emperors for five centuries, from the Ming to the Qing dynasties. Covering about 72 hectares and containing roughly 980 surviving rooms, the palatial maze centers on the Hall of Supreme Harmony, gilded roofs, intricate woodwork, and ceremonial courtyards framed by red walls. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it feels like stepping into history while a modern museum preserves priceless treasures. Expect crowds, well-curated exhibits, atmospheric courtyards, and sweeping city views from higher pavilions.

4 Jing Shan Qian Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100009
Opening hours · Today: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM Closed now
  • MondayClosed
  • Tuesday8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Wednesday8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Thursday8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Friday8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Saturday8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Sunday8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Good for kids Cards accepted
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Great Wall of Badaling — Historic site, rated 4.6/5 7
Historic site Historical Place

Great Wall of Badaling

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,482 reviews

Stretching along the northern ridges of Beijing, the Badaling section of the Great Wall stands as one of China's most iconic historic sites. Restored to highlight its imposing watchtowers and winding stone ramparts, Badaling offers sweeping panoramas, crisp air, and a sense of ancient engineering at scale. Visitors can walk restored paths, learn about the wall’s defensive role, and ride a cable car for panoramic views. The site is accessible year-round, with informative displays, guided tours, and nearby villages showcasing local crafts and Sichuan-style snacks.

Yanqing District, China, 102112
Opening hours · Today: 6:30 AM – 4:30 PM Closed now
  • Monday6:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday6:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Wednesday6:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Thursday6:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Friday6:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Saturday6:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Sunday6:30 AM – 4:30 PM
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Jingshan Park — Park, rated 4.6/5 8
Park

Jingshan Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,418 reviews

Jingshan Park is a gracious oasis just north of the Forbidden City in central Beijing, created atop a man-made hill formed from excavated soil after the Ming era. Climb the winding paths to the summit for a 360-degree panorama of the Forbidden City’s golden roofs and jade-green courtyards framed by Beijing’s skyline. The park’s pavilions, ancient cypresses and a centuries-old incense burner lend a timeless charm, while locals practice tai chi and visitors linger for sunset reflections. Comfortable pathways, tea stalls nearby, and a quiet respite after the crowds.

44 Jing Shan Xi Jie, 景山 Xi Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100009
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Beihai Park — Park, rated 4.5/5 9
Park

Beihai Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 1,694 reviews

Beihai Park, a historic imperial garden in central Beijing, traces its origins to the Liao and was expanded by successive dynasties into a public oasis just north of the Forbidden City. The park centers on a large, tranquil lake ringed by pavilions and ancient trees, with Jade Island and the White Dagoba as its defining skyline features. Visitors stroll along leafy paths, admire Buddhist temples, and glimpse centuries of Chinese design, art, and landscape craft. Boat rides on the lake and a chance to glimpse the Marble Boat make for memorable photo moments.

1 Wen Jin Jie, 西安门 Xi Cheng Qu, China, 100034
Opening hours · Today: 6:30 – 9:00 AM Closed now
  • Monday6:30 – 9:00 AM
  • Tuesday6:30 – 9:00 AM
  • Wednesday6:30 – 9:00 AM
  • Thursday6:30 – 9:00 AM
  • Friday6:30 – 9:00 AM
  • Saturday6:30 – 9:00 AM
  • Sunday6:30 – 9:00 AM
Good for kids Cards accepted
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Lama Temple — Religious site, rated 4.7/5 10
Religious site Buddhist TemplePlace Of WorshipAssociation Or Organization

Lama Temple

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,098 reviews $$

Located in the heart of Beijing, the Lama Temple, formally Yonghe Temple, is a grand Buddhist complex set in a former Qing dynasty prince’s residence. It blends Tibetan and Han Buddhist traditions, making it one of the city’s most atmospheric religious sites. Visitors wander its ornate halls and tranquil courtyards to admire elaborately carved pillars, gilded Buddhas, and the revered Maitreya statue. The temple remains an active place of worship, so expect incense, soft chants, and courteous ceremonies. Plan a couple of hours to soak up the sacred hush and architecture.

