Stroll Wangfujing for first tastes of Beijing street food and souvenir shopping — lively and safe for an arrival evening (many stalls open until late).
Start at the vast Tiananmen Square for photos of the Monument to the People's Heroes and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum (mausoleum has separate hours; check queues).
Explore the historic imperial palace complex — buy timed tickets in advance; typically open 8:30am–5:00pm (last entry earlier), allow 2.5–3 hours to see main halls.
Walk the park where locals practice tai chi and visit the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests; park open early and into the evening (Hall usually 8:00am–5:00pm).
Try more Beijing street snacks or sit-down dishes; Donghuamen has many stalls but check hygiene and crowd; alternatively a nearby sit-down can provide a calmer experience.
Explore a well-restored, scenic section with fewer tourists than Badaling; cable car up and optional toboggan down available — Wall access typically 7:30am–5:30pm.
Drive north to the Ming Tombs complex to visit a major imperial burial site and the tree-lined Sacred Way (complex hours typically morning to late afternoon).
Explore the excavated Dingling tomb museum or walk around the larger Changling area; guided tours provide historical context (check which tombs are open).
Visit Olympic Park for exterior photos of the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) and Water Cube; stadium tours may be available with advance tickets (stadium exterior free).
Walk this pedestrian street for handicrafts, local snacks, and traditional architecture — great for buying specialty souvenirs and trying steamed buns.
Join a half-day cooking class to learn dumplings, Peking duck basics, or traditional dishes — most classes include market visits and run 3–4 hours (book ahead).
Use the afternoon to revisit a favorite hutong, or visit a smaller museum like the Capital Museum or National Museum (many museums closed Mondays—check ahead).
Visit Panjiayuan for antiques, crafts and curios — busiest on weekends but open daily; great for relaxed browsing and bargaining (open mornings to early evening).
Allow 1–1.5 hours to Beijing Capital or Daxing depending on traffic and airport; arrive 2–3 hours before international flight departure for check-in and security.