My first independent trip to Beijing in 2021: What are the fun places in Beijing? Recommended must-see tourist attractions in Beijing

Number of days：3 days
Time: March
Average cost: 2000 yuan
With whom：a person
Updated: 2022.07.02

Transportation: High-speed Rail

I've always believed that the areas east and south of the Forbidden City are the most worthwhile to explore. This trip to Beijing, I spent a lot of time in this area, truly experiencing the mysteries of old Beijing.

Accommodation: Yingxiangcheng Hotel (Beijing Wangfujing Branch)

The most important factor in choosing this hotel is its location. Located at 9 Shijia Hutong, within the destination area, it's just a stone's throw from Dengshikou Station on Line 5. From this starting point, everything is easily accessible and easily accessible, making it a top choice for accommodation. Located in a hutong, the hotel offers modern, clean facilities. It's also close to Wangfujing, making it convenient for dining, entertainment, and other activities. It truly feels like living in an old hutong in a new way. The front desk staff is incredibly friendly. I originally booked a king-size room with a view from a large window, but upon arrival, I was given a free upgrade to a suite with a bedroom. It's a fantastic value and a delight! Their suites are truly exceptional in Beijing, where land is at a premium. They're over 40 square meters and come with a bathtub and sofa.

Day 1: Shijia Museum, Wangfujing, Forbidden City, Qianmen Street

We bought an afternoon ticket for the Forbidden City and set off after breakfast at the hotel at 9:00 a.m. We first visited the Shijia Museum, which is located in the same hutong as the hotel. It took us about an hour. The exhibition hall inside shows the life in the old Beijing hutongs, with mini models of courtyard houses and biographies of historical celebrities in the hutongs. Afterwards, we walked to Wangfujing, a true shopping paradise in Beijing. Luxury brands abound, the architecture is distinctive, the streets are remarkably clean, and the atmosphere is truly magnificent. After a stroll through the Wangfujing Bookstore, I found an authentic noodle shop and enjoyed a bowl of their signature zhajiangmian (fried bean paste noodles). Afterward, we were ready to head to the main attraction of the day, the Forbidden City. I repeat this three times: bring your ID, bring your ID, bring your ID.

The Forbidden City in Beijing, once the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, is located at the center of Beijing's central axis. Centered around its three main halls, it covers an area of approximately 720,000 square meters, with a floor area of approximately 150,000 square meters. It boasts over 70 palaces and over 9,000 rooms.

Day 2: Gulou East Street, Shichahai, Nanluoguxiang, Guijie Street

Depart from the hotel at 8:00 AM, take Line 5 to Dengshikou, get off at Beixinqiao, and head west to explore.

Beijing's overall layout is based on a north-south central axis, with the Bell and Drum Tower located at the northernmost end of this axis. It marks the western starting point of Gulou East Street. Gulou East Street is approximately 1,098 meters long and 23 meters wide. From east to west and north to south, the hutongs are Xiaojingchang Hutong, Shoubi Hutong, Beiluoguxiang, Nanluoguxiang, Baochao Hutong, Hougulouyuan Hutong, and Caochang Hutong. Shichahai is a historical and cultural scenic spot and a historical and cultural conservation area in Beijing. Located in Xicheng District, the city's central district, it borders Beijing's central axis. With a water area of 336,000 square meters and connected to the waters of Zhongnanhai, it is the only open scenic area in Beijing's inner city with an expansive water surface and the largest and best-preserved historical district in the city. Nanluoguxiang is a hutong located in the Jiaodaokou area, east of Beijing's central axis. It stretches from Guloudong Street in the north to Ping'an Street in the south. It is 8 meters wide and 787 meters long. Constructed during the Yuan Dynasty, it is one of Beijing's oldest neighborhoods, with a history of over 740 years. It is also included in the 25 planned old city conservation areas. Because its terrain is high in the middle and low in the north and south, like a hunchback, it was named Luogouxiang. In the Qing Dynasty, the "Complete Map of the Capital" drawn up in the 15th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign (1750) changed the name to Nanluoguxiang.

Day 3: Mutianyu Great Wall

We chartered a car through the hotel at a reasonable price. We arranged to be picked up at 9:30 am, and in just over an hour, we arrived at our destination, Mutianyu Great Wall.

Beijing's Mutianyu Great Wall[1] is located in Huairou District, Beijing, 73 kilometers from Beijing's urban area. It has a long history and splendid culture, and is known in China and abroad as "The Great Wall, Mutianyu is the most beautiful". The scenic area is full of mountains and the vegetation coverage rate is over 90%. The Great Wall is 5,400 meters long, making it the longest in China[2]. It is also one of the famous Sixteen Scenic Spots in Beijing and a national AAAAA-level tourist area.

The Mutianyu Great Wall was built in 1368 AD by Xu Da, a general under Zhu Yuanzhang, on the ruins of the Northern Qi Great Wall. It is the essence of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. This section of the Great Wall connects Gubeikou in the east and Juyongguan in the west. Since ancient times, it has been a key military location protecting the capital. It boasts famous landmarks such as Zhengguantai, Dajiaolou, and Yingfeidaoyang. The wall remains intact, perfectly reflecting its ancient charm.

I had a good sleep at the hotel on the way back, and the next morning I took the high-speed train back home. A delightful end to my three-day Beijing trip!