Grab a warm jianbing (savory crepe) from a nearby street stall or a quick hotel buffet to fuel an early start; jianbing is fast and filling for travel to the Great Wall.
Explore one of the best-preserved and less-crowded sections of the Great Wall with panoramic mountain views; cable car, chairlift and toboggan options speed access and descent. (Typical opening ~8:00am–5:30pm in late autumn; check seasonal hours.)
Enjoy a Beijing-style lunch near Qianmen or Wangfujing: try Donglaishun for hotpot-style mutton, or DaDong for roast duck; restaurants typically open 11:00–14:00 and again in the evening.
Walk through Tiananmen Square (open 24h) and enter the Palace Museum (Forbidden City) for a concentrated visit to the main halls and courtyards; Palace Museum generally open 8:30–16:00 with last entry ~15:00 in winter months — enter before last entry time.
Climb the short path to the north hill of Jingshan Park for the classic elevated panoramic view over the Forbidden City and central Beijing — great photo spot and only a brief visit is needed.
Visit the atmospheric Lama Temple, an important Tibetan Buddhist temple famed for its tall wooden Buddha statue and richly decorated halls; typical hours ~9:00–17:00 (verify seasonal closing times).
Wander the narrow hutongs and the lively Nanluoguxiang lane for boutique shops and snacks, then head toward Houhai lakeside for a relaxed early evening stroll; most shops open until 20:00–21:00.
Enjoy an iconic Peking duck dinner at well-known restaurants (Da Dong for creative roast duck, Quanjude for classic style); dinner service typically from ~17:00–21:30, reserve ahead if possible.
If you have energy, sample Wangfujing night snacks and sweets or return to Houhai for waterside bars and live music; many nighttime venues stay open late but street stalls may start closing around 22:00–23:00.