Advice on 3-Day Beijing Itinerary During Labour Day Holidays

Question

Hi everyone,

My husband and I arrive in Beijing on the evening of May 3 and stay in the Dongcheng district (8 min walk from Qianmen station). We leave for Yunnan on May 7 morning, so we have May 4-6 to explore Beijing. We booked our tickets before realizing it’s Labour Day holidays but are now trying to optimize our plan to minimize waiting times and avoid the crowds (as much as possible).

Here’s our rough itinerary:

May 4: Start early with Shichahai Hutongs, Bell & Drum Tower, then head to Lama Temple. Dinner at Ghost Street (Guijie).

May 5: Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) in the morning, then Mutianyu Great Wall after lunch. Hoping crowds thin out as it's the last holiday day—can anyone confirm?

May 6: Forbidden City (Palace Museum), Temple of Heaven, and 798 Art Zone.

Would love any feedback or suggestions—especially on crowd levels and if this plan makes sense logistically. Thanks in advance!

Answer

Your itinerary for Beijing over the Labour Day holidays is quite ambitious, and it’s important to factor in significantly higher crowd levels during this national holiday period. While your plan is logistically possible, there are ways to optimize it to minimize waiting times and make your experience more enjoyable.

Here is a breakdown of your current plan with feedback and suggestions:

May 4 – Shichahai Hutongs, Bell & Drum Tower, Lama Temple, Ghost Street: Starting early in the hutongs is smart. The Bell & Drum Tower can get crowded mid-morning, so arriving around 8:00–8:30 a.m. is ideal. Lama Temple will be busy due to the holiday; consider allocating at least 1.5–2 hours. Dinner on Ghost Street is fine, but reservations or early arrival can help avoid long waits.
May 5 – Old Summer Palace & Mutianyu Great Wall: The Old Summer Palace can be extremely busy on Labour Day. Morning is the best time; arriving at opening (8:00–8:30 a.m.) is recommended. For Mutianyu Great Wall, crowds are heavy during the holiday. Take the earliest shuttle or consider alternative Wall sections like Jinshanling or Simatai if you want a slightly less crowded experience. Crowds may thin slightly on the last holiday day, but expect significant visitor numbers until mid-day.
May 6 – Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, 798 Art Zone: Forbidden City will be very crowded; booking tickets online in advance is essential. Arrive right at opening (8:30 a.m.) to avoid peak congestion. Temple of Heaven is more spacious, so later morning is fine. 798 Art Zone is relaxed and should be manageable in the afternoon; public transport can be busy, so allow extra travel time.

Additional tips:

Purchase tickets online wherever possible to skip queues.
Start early each day; Beijing mornings are less crowded.
Consider using taxis or ride-hailing apps to save time between attractions instead of relying on the subway, which will be very busy during the holiday.
Have flexible timing—crowds may force slight itinerary changes, especially at major sites like the Great Wall and Forbidden City.

Overall, your plan is feasible, but expect large crowds and longer wait times during the Labour Day holidays. Prioritize early starts, online tickets, and flexible planning for a smoother experience.

Advice on 3-Day Beijing Itinerary During Labour Day Holidays

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