Embark on a one-day adventure through some of Beijing’s most iconic landmarks, starting with the serene beauty of Beihai Park and winding your way through the historic Jingshan Park, the grandeur of Tiananmen Square, and the vibrant Zhongshan Park. This carefully planned route not only offers a deep dive into the city’s rich cultural heritage but also provides plenty of opportunities to admire stunning landscapes, enjoy local cuisine, and capture unforgettable moments. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this itinerary promises a fulfilling and immersive experience in the heart of Beijing.
Route: Beihai Park → Jingshan Park → Tiananmen Square → Zhongshan Park → Tiananmen Square
We started our day by arriving at the North Gate of Beihai Park at 9:30 AM. I recommend entering through the North Gate and exiting through the East Gate, as Jingshan Park is directly across from the East Gate. Once inside Beihai Park, follow the path to the right, where most of the major attractions are located. You can explore all the key sights within about an hour, ending your walk at Xiaoxitian. Afterward, you can retrace your steps slightly to reach the ferry dock and take a boat to the island for a close-up view of the White Pagoda. The ferry ride costs 20 RMB per person, is affordable, and even accommodates strollers.
After arriving on the island, follow the path to Yong’an Temple, where you can climb the White Pagoda. Once you’ve reached the top, you can either take a different path down or return to Yong’an Temple the same way. From here, you can cross Yong’an Bridge to continue your tour of Tuancheng. However, due to time constraints, we opted not to visit the South Gate and instead exited through the East Gate.
By the time we left the East Gate, it was nearly lunchtime, so we chose to dine at Jinfu Hotel, conveniently located nearby. It’s said to be the canteen for the Shanxi Provincial Government’s Beijing office, with good food, though it does get crowded on weekends and closes at 2:00 PM.
After lunch, we entered Jingshan Park through the West Gate. During this season, the park hosts a Peony Festival, and the entrance fee is 10 RMB. After briefly admiring the peonies, we followed the signs to the mountain path. The climb is not steep, mostly consisting of flat paths, so it’s not tiring. In no time, we reached the summit, where you can overlook the entire Forbidden City—a grand and awe-inspiring sight that’s well worth the effort.
After descending, we exited Jingshan Park through the East Gate, walked along Jingshan East Street to Jingshan Front Street, then turned left onto Beichizi Street. Following Beichizi Street to Nan Chizi Street, we eventually reached Tiananmen Square. I recommend walking or biking this route, as you can enjoy views of the Forbidden City’s outer moat, old hutongs, and other traditional Beijing architecture along the way. The walk takes about half an hour.
From Tiananmen Square, cross the Golden Water Bridge and pass through the Gate Tower to reach the entrance to the Forbidden City, where you can take photos of the Meridian Gate and the Gate of Supreme Harmony. It’s a great spot to rest and soak in the historic atmosphere, which feels almost like stepping back in time. Since this route is a one-way path, you can only exit Tiananmen from the sides, not return the way you came. We chose to exit on the left side, which leads directly to Zhongshan Park.
During this season, Zhongshan Park hosts a Tulip Festival, with the blooming tulips creating a stunning display. After exploring the park, you can exit through the temporary southwest gate and return to Tiananmen Square, completing the one-day tour. In total, we walked about 30,000 steps.