12 Yong He Gong Da Jie, 国子监 Dong Cheng Qu, China, 100011
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed now
  • Monday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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Yuanmingyuan Park — Historic site, rated 4.4/5 11
Historic site Historical PlacePark

Yuanmingyuan Park

4.4 ★★★★★ 1,241 reviews

Yuanmingyuan Park, the remains of Beijing’s Old Summer Palace, preserves the grandeur of Qing imperial gardens and their dramatic ruins after the 1860 destruction. Visitors wander tree-lined lakes, marble bridges, and pavilions that hint at the palace’s once sprawling scale, blending Chinese, European, and Mongolian design. The site offers a contemplative window into imperial life, with exhibitions and the surrounding parkland offering walks, boat rides on quiet ponds, and seasonal blossoms. It’s a thoughtful contrast to Beijing’s modern streets, rewarding curious travelers with history, art, and tranquil scenery.

275X+67P圆明园 Haidian District, China, 100084
Opening hours · Today: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed now
  • Monday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Sunday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Good for kids
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Prince Gong Mansion — Historic site, rated 4.4/5 12
Historic site Historical LandmarkMuseumHistorical Place

Prince Gong Mansion

4.4 ★★★★★ 1,041 reviews $

Prince Gong Mansion is a sprawling Qing dynasty residence in Beijing’s Xicheng District, built in the 1770s and later expanded into the opulent home of Prince Gong, a pivotal statesman in late imperial China. A superb blend of Chinese courtyard design with European-influenced interiors, its gilded halls, tranquil courtyards, and ornate pavilions reveal imperial life at its peak. Visitors stroll through galleries detailing foreign diplomacy, admire lacquered rooms, and enjoy the serene gardens. It’s a rich, atmospheric glimpse into imperial grandeur and the complex exchanges that shaped modern China.

17 Qian Hai Xi Jie, Xi Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100035
Good for kids
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National Centre for the Performing Arts — Theatre, rated 4.5/5 13
Theatre Opera HouseConcert HallLive Music VenueAuditorium

National Centre for the Performing Arts

4.5 ★★★★★ 675 reviews

Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts is a futuristic, ellipsoid opera house set on an artificial lake just behind Tiananmen Square. Its shimmering titanium shell reflects the sky while a quiet, surrounding ring road keeps the building mostly hidden from view, creating a dramatic moment of discovery when you step inside. Inside, world-class opera, ballet, theater and concerts unfold in superb acoustics and three stages. Visitors can expect sleek contemporary design, careful sightlines, and gallery spaces, dining options, and guided tours that reveal the building’s engineering marvels and cultural ambitions.

2 Xi Chang An Jie, Xi Cheng Qu, China, 100031
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798 Art Zone, rated 4.5/5 14
Point of interest

798 Art Zone

4.5 ★★★★★ 606 reviews

798 Art Zone in Beijing is a former industrial complex in the Dashanzi area that has been transformed into one of the city’s premier contemporary art districts. Its brick-red, postindustrial architecture anchors a labyrinth of galleries, design studios, artist workshops, and quirky cafes, all within a hint of Bauhaus-inflected charm. Visitors browse cutting-edge Chinese and international exhibitions, enjoy street art, and catch occasional performances or markets tucked between courtyards and ironwork. Accessible by subway, it makes for a relaxed day trip blending culture, creativity, and inventive photo opportunities.

2 Jiu Xian Qiao Lu, Chao Yang Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100102
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Beijing Zoo — Zoo, rated 3.9/5 15
Zoo Hiking AreaSports Activity Location

Beijing Zoo

3.9 ★★★★★ 1,789 reviews $

Beijing Zoo, founded in 1906, is one of China’s oldest and most loved zoological parks. Nestled in central Beijing, it combines historic pavilions with modern habitats and a sprawling collection that spans more than 450 species from around the world. The star attraction is the Giant Panda Hall, where visitors can watch these iconic bears munch bamboo up close, alongside other Chinese wildlife such as red pandas and golden snub-nosed monkeys. Expect easy-browse paths, family-friendly exhibits, informative signs, and a full day of animal encounters that make Beijing’s zoological side unforgettable.

