Breakfast → Liulichang → Lunch → Forbidden City → Afternoon Tea → Wangfujing → Dinner → Foot massage
No matter where you are staying, you can conveniently reach our first destination of the day—Xuanwumen Subway Station Exit G—via subway or taxi.
Along the way from subway station to Liulichang, you will find a KFC, a Luckin Coffee (Zhuangsheng Plaza Central Office Building), and a McDonald's. It is recommended to have a light breakfast, as the ideal entry time for the Forbidden City is around 1:00 PM, and we will have lunch around 11:30 AM. You can adjust your breakfast intake based on your appetite. McDonald's and KFC: Both are located by the roadside and are easy to find.
Whether you have breakfast at the hotel or wait until you reach Xuanwumen, you can easily get to our first destination—the west entrance of Liulichang West Street—by subway or taxi.
⏰Opening Hours: Open all day 🗺Address: No. 57 Liulichang West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 📷Recommended visit duration: 2 hours Introduction to Liulichang: It is a famous cultural street in Beijing, originating from the Yuan Dynasty. At that time, a kiln factory was established here to produce yellow glazed tiles exclusively for the royal palaces. By the Ming Dynasty, the factory had relocated, but the name remained. In the Qing Dynasty, this area became a hub for scholars who came to Beijing for the imperial examinations, leading to numerous bookstores and shops selling cultural supplies, fostering a strong cultural atmosphere. In the 38th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign (1773), the opening of the Siku Quanshu compilation office greatly boosted the development of Liulichang. The Qing court ordered the assembly of over 2,000 scholars nationwide to come to Beijing to compile the Siku Quanshu, leading to a boom in the book trade. Bookstores in Liulichang flourished, transforming it into a renowned cultural street rich in antiques and literature. Many literati, scholars, and artists left their marks and works here. Today, Liulichang is divided into East Street and West Street, gathering various arts such as the four treasures of the study, calligraphy, painting, mounting, engraving seals, and more. Here, you can feel the profound heritage of traditional Chinese culture. Of course, the most important aspect is that this area gathers the finest Chinese brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, as well as ancient books and paintings. These items were highly favored and extensively purchased by the Qing Dynasty royal family. Here, you can find many exquisite items that are rarely seen elsewhere. Daiyuexuan →Rongbaozhai →China Bookstore →Yidege
Now, we offer you several options, and you can choose what you like.
The best time to enter the Forbidden City is 13:00-13:30. Considering the travel time along the way, you'd better arrive at the subway before 12:30. If the water in your backpack runs out, remember to replenish at least 2 bottles of drinking water per person along the way.
💰Average Cost per Person: 2 RMB, no reservation required ⏰Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 🗺Address: East side of Tian'anmen, East Chang'an Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 📷Recommended visit duration: 30 minutes The Working People's Cultural Palace, originally named "Tai Miao" (Imperial Ancestral Temple), was the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties enshrined their ancestors. It is the largest and most complete ancestral temple complex in the world. The palace features the world's largest hall made entirely of golden nanmu wood, making it an astonishing architectural masterpiece. The Value of Golden Nanmu How valuable is Golden Nanmu, a rare type of wood? A seedling costs about 10 RMB, while a thousand-year-old Golden Nanmu can sell for 250 million RMB. Why is it so expensive? 1.It requires very specific growing conditions and has a very slow growth cycle. 2.Trees that develop the beautiful golden patterns are very rare. 3.Ancient Chinese nobility favored this wood so much that little was left for future generations. The thousand-year-old Golden Nanmu used as structural pillars in this hall is even more valuable. There are 68 giant Golden Nanmu pillars, each worth 2.8 billion RMB, totaling over 100 billion yuan in value. Historical Anecdote: During wartime, the Tai Miao was looted, and 120 ceremonial golden dragon halberds were taken. However, the invaders did not recognize the Golden Nanmu, sparing these invaluable pillars. It is said that the oldest cypress tree here was personally planted by Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di) of the Ming Dynasty, and it is now over 600 years old.
💰Average cost per person: 40 yuan ⏰Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM 📷Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
After touring the fourth stop, the Hall of Preserving Harmony , if you have the stamina, this route offers a deep dive into the Forbidden City's treasures. The heart of the Inner Palace consists of the Palace of Heavenly Purity , the Hall of Union , and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility , collectively known as the "Three Rear Palaces." These were the residences of the emperor and empress. Flanking these palaces are the Eastern and Western Six Palaces, where the concubines lived.
