Beijing 9 days itinerary advice needed

Question

Dear fellow travelers,

We are a group of 6 Malaysian chinese with an average age of 67 years . We will be visiting Beijing for the FIRST TIME end of May to early June this year.

My friend has drafted out a temporary itinerary. We need advice on

1. distance between tourist sites

2. transportation

3.hotels location (3/4 stars )

4. feasibility/suitability of our itinerary

5.cost and other suggestions and recommendation and alteration regarding our combination of the tourist sites of each day.

Day 1.

Morning - Jingshan Park and surrounding

Evening - Hutong

Day 2.

Morning and afternoon - Forbiden city/ Palace museum

Evening - Nearby area ( suggestion needed )

Day 3.

Morning - Tiananmen Square, Zhongsan Park

Afternoon - Ming City Wall ruin Park

Evening - ( suggestion needed )

Day4.

Morning - Summer Palace

Afternoon - Temple of Heaven

Evening _ suggestion please

Day5.

Morning - Mutianyu great wall

Afternoon and evening - choose either Zhangjiakou or Gubei water village for overnight stay

Day 6

still in either Zhangjiakou or Gubei

Day 7.

Morning - return to Beijing

Evening _ Bird nest n cube

Day 8

Shopping ( suggestion needed)

Day 9

Afternoon - leave for airport

Any other suggestion on buying of ticket/ suitable time to visit/ van hiring/ walking street will be much appreciated. Thank you very much

Cha

Answer

Hi Cha,

Here’s a detailed assessment of your 9-day Beijing itinerary considering your group’s age, comfort, and sightseeing efficiency:

General advice: Beijing is a large city with heavy traffic, so relying on metro or private van/driver is advisable. For a group of 6 seniors, hiring a van with a driver is highly recommended for comfort and flexibility, especially for places like the Great Wall and suburban attractions.

Day 1: Jingshan Park and Hutong – Jingshan Park is next to the Forbidden City, so walking distance is easy. Hutong areas like Nanluoguxiang are nearby. Late afternoon or evening is good for exploring Hutongs, as it’s cooler. Avoid too much walking; consider rickshaw tours for seniors.
Day 2: Forbidden City / Palace Museum – Allocate at least 4–5 hours for the Palace Museum. Afternoon can be tiring, so nearby options for evening: Wangfujing shopping street, or a gentle stroll around Qianmen area with cafes and restaurants.
Day 3: Tiananmen Square and Zhongshan Park – Square is open, Zhongshan Park is adjacent. Ming City Wall Ruins Park is in the south; travel by van or taxi recommended. Evening suggestions: Houhai lakes area for a relaxed lakeside walk and local dinner.
Day 4: Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven – Summer Palace is far northwest, Temple of Heaven is in central-southeast. This is a long day, consider taking a taxi or van between sites. Evening: Pearl Market or Silk Market shopping, easy for seniors.
Day 5: Mutianyu Great Wall – About 1.5–2 hours northeast by car. After the visit, you could stay overnight at Gubei Water Village for a more immersive Great Wall experience; Zhangjiakou is farther and less tourist-friendly for overnight stays.
Day 6: Gubei Water Village – Enjoy a relaxed day, walk around the village and short trails on the Wall. Seniors should avoid steep hiking; the cable car is recommended.
Day 7: Return to Beijing – Allocate 2–3 hours driving back. Evening: Bird’s Nest and Water Cube illuminated night view; short walk and photos suffice.
Day 8: Shopping – Recommended areas for seniors: Wangfujing or Qianmen (souvenir and snack shopping) or Sanlitun for modern shopping. Avoid crowded malls during peak hours.
Day 9: Departure – Allow 1.5–2 hours to reach airport from central Beijing. Consider airport transfer by van or taxi.

Additional suggestions:

Buy Palace Museum tickets online in advance; morning slots are less crowded.
Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven are less crowded early in the morning.
Van hiring for the group is practical for Great Wall, suburban sites, and elderly comfort; prices vary around 700–1200 CNY per day for a 7-seater van with driver.
Metro lines recommended for central sites: Line 1 (Tiananmen, Wangfujing), Line 2 (Dongzhimen, Qianmen), Line 4 (Temple of Heaven), Line 10/13 for Summer Palace if driving is not preferred.
Keep hydration, sun protection, and light snacks for elderly travelers, as sightseeing can be tiring.
Walking streets or Hutongs are best explored in the late afternoon or evening for cooler temperatures and lively atmosphere.

Overall, your itinerary is feasible, but Day 4 is quite packed with two distant sites; consider splitting over two days if the group prefers a more relaxed pace. Staying overnight near Mutianyu (Gubei Water Village) is more convenient and allows a leisurely visit.

This plan balances sightseeing, comfort, and senior-friendly pacing.