137 Xi Zhi Men Wai Da Jie, Xi Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100044
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Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, rated 4.3/5 16
Tourist attraction

Wangfujing Pedestrian Street

4.3 ★★★★★ 731 reviews

Wangfujing Pedestrian Street is Beijing’s flagship retail corridor, a wide, car-free boulevard that runs from Tiananmen Square toward the city’s eastern districts. Lined with centuries-old storefronts, luxury brands, department stores and bustling snack stalls, it offers a quintessential mix of old and new. By day you’ll find fashion finds and lively street life; by night the adjacent Wangfujing Snack Street tempts with skewers, dumplings and exotic bites. Visitors should expect crowded walkways, bright neon, and easy access to nearby attractions like the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

WC66+9GP, Wang Fu Jing Da Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100006
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National Museum of China — Museum, rated 4.4/5 17
Museum Art Museum

National Museum of China

4.4 ★★★★★ 536 reviews

The National Museum of China in Beijing is one of the world’s largest museums, built to house the nation’s vast cultural and historical treasures. Located on the eastern edge of Tiananmen Square, it blends grand architecture with expansive galleries that span ancient dynasties to modern times. Visitors can expect immersive exhibits on Chinese history, art, science, and revolution, plus rotating special exhibitions and multimedia displays. The museum illuminates China’s long narrative through thousands of artifacts, from bronze vessels and imperial robes to revolutionary memorabilia, making it essential for any first-time visitor to the capital.

16 Dong Chang An Jie, 前门 Dong Cheng Qu, China, 100051
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Closed now
  • MondayClosed
  • Tuesday9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Wednesday9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Good for kids
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Beijing Temple of Confucius — Landmark, rated 4.5/5 18
Landmark Scenic Spot

Beijing Temple of Confucius

4.5 ★★★★★ 396 reviews $$

The Beijing Temple of Confucius is a storied temple complex in the heart of the capital, devoted to the sage who shaped Chinese ethics and education. Visitors wander through tranquil courtyards shaded by ancient cypresses, past stately pavilions and the grand Dacheng Hall, where solemn rites once honored Confucian learning. Expect peaceful atmosphere, ceremonial drums during festivals, and elegant stone tablets and carved details that reveal centuries of scholarly heritage. It’s a prime stop for culture lovers, offering evocative portraits of Beijing’s scholarly past and a serene escape from the city bustle.

15 Guo Zi Jian Jie, 国子监 Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100011
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北京鼓楼和钟楼, rated 4.5/5 19

北京鼓楼和钟楼

4.5 ★★★★★ 335 reviews $

Beijing’s Drum and Bell Towers sit side by side in the heart of the city, a pair of historic pagoda-like towers that once announced the hours of imperial Beijing. The Bell Tower, rebuilt in the 15th century, houses a massive bronze bell, while the Drum Tower recalls the city’s drum signals and ritual timekeeping. Today visitors climb winding staircases for panoramic views over the hutong roofs and modern boulevards, and catch traditional drum performances in the drum hall. Expect atmospheric evening illumination, abundant photo opportunities, and a vivid glimpse into Beijing’s imperial and everyday rhythms.

China, Bei Jing Shi, Dong Cheng Qu, Andingmen, Zhong Lou Wan Hu Tong, 临9号 邮政编码: 100009
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Beijing World Park — Park, rated 4.1/5 20
Park

Beijing World Park

4.1 ★★★★★ 154 reviews

Beijing World Park is a sprawling theme park in Beijing that showcases miniature reconstructions of famous global landmarks, from the Eiffel Tower and Taj Mahal to the Colosseum and Statue of Liberty. Visitors wander through scaled-down replicas arranged by regions, making it easy to “visit” many countries in a single afternoon. The park blends photo-worthy sculptures with live performances, carnival rides, and snack stops, creating a playful, family-friendly atmosphere. Expect lots of walking, engaging views, and a lighthearted way to spark curiosity about world cultures without leaving the capital.

Fengtai District, China, 100070
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