After touring the fourth stop, the Hall of Preserving Harmony, if you are feeling tired, you can choose a shorter route. After visiting the Hall of Preserving Harmony, proceed directly to the Palace of Heavenly Purity, then continue through the Hall of Union and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, and finally reach the Imperial Garden. This will save you at least an hour and a half to two hours of walking.
To make it convenient for you to reach the next stop in your preferred way, we offer two options: bus and taxi.
⏰Opening Hours: All day 📷Recommended visit duration: 1.5-2 hours Introduction to Wangfujing Pedestrian Street Wangfujing's history dates back to the 13th century during the Yuan Dynasty when it was initially a small village named "Dingzi Street." In the Ming Dynasty, it was renamed "Ten Princes' Street" due to the construction of ten princely residences. During the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, it was named "Wangfujing Street" after a sweet public well at the southern end of the street. This well disappeared in the 20th century but was rediscovered and preserved during renovations in 1998. Wangfujing Pedestrian Street is 892 meters long and about 40 meters wide. It is not just a street but a symbol of prosperity and a memory of history. It is one of Beijing's oldest and most famous commercial streets. Here, you will find century-old shops alongside international brands and products. In ancient times, emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties often visited Wangfujing. Today, it is a must-visit for anyone coming to Beijing. If you have the energy, you can start your city tour of Wangfujing right away. However, considering it might be evening by now and the Forbidden City has likely tired you out, you might want to relax at one of the following tea and coffee spots.
If you need a break, we recommend a few unique tea and coffee shops:
💰Average Cost per Person: Free ⏰Opening Hours: 10:00—22:00 🗺Address: No. 253 Wangfujing Street 📷Recommended visit duration: 30 minutes-1 hour Introduction to Wangfujing Department Store Located on Wangfujing Street, this was the first large-scale department store built in Beijing after the founding of the People's Republic of China. It opened in September 1955 and is known as "New China's First Store." Today, it remains at the forefront of China's retail industry. The decor is rich in Chinese flavor, and it often hosts marketing activities with Chinese characteristics. The above-ground part of the store belongs to the present, selling various well-known brands, while the underground part is a nostalgic trip to the 1970s. Introduction to Heping Guoju Located on the 2nd basement floor of Wangfujing Department Store, covering approximately 2,400 square meters, Heping Guoju is an immersive experience space combining nostalgic scenes, traditional cuisine, and modern technology. Modeled after the Beijing cityscape of the 1980s-1990s, it makes you feel as if you have entered a time machine, presenting the life of Beijingers 40 years ago before your eyes. At the same time, you can participate — taste some snacks and treats from back then, drink some soda with the flavor of those years... You will surely sigh with emotion that in just 40 years, Beijing has changed so much... There are many specialty stores here that can bring you novel experiences —
⏰Opening Hours: 10:00-22:00 🗺Address: Wangfujing Street No.301, Dongcheng Beijing It features many Chinese trendy sports and outdoor brands, as well as local cultural and creative products. Its cyber-themed decor, interesting brands, and trendy clothing attract many young people.
⏰Opening Hours: 10:00-22:00 🗺Address: WF Central, No.269, Wangfujing Street West Block F L2 210 Dongcheng Beijing A globally renowned concept store brand, spanning three floors and featuring many high-end brands.
Here we recommend you 4 restaurants, so you can easily eat something worth eating.
After finishing your meal, this day should come to an end. However, your body may be very tired from the journey and the day's activities. You can try our special recommendation for today—experience a traditional Beijing-style relaxation activity: foot massage and full-body massage.
If you're not interested in leisure activities or want a drink after a massage, you can choose from the following locations:
Of course, if you don't want a drink, we also have Plan C. After a satisfying meal, let's take a break and then head out to find some shared bikes. You can usually scan blue or green bikes with Alipay. At this time, there are generally many bikes available near subway stations. Once you have a bike, let's head to Chang'an Street and ride westward for about ten minutes to reach Tiananmen Square. We can ride slowly through the area, admiring the lights of Chang'an Street. If you want to enjoy the joy of cycling, you can continue westward to Xidan, appreciating the night view of Chang'an Street. Alternatively, you can take a ride around Dongjiaominxiang to experience its historical charm at night, then circle around Tiananmen Square to see the solemn Monument to the People's Heroes and the brilliantly lit National Centre for the Performing Arts. Of course, you can do all of the above, as you please. When returning the bike, you can do so at any subway station except the Tiananmen area or within designated marked areas.
