What to do in Beijing just before and during the Golden Week

Question

Yes! I'm one more traveler that planned a trip to China during the Golden Week. And I have so many questions!

The good news it that we are going to stay at Beijing from September 27 to October 3. Then, we will fly to Seul - South Korea, and return to China in October 10. Then we will continue our trip to Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing, Zhangjiajie and Hong Kong.

So, I thought it would be a good plan for Beijing:

September 27 (Saturday) - Visit Tiananmen Square + Heaven Temple

September 28 (Sunday) - Forbidden Palace, but book the ticket in advance. I don't know if it's better to get a guided tour early morning and associate with another attraction like the Lama Temple

September 29 (Monday) - Great Wall at Mutianyu. I read it's less crowded than Badaling, but I don't know if it will be already hypercrowded.

September 30 (Tuesday) - Summer Palace or is it too risky?

October 1 (Wednesday and National Day) - I just don't know that to do in this day! Maybe just chill around the hotel? We are going to stay near the Beijing West Rail Station. So I thought going to a public park to be a good choice.

October 2 (Thursday and Golden Week) - I just don't know that to do in this day! Is the Olympic Park a good option? Is there another attraction that I'm forgeting?

October 3 (Friday and Golden Week) - Our flight is 13:30, and we plan to get to the airport by metro. Is it a bad idea? Is there another choice?

Answer

Visiting Beijing around the Golden Week is challenging due to extreme crowds, so careful planning is essential. Here’s a detailed guide for your itinerary from September 27 to October 3:

September 27 (Saturday) – Tiananmen Square & Temple of Heaven

Both are less touristy than the Forbidden City and Great Wall, making this a good start.
Temple of Heaven opens early, and morning is the best time to enjoy locals doing tai chi and other exercises.
Spend 2–3 hours in each spot. Tiananmen Square is open-air, so weather can affect timing.

September 28 (Sunday) – Forbidden City & Lama Temple

Book tickets online in advance for the Forbidden City; early morning entry is ideal to avoid crowds.
Consider a guided tour to learn the history, and combine with Lama Temple in the afternoon.
Lama Temple is less crowded mid-morning or early afternoon.

September 29 (Monday) – Great Wall at Mutianyu

Mutianyu is generally less crowded than Badaling but Golden Week crowds may still be significant. Try to arrive by 7:30–8:00 am.
Consider hiring a private car or joining a small group tour to avoid transport hassles.
Take the cable car up to save energy, especially with long walks along the wall.

September 30 (Tuesday) – Summer Palace

Summer Palace is vast, so visiting early in the morning helps avoid peak crowds.
Alternatively, consider visiting Beihai Park or Jingshan Park for a quieter experience with great views.

October 1 (Wednesday, National Day) – Crowded Day Suggestions

This day will be extremely crowded everywhere. It may be best to do low-key activities near your hotel.
Public parks such as Ritan Park or Temple of Heaven park are good options for people-watching and relaxing.
You could also explore local streets or small cultural neighborhoods for a less stressful day.

October 2 (Thursday, Golden Week) – Olympic Park & Alternatives

Olympic Park is a spacious area and less affected by tourist bottlenecks, making it a reasonable choice.
Other options include 798 Art District for contemporary art and relaxed cafes, or Houhai Lakes area for a scenic walk and local dining.
Try to avoid main shopping streets like Wangfujing on this day, as they will be packed.

October 3 (Friday, Flight at 13:30)

Taking the metro to the airport is feasible, but Golden Week may have delays. Consider leaving your hotel by 9:30–10:00 am to allow buffer time.
Alternative: pre-book an airport transfer or Didi to avoid metro crowding.

Additional Tips:

Always carry water, snacks, and hand sanitizer; queues can be long.
Check opening hours in advance; some attractions may close early during holidays.
Use a mapping app like Baidu Maps or Amap to plan routes, as streets may be crowded or closed.
Be prepared for heavy traffic and crowds; patience is key during Golden Week.

With this plan, you balance iconic attractions with low-stress options and park visits, making the most of Beijing before and during the busy holiday period.

What to do in Beijing just before and during the Golden Week

More China Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions