Beijing, the capital of China, has a long history and traditional culture to learn. Of course, there are lots of things to do no matter it's your first time travel to Beijing or lives here for years. These are quite popular things to Beijing, let's figure it out!

1. Great Wall of China

Hiking one of a section of Great Wall would be the first things to do in Beijing. Centuries-old history calling us to explore, step on the precipitous and uneven stone, enjoy the overwhelming landscape as the wall hovering on the edges of the mountain and shaping like a dragon. 

2. Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square, the largest city in the world and heart of the country as it’s the place where Chairman Mao announced the foundation of the Republic of China on October 1, 1949. It sounds crazy but it’s true that most of the Chinese dream of watching the flag raising ceremony in the early morning especially in the National Holiday.

3. Forbidden City

Forbidden City, listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world, was the palace for the emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties for more than 500 years. You will immerse in Chinese history and marvelous architecture, and get lost in the intricate labyrinth of squares, halls, gates, pavilions, temples, etc.

4. Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven is the largest and most representative existing masterpiece among China's ancient sacrificial buildings. The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for a good harvest. Appreciate the spectacular buildings and learn the hidden Chinese culture. Besides, it has been quite popular for local people exercising Tai Chi in the early morning.

5. Summer Palace

It declared the Summer Palace as a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. Wander around in the royal retreat, enjoy beautiful Kunming Lake and hike the Long Longevity, appreciate every gate, pavilion, hall with history, or you can take a boat ride to enjoy the charming scenery.

6. Jingshan Park

Jingshan Park is a beautiful royal garden back the Forbidden City which worth having a leisure walk here. Traveler can overview of Beijing and grand Forbidden City on the top of Pavilion of Everlasting Spring.

7. Ming Tombs

The tombs for thirteen emperors of Ming dynasty were located in the suburb with a vast of 29652 acres. The outstanding tombs are Changling, the biggest tomb and best-preserved ground buildings in the complex. While Dingling is the only one that has been fully opened for archeological exploration.

Changling

Dingling

8. Hutong

Hutong means narrow lanes formed by rows of courtyards where old Beijing residents lived. People say that the real culture of Beijing is the culture of the Hutong and Courtyards. The alleys give a wonderful glimpse into yesterday’s world, the old way of life and traditional Beijing culture. Ride a traditional rickshaw and explore delicious hidden food here are the most popular things to do in Beijing.

9. Lama Temple

Lama Temple, the biggest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing, is a popular worship place for locals. With 300 years of history, Lama Temple has three world-record masterpieces, including the giant wooden Buddha, 500 arhat statues, exquisite machilus niches.

10. Beijing Zoo

It’s the place where you would see lovely giant pandas, enjoy their sleeping, playing, nibbling bamboo as you wish. Besides, the zoo also has many other animals here, such as monkey, giraffe, birds, cow, turtles etc. A kid-friendly place for travel.

11. Olympic Park

It's the hosting place for the 2008 Olympic Games with unprecedented architectures of Bird's Nest and Water Cube displaying colorful lights casting a bright and dazzling world in the evening. It’s a landmark of the Beijing city now!

12. Nanluoguoxiang

The best place with typical Chinese hutong architecture and fascinating commercial entertainment, take a leisurely stroll to experience an interesting collision between Old Beijing culture and modern civilization. Experience the vibrant of the old Beijing and explore local various souvenirs here.

13. Beihai Park

The beautiful royal park near the Forbidden City mixing of lake activities, temples, pagoda and fascinating buildings. Definitely worth a couple of hours to roam around.

14. National Centre for the Performing Arts

It's a popular landmark in Beijing and provides fabulous music, opera and theater performances in this spectacular building. A combination of sound and beauty. The shape of the building looks like a gigantic egg floating in the water. In the evening, it reflects glistening colorfully. Worth enjoying live music or dance which will give you a unique travel experience in Beijing.

15. 798 Art Zone

It’s not just a zone for old factories, but a fabulous art zone collects galleries, coffee shops, sculptures, boutique shops, paitings, etc. If you are an art fan, don’t hesitate to come here to experience the quirky vibe of this area, lots of things to do and explore. 

16. Kungfu Show

You must have seen Kungfu in the television when you are a kid and most of the people knew Chinese Kungfu from Bruce Lee. Luckily, you’ll see the fast-paced, energetic Kungfu show performed by the best practitioners in China.

17. Acrobatics Show

The young performers display immense skill, agility and strength as they execute gravity-defying balancing acts, contortions, aerial maneuvers and more. Be amazed at the complicated body movements and give them rapturous applause from the bottom of your heart.

18. Golden Mask Dynasty Show

The show takes Sanxingdui civilization as the background, it is an ancient romantic legend, some remaining memories from the ancient times. See the unique 360 degrees turning stage in this theater, the powerful visual impact which combines with sound, light, fire, electricity, dance, magic, acrobatics and other forms of art.

19. Peking Opera Show

Beijing Opera is a national treasure with a history of 200 years. It is a synthesis of stylized action, singing, dialogue and mime, acrobatic fighting and dancing to represent a story or depict different characters and their feelings of gladness, anger, sorrow, happiness, surprise, fear, and sadness.

20. Wangfujing Street

A row of luxury shopping malls, just like the Avenue des Champs-Elysees. In the corner of the narrow street, gathering various delicious snack food, some are even quite special for most travelers, like the scorpion and other bug food!

21. Peking Roast Duck

The most famous Beijing food, Peking Roast Duck, is a must-eat food when you're in Beijing. Enjoy the delicious duck and learn the basic knowledge of this popular Beijing cuisine, most people will recommend it because it's the popular things to do in Beijing.

22. Hot Pot

The delicious hot pot should be on the list when you travel to Beijing, boiling meat, vegetable, bean product and seafood etc in the essence soup-stock, could be spicy or light soup base on your flavor, sip them with the different sauces, you will know how great it is when you taste it!

23. Houhai Lake

A vast tranquil lake in the daytime, which is a good place for walking. While in the evening, this area reveals its jollification with rows of bars, spreading its melodious live music. Grab a cup of beer and enjoy the rippling lake under the reflection of colorful neon lights.

24. Fragrant Hill Park

Long been praised for the red leaves in autumn, and it's also a botanical garden and historical sites in China. Explore ancient temples and appreciate enchant scenery along the way. A good place for hiking and escaping from the bustling Beijing.

25. Shilinxia Glass Viewing Platform

It is claimed to be the largest sightseeing platform in the world, hanging 32.8 meters out from the cliff with a jaw-dropping scenic view. The breathless feeling of walking above the glass platform brings shakes and challenges to visitors.