Ancient history, iconic landscapes and sensational cuisine – welcome to China’s enigmatic capital, Beijing, which has 21 million people, fascinating architecture dating back three thousand years and a famous wall. Here’s one way to spend 48 hours in Beijing.
1 day
7:00
An early breakfast in the quiet courtyard of your hotel, Red Wall Garden, is a great way to start an exciting day in Beijing. You won’t be alone – locals are early risers who practice tai chi, so watching the locals around the magical Temple of Heaven is a treat. Visiting the Temple of Heaven in the morning is the best time to visit.
9:00
Your first day in Beijing will always be a history lesson. The perfect stop is the magnificent Forbidden City, the center of the capital. Crowds of tourists will point out that the palace is a place of pilgrimage for all Chinese people.
11:00
Crossing the ten-lane thoroughfare of Chang'an Avenue, often called Shili Changjie (the "Long Street of Ten Li"), is an achievement in itself. On the other side is Tiananmen Square, a reminder of the country's tragic history. Surrounded by the austere Soviet-era government architecture to the east and west, Mao's Mausoleum to the south and his enormous portrait to the north, stands in stark contrast to the imperial grandeur.
12:00
A visit to Houhai Lake and Shihahai Hutongsa gives you a glimpse of one of the city's traditional residential areas. The alleys and lanes are lined with restaurants where you can dine.
13:00
Head to the Summer Palace. In the western suburbs of the city, this beautiful park was a favorite summertime haunt of the emperor, and it’s easy to see why. Kunming Lake is surrounded by hills and greenery, pagodas and verandas. Three hours here will give you peace, contemplation of Chinese beauty and observation of the locals.
19:00
For the perfect Beijing dinner, head to the bustling Dadong restaurant. Families and colleagues sit around large round tables and are served by bustling staff.
Returning to your hotel is via the Wangfujing Night Market, which is more geared towards locals but is also of interest to foreign visitors. Some stalls are not for the faint of heart, as they sell "delicacies" such as fried tarantula and scorpion.
2 day
7:00
An early breakfast gives you the chance to explore the Dongsi Hutongs area just outside the Red Wall Garden Hotel. Walk to the left of the gate where you will find locals sitting outside their courtyards with bowls of noodles, chatting with their neighbors.
9:00
It's time to visit the Great Wall of China. Many parts of the wall are open to visitors, and some are easily accessible from Beijing in half a day.
Jinshanling is the right choice if you want to get away from the crowds that other sections of the Great Wall attract. Just a two-hour drive away, you'll find yourself almost alone with magnificent views of a unique part of one of the world's greatest wonders.
19:00
For one last gourmet meal in Beijing, head to Capital M, where the hotel's rooftop serves Chinese cuisine (with a European twist) with stunning views of Mao's Mausoleum as a backdrop.
Spring and autumn are traditionally considered the ideal times to visit China. During these periods, the weather tends to be warm and dry, in contrast to the cold winters and hot, humid summers of much of the country. April to October is the ideal time to visit western China, with flowering plants and local markets bustling with life. For those heading over high passes or into the mountains, the best time is June to August, when trekking conditions are at their best.
