2 days in Beijing: an itinerary day by day
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 2 of 4 free; paid: Forbidden City, Great Wall at Mutianyu
- Duration
- 2 days, 9:30 to 17:38 each day
- Start and finish
- Forbidden City → Great Wall at Mutianyu
- On foot
- ≈ 16 min in total
- Transport
- 1 ride, ≈ 22 min
- Lunch
- around 13:00
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- Spring and autumn: no heat on the Wall and long views.
Day-by-day plan
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Day 1 · Beijing09:30–17:38 · 3 places · 8 h 10 min
Forbidden City
· 3 h 30 min · ¥40 Nov–Mar, ¥60 Apr–Oct
- Lunch · 1 h
- 22 min · transport or taxi
Beijing hutongs
· 1 h 30 min · Free
- 16 min on foot
Houhai Lake and Shichahai
· 1 h 30 min · Free
Day 2 · Beijing09:30–13:30 · 1 place · 4 h
Great Wall at Mutianyu
· 4 h · ¥40–45 entry; cable car ¥100–140
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
2 of 4 are free; 2 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 1 | Forbidden City | 61 | 3 h 30 min | ¥40 Nov–Mar, ¥60 Apr–Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Beijing hutongs | 42 | 1 h 30 min | Free |
| 3 | Houhai Lake and Shichahai | 38 | 1 h 30 min | Free |
| 4 | Great Wall at Mutianyu | 19 | 4 h | ¥40–45 entry; cable car ¥100–140 |
| Total | 10 h 30 min | 2 of 4 free |
Tips for each stop
Day 1
- 1
Forbidden City. The imperial palace, now the Palace Museum. 40 yuan November–March, 60 April–October, passport booking only; closed Mondays.
- 2
Beijing hutongs. The lanes of old Beijing between courtyard houses. Free to wander; a rickshaw is about 100–200 yuan.
- 3
Houhai Lake and Shichahai. The largest of the Shichahai lakes: a lakeside walk and bars, ice skating in winter. Free, open 24 hours.
Day 2
- 4
Great Wall at Mutianyu. The best Great Wall section for a first visit: ≈ 70 km from Beijing, towers above the forest. 40–45 yuan; shuttle and cable car extra.
Who this route is for
- A weekend in Beijing
- The palace and the Wall
- Independent or with a driver
- Badaling is closer but much busier
- The Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace are day three
Spring and autumn: no heat on the Wall and long views.
How the two days work
Day one is the one-day Beijing itinerary. Day two is a full day on the Wall. If day one falls on a Monday, swap the days: the palace is closed on Mondays.
Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, and add another one nearby — the times recalculate.
Which Great Wall section to choose
Mutianyu has fewer people than Badaling and fine views, with a cable car to the top. Badaling is closer, ≈ 60 km, and the busiest. Juyongguan is the nearest to the city, a fortress in a pass. Simatai also opens in the evening, together with Gubei Water Town.
Is 2 days in Beijing enough?
For the palace and the Wall, yes. The Temple of Heaven and Lama Temple are day three; the Ming Tombs lie on the way to Badaling.
How to do it right
- Reach the Wall at opening time: tour buses arrive later.
- Wear proper shoes: the steps are steep and uneven.
- Many museums and parks in China admit visitors only with a passport booking — via WeChat, the website or a mini-app, usually 1–7 days ahead. Carry your passport.
- China runs on Alipay and WeChat Pay — link a foreign card before you go; keep some cash yuan as a backup.
- Bring water and snacks: little is sold on the Wall, and it is expensive.
Questions
What to do with 2 days in Beijing?
Day one: the Forbidden City, Jingshan, the hutongs and Houhai. Day two: the Great Wall at Mutianyu.
How much is Mutianyu?
40–45 yuan entry, 100–140 yuan for the cable car, shuttle extra.
How do I get to the Great Wall on my own?
By bus or a car with driver; Mutianyu is about 70 km away.
Which Great Wall section is best?
For a first visit, Mutianyu: fewer people and a cable car.
Is 2 days in Beijing enough?
For the palace and the Wall, yes. The Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace need a third day.
How much does it cost?
About 60 yuan on day one and 150–200 yuan on the Wall with the cable car.
Is it good with kids?
Yes; the cable car gets you up in minutes.
When is the best time for the Wall?
Spring and autumn, early in the day.
Do I need to book the Wall?
Tickets are sold online and at the gate; book ahead on holidays.
How do I pay in Beijing?
China runs on Alipay and WeChat Pay — link a foreign card before you go; keep some cash yuan as a backup.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- Mutianyu Great Wall: hours and tickets
- Wikipedia: Great Wall of China