Considering this full day, you have likely walked 10-20 kilometers and must be very tired. If you have more plans for tomorrow, try not to stay up too late. If you feel exhausted today, we recommend using our "Leisure Tour" guide tomorrow. The morning itinerary is very relaxed and perfect for those who have had a busy day. Good night. If you enjoyed today's itinerary, please leave us a positive review. It will be very helpful for others planning to travel to China. Of course, if there is anything you were not satisfied with, please let us know promptly. This will help us continuously improve our services. Thank you very much！
1. This guide is not suitable for use on Mondays, as the Forbidden City is closed on Mondays. Of course, if you choose this guide, we assume you can book tickets to visit the Forbidden City; we also provide reliable reservation methods that require booking 7 days in advance. You can purchase tickets on-site, although there is a small chance of tickets being sold out.
2. Please wear comfortable shoes; there will be quite a bit of walking today.
3. Try to carry a power bank to ensure your phone stays charged.
4. Carry at least one bottle of drinking water.
5. Please do not bring too many items, especially knives and fragile items. Selfie sticks and rod-like objects are not allowed in the Forbidden City; if you must bring them, you will need to store them at the security check, and you can collect them at the east or north exit when you leave.
6. Please make sure to bring your passport.
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★ 5.0 / 5 · 14 reviews from app travelers
For a retired couple who love history, this was the perfect Beijing day. Liulichang's calligraphy shops set the tone — brushes, ink stones and scrolls you can actually touch. Then the Forbidden City itself: we took the route through the Working People's Cultural Palace first, which frames the palace walls beautifully, before walking the courtyards. Our guide brought six centuries of palace politics to life. A day that rewards slow walking.
I came to Beijing for the old, but this route made me appreciate its layering. The Forbidden City is immense — even half a day only scratches it, and that is fine. I loved how Liulichang's ancient bookshops sit so close to Dover Street Market and the Joy City mall on Wangfujing. That jump from imperial to contemporary, sometimes within a few hundred metres, is exactly the Beijing I wanted to understand.
You see pictures, but nothing prepares you for the sheer scale of the Forbidden City. It's massive. I could have spent days wandering around. This app was a lifesaver, providing a logical route so I didn't get hopelessly lost. It highlighted key spots, so I made sure to see the incredible treasures and ancient clocks. It turned what could have been an overwhelming experience into a fascinating journey through imperial history. Absolutely essential for a visit here.
For a history-and-art-focused traveler, this is a classic done right. Liulichang felt like stepping into a scholarly world—brushes, ink, seals, old books—before the main event: the Forbidden City. What I valued most was the way the itinerary removed decision fatigue; I could concentrate on architecture, ceremonial spaces, and the sheer scale of the palace complex instead of navigating logistics. Wangfujing added a modern contrast, and finishing with Chinese-style relaxation/foot therapy was genuinely helpful after hours on stone courtyards. Food and drinks were varied and thoughtfully placed (the “old Beijing” snacks plus specialty lattes/tea drinks made the day feel complete).
Von der Papier-und-Pinsel-Straße Liulichang direkt in die Verbotene Stadt – viel interessanter, als sich einfach ins Gewühl zu stürzen: Erst versteht man Papier, Tusche und Pinsel, dann bekommt der Thronsaal seinen Kontext. Welche Tür man wann nimmt, war alles vorgegeben – ich als Mutter mit Kind habe am meisten Angst vor Improvisieren vor Ort, und dieser Tag verlief ohne Hektik.
This was my imperial-history dream day. Liulichang had that old-school cultural shopping feel—brushes, ink, antiques energy—without being a tourist trap vibe. The Forbidden City was massive (way bigger than my mental map), and having a clear route mattered a lot in winter when you don’t want to stand around confused. Wangfujing was fun for a modern city contrast and snacks. The massage option at the end was clutch again—warmth + recovery after hours of walking. Biggest benefit: it turned an overwhelming “must-see” into a smooth, digestible experience.
More ideas for a day you’ll remember.
Self-guided tour
Self-guided tour
Self-guided tour