How to Spend Three Days in Beijing

Only second to Shanghai in terms of size, Beijing is the centre of politics in China, and it has been for nearly 800 years. The capital city is academically, culturally and economically significant. Located near the Yanshan mountains, Beijing is an excellent starting point for tourists.

1. Three days in Beijing

A traveller who's interested in art, culture and history might need all the time in the world to explore Beijing, and still, it wouldn't be enough. Even if this is the case, if you have three days to start with, you can explore much of the city. There's an endless list of things to do and see in Beijing, which is not surprising as it is home to some of the best tourist attractions in China – among which is a part of the Great Wall of China.

2. Where to stay

Accommodation is excellent, which is something that endears the city to tourists. Finding an apartment hotel Beijing is no hardship; the likes of Ascott Riverside Garden Beijing seem to be trending.

3. Visit the Imperial Palace

Also known as the Forbidden City, the Imperial Palace is one of the attractions that makes Beijing a famous tourist destination. The origin of the palace traces back to the 13th century. It was home to 24 emperors, which earned it the name the Forbidden City; no ordinary person was allowed inside the palace.

This sprawling structure stretches over 720,000 square meters. The palace is fortified by a 10-meter wall, and it is compartmentalized into a ceremonial area, an administrative area and private quarters.

4. The Great Wall of China

This is one of China's most awe-inspiring structures. In Beijing, to be specific, at Badaling Pass, you can walk the length of a section of the Great Wall of China. On your walk, you'll discover many towers and parapets that offer enchanting views of the surrounding scenery. This section of the wall usually gets crowded, so, you may want to sign up for a tour.

5. Shopping at Wangfujing Street

To spoil yourself with shopping and gorge on Chinese food, head to Wangfujing Street. The entire street is lined with street food stalls and shops selling all kinds of things. From clothes to mobiles to sim cards to souvenirs, shops at Wangfujing Street sell everything. There's a range of food choices as well.

6. Tiananmen Square

Known as the world's largest inner-city square, Tiananmen Square can accommodate up to a million people. This was built to celebrate the Chinese Republic's 10th anniversary, and it was also the base of communist China. Apart from its historical significance, the square is popular among tourists and locals for Tiananmen Gate, the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution.

7. National Museum of China

The museum occupies a large part of Tiananmen Square. Second only to the Louvre in Paris, the National Museum of China is the most visited art museum in the world. It was opened in 2003 and went through a complete makeover in 2011. The museum was opened with the purpose of educating people about China's history, culture and more importantly, art. The museum has 48 exhibition halls, and there are over a million artefacts; you might end up spending several hours here.

8. Getting around

The subway system in Beijing is impressive, and it's getting better with every passing year. If you don't want to queue up for tickets every time you want to go somewhere, get yourself a travel card.