7‑Day Beijing Autumn Adventure – Mid‑October

Day 1: Arrival & Central Highlights

Morning: After settling in, take a leisurely stroll across Tiananmen Square (free, open 24 h) to soak in the historic atmosphere.

Afternoon: Explore the Forbidden City (tickets ¥60, pre‑book at the official site, open 8:30‑17:00, last entry 16:30) and admire imperial treasures; allocate about 2½ hours.

Evening: Wander through Wangfujing Street for famous street foods like candied hawthorn and scallion pancakes (≈¥50 per person, stalls open until 22:00).

Day 2: Temples & Imperial Gardens

Morning: Visit the serene Temple of Heaven (ticket ¥15, open 6:00‑21:00) and watch locals practicing tai chi; 2 hours is ideal.

Afternoon: Head to the Summer Palace (ticket ¥30, open 7:00‑17:30, last entry 17:00); cruise the Kunming Lake and explore Longevity Hill (≈3 hours).

Evening: Enjoy the lively lakeside vibe of Houhai with its bars and night‑time scenery (free, open 24 h, about 2 hours).

Day 3: Great Wall & Iconic Cuisine

Morning: Depart early for the Mutianyu Great Wall (ticket ¥180 incl. shuttle & cable car, pre‑book online, open 7:30‑18:00); spend 4 hours hiking and taking photos.

Afternoon: Return to the city and relax at your hotel or explore the nearby village of Mutianyu for a glimpse of rural life (optional, free).

Evening: Savor a classic Peking Duck dinner at Quanjude (≈¥200 per person, reservations recommended, open 11:00‑22:00).

Day 4: Cultural Art & Night Markets

Morning: Discover the spiritual Lama Temple (Yonghe Guan) (ticket ¥25, open 9:00‑17:00); allocate 2 hours.

Afternoon: Wander the contemporary 798 Art District (free, galleries open 10:00‑18:00) and browse boutique shops and cafés.

Evening: Indulge in spicy delights along Ghost Street (Guijie) where restaurants stay open until 2:00 am; budget around ¥80 for a hearty dinner.

Day 5: Wildlife & Shopping

Morning: Visit the Beijing Zoo to see giant pandas (ticket ¥20, open 7:30‑17:00, last entry 16:30); 2 hours recommended.

Afternoon: Explore the free National Museum of China (open 9:00‑17:00, closed Mondays) for a deep dive into Chinese history.

Evening: Shop for silk, electronics, and souvenirs at the bustling Silk Market (free entry, open 9:00‑22:00).

Day 6: Historic Parks & Performance

Morning: Stroll through the imperial Beihai Park (ticket ¥15, open 6:00‑21:00) and enjoy the lake‑side pavilions.

Afternoon: Take a rickshaw tour of classic Hutongs like Nanluoguxiang, discovering hidden courtyards and cafés (free, 2 hours).

Evening: Experience a dazzling acrobatic show at Chaoyang Theatre (ticket ¥180, pre‑book, performances at 20:00).

Day 7: Modern Landmarks & Farewell

Morning: Explore the Olympic legacy at the Bird’s Nest Stadium and the interior of the Water Cube (ticket ¥80, open 9:00‑18:00).

Afternoon: Shop for designer brands and international fashion in Sanlitun (free, open 10:00‑22:00).

Evening: Conclude with a refined dinner at Da Dong Roast Duck (≈¥220 per person, reservations advised, open 11:30‑23:00).

Time and Cost Estimates

• Tiananmen Square – 0.5 h – ¥0
• Forbidden City – 2.5 h – ¥60
• Wangfujing Street Food – 1.5 h – ¥50
• Temple of Heaven – 2 h – ¥15
• Summer Palace – 3 h – ¥30
• Houhai Lakes – 2 h – ¥0
• Mutianyu Great Wall – 4 h – ¥180
• Peking Duck (Quanjude) – 2 h – ¥200
• Lama Temple – 2 h – ¥25
• 798 Art District – 2 h – ¥0
• Ghost Street (Guijie) – 2 h – ¥80
• Beijing Zoo – 2 h – ¥20
• National Museum of China – 2 h – ¥0
• Silk Market – 2 h – ¥0
• Beihai Park – 2 h – ¥15
• Hutong (Nanluoguxiang) – 2 h – ¥0
• Chaoyang Theatre Acrobatic Show – 1.5 h – ¥180
• Bird’s Nest Stadium – 2 h – ¥0
• Water Cube – 1 h – ¥80
• Sanlitun Shopping – 2 h – ¥0
• Da Dong Roast Duck – 2 h – ¥220
• Total Estimated Cost – ¥1,335

Tips

To extend your stay, add a day trip to the **Ming Tombs** or the **Jingshan Park** for panoramic city views. If you need to shorten the itinerary, combine Day 5 and Day 6 by visiting the zoo in the morning and the hutong tour in the afternoon, then skip the evening show. Remember to download a Chinese payment app (Alipay or WeChat Pay) for smoother transactions at markets and street stalls.