5 Days in Beijing
- Tasnia Mozammel
- Nov 28, 2019
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 13, 2020
With a history dating back from 3 millennia, Beijing, China's ancient capital is a must-visit destination for tourists! The sprawling megacity is a magnificent blend of ancient and modern architectures with major sites from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Such sites include the Great Wall of China, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven and more.
We (parents and I) took our trip to China in August 2019 as my mother took a teaching contract in Shanghai. Whilst settling her, we visited Beijing and Hong Kong. Our five-day trip to Beijing was an insightful highlight during our time in China. In this post, I seek to share our itinerary, instagrammable spots, major shopping locations, and MUST-NOTE tips before your travel!
Things to Pack:
1. CASH. This is one of the very first obstacles you may encounter when arriving in China. Foreign credit cards are not accepted with the exception of chain hotels for example. Thus, it is VERY important that you take enough cash with you during your travel and tours.
2. WeChat. WeChat is an app ubiquitously used in China. It essentially is a combination of social media, WhatsApp, and your wallet. You should install and create an account prior to arriving in China.
3. VPN. You will not be able to open international applications (Google, YouTube, emails, social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) unless you have a VPN to connect with. Some great VPN networks are Express and Nord. My mother currently uses Betternet and it has been working exceptionally thus far. Some other options may be found on this link. Most of the VPNs offer 1-3 months free trials (download prior to departure as you may not download them there).
4. A Translator App or Dictionary (whichever floats your boat). The language barrier is prevalent in Beijing. The majority of people, even among tourist locations, do not speak English, nevertheless other foreign languages. However, the Chinese people do not fail to surprise as they communicate by speaking through translator apps. Their technological advancements may seem frustrating at first, but they are also incredibly patient and welcoming to tourists.
5. Comfortable Footwear. In China, walking is a major culture. All sites, such as Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, and Forbidden City, are all within pedestrian zones. It's important to have proper footwear when visiting Beijing.
6. An Umbrella. Umbrellas are significant in China as the weather is quite unpredictable. They are also utilized as protection from both rain and shine.
7. Camera! You will be surrounded by picturesque settings, architecture, and history.
NOTE: VPN must be downloaded prior to arrival in China as otherwise it will be blocked. Both WeChat and VPN apply to all parts of China with the exception of Hong Kong, where international sites are not restricted.
Day 1:
We arrived in Beijing from Shanghai via Bullet Train on China's high-speed rail (approximately $80CAD one-way). The distance measures 1,318km and took us under 6hrs, serving a unique experience.
We were welcomed by the friendly staff at the Beijing Marriott Hotel NorthEast upon our arrival around 4 pm. After settling in, my parents and I visited city central and ended up having dinner at PizzaHut as we were unable to find a restaurant with an English menu and English-speaking servers (where translator apps would have been beneficial). Regardless, PizzaHut's Peking Duck Pizza was absolutely savoury.
Day 2:
Although we had done research prior to arriving, our friends and hotel reception suggested a list of ancient must-see sites which included Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and Forbidden City. Thus, on our second day in Beijing, my parents and I ventured out early in the morning to see the Temple of Heaven.
You do not need to book a tour to see the Temple of Heaven in advance, although it may be productive if it's included within a multi-site tour. The tickets can be purchased right at the gate and cost about $8.00CAD per person. The line also moves swiftly.
This location is one of the most insta-worthy spots in Beijing. Thus, I would head arrive early to avoid the tourist crowds. You should also wear comfortable footwear as the imperial complex covers the massive ground, 670 acres to be specific. And yes, you will end up walking all of it.
The Temple of Heaven park will take approximately 2-3hrs of your day, 3-4hrs if you take some time looking around. Many of the religious buildings in the complex serve as museums, so there is much to see. On our way out, we encountered a small shop within the park gates that offered photoshoots. We got to dress like a royal family of the Ming and Qing dynasties pictured below!
Right across from East Gate of the Temple of Heaven, there is Pearl Mall or Hongqiao Market (famous for trading pearls and tourist souvenirs). Everything is bargain-able. I recommend offering a quarter of the price they market at. This is how I returned to Toronto with half my suitcase packed with tea.
Day 3:
On the morning of our third day in Beijing, my family and I were picked up from our hotel at 7 am on our small group tour. I strongly recommend that you book a tour prior to arriving. Beijing is ALWAYS packed with tourism, so all of the tours are most likely to be full.
Our guided tour made five stops: first, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square (close proximity), a famous Jade Museum followed by lunch, then the Great Wall of China (Mutianyu location), and finally, a famous Tea House.
Tiananmen Square is located opposite the entrance to the Forbidden City. The Square is popularly known for the student-led protests held during the 1989 Democracy Movement.
Forbidden City was one of my favourite places to visit in Beijing due to its remarkable architecture and rich history. The imperial palace complex was occupied by the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was forbidden for locals to enter, as the Emperor, his wife, and three thousand mistresses resided within its walls. The Emperor wished to live a long life, thus the purpose of having a great number of mistresses was to expand his bloodline. Only a portion of the entire city (that would take one-three months to tour) is open to the public for daily tours.
There are no trees within the walls of the Forbidden City for a multitude of reasons. Such reasons include assassins being able to hide in trees, and trees' ability to outgrow manmade structures. Thus, there is an isolated garden within the palace complex.
The Emperor's three thousand mistresses were all locals, chosen to leave their homes forever to serve the Emperor within the Forbidden City. Becoming the Emperor's mistress was perceived as an honour to a local family as they were granted a prestigious life. However, no mistress would live over the age of 30. Loss of family and thought of short life often led the women to cry out their sorrows here. From the top of this rock, they could also see the city beyond the walls.
Forbidden City takes up at least half the day to tour as it is a major part of Beijing. It is a must-see location and embodies the rich history of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Our second stop was the Jade Museum followed by a traditional Chinese lunch. Stones are very important in Chinese tradition. Each stone possesses significant and unique properties of life. The jade stone is most popular and known to have the five properties of humanity (wisdom, justice, courage, modesty, and compassion).
The second MAJOR tour spot during our day was the Great Wall of China Mutianyu location.
Mutianyu is located 70km from Beijing city, in the Huairou district. It is one of the greatest preserved section of the Great Wall of China and is strictly accessible only to foreign tourists. Locals are prohibited from entering Mutianyu, hence the section being less crowded. This part of the wall also separates China from Mongolia.
The Great Wall of China was built in the mid-6th Century during the rule of the Ming dynasty. Just the Mutianyu section of the Wall is 23-28ft high, stretching 2,250 metres (7,380ft).
When you have beautiful parents, you have to flaunt them!
Our day 10-hour tour finally ended with a complimentary stop at a famous Tea House where we learned how to make traditional Chinese tea and what they are used for. This part of the tour was like an infomercial that completely sold me. We got to try various types of tea and the Tea House owner offered me a free "Pee Pee Boy" with my purchase. However, teas are 10 times cheaper at markets or groceries.
Day 4:
Because our third day in Beijing was so strenuous, our fourth day was chill. We had a lazy morning with buffet breakfast at the hotel. Then, we head out for some strolling around and shopping. We visited Pearl Market and Silk Market for some souvenirs, and then took a nice walk around Tiananmen Square. Nearby the Square, there are nice shops and restaurants. Due to fatigue and lack of patience to deal with the language barrier, we decided to return to the hotel and have a nice traditional dinner there.
Alternatively, if you're not as exhausted as we were, you could use this spare day to see the Summer Palace.
Day 5:
On our final day, we checked out around 2 pm and headed back to my mom's place in Shanghai via bullet train. Beijing was incredible in terms of its historical spots.
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