In addition to popular destinations like Shanghai, Guangzhou, or viral spots like Chongqing, visiting Beijing remains a classic favorite for Indonesian tourists in China due to its many attractions.
Beijing’s Must-Visit Tourist Spots:
– Forbidden City
– Tiananmen Square
– Wangfujing Pedestrian Street
– Summer Palace
– Temple of Heaven
– Great Wall of China (day trip)
Most Beijing tours involve exploring historical sites with centuries of history, which are always bustling with visitors. Many require advance reservations for entry, so plan your itinerary carefully for your trip to Beijing.
Forbidden City
Located in the heart of Beijing within the city’s first ring, the Forbidden City was the center of the imperial government from ancient times. Built in the 15th century, this palace witnessed the rise and fall of emperors and dynasties until the 20th century.
Also known as the Palace Museum (故宫 – Gugong), tickets to the Forbidden City must be purchased at least 5-7 days in advance (tickets sell out fast). Walk-ins are generally not allowed, except for visitors over 60. Tickets cost CNY 60 from April to October and CNY 40 from November to March, available on the official English website or the WeChat mini app (search for 故宫). The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, and you’ll need to select a morning or afternoon slot when purchasing. There are no physical tickets; instead, your passport number is registered for entry, so remember to bring your passport to scan at the gate.
Be prepared for lots of walking, so avoid visiting after a shopping spree. The main entrance is on the south side at Wumen (Meridian Gate 午门). If you’re arriving by subway, the nearest station is Tiananmen East (天安门东). If you’re taking a taxi, it will drop you near Nanheyan Street (南河沿), and you can walk to Donghuamen (动画门大街) and enter through Wumen.
Security is tight, so avoid carrying unnecessary items. Although the area may look crowded, lines generally move quickly, which is typical in China.
After passing through the security gate, you’re free to explore the palace with its famed 999 rooms. Remember, the exit is on the north side (a straight path from the entrance), with the empress and consorts’ quarters on the east side and the princes’ quarters on the west.
There are food and drink stalls inside, as well as clean toilets.
When leaving the Forbidden City, your only transport option is the city bus, which will take you eastward, often stopping by Wangfujing. If time allows, visit nearby Jingshan Park (景山公园) for a great view.
After exiting the Forbidden City, right in front of you is Jingshan Park. This small hill provides a view of the Forbidden City if you climb to its summit (it’s not too high).
Tickets for this park are inexpensive and can be bought on the spot. Just cross the underpass upon exiting the Forbidden City, and you’ll find the ticket counter immediately.
The park offers a pleasant, cool environment for a relaxing walk, though most visitors come specifically to reach the top pavilion.
Wangfujing Pedestrian Street 王府井大街
Wangfujing Street is Beijing’s most famous and oldest pedestrian shopping street. While the street itself is long, the southern part is exclusively for pedestrians. Here, you’ll find numerous shopping malls (Beijing Department Store is the oldest), branded stores, and the Apple Store at the apm mall.
For an authentic Peking duck meal, there’s no better place than Beijing, particularly at Quanjude Restaurant (全聚德王府井店). The main dish, Roasted Peking Duck, has a crispy, glossy skin. The chef serves the duck tableside, slicing it freshly for each guest. Half a Peking duck costs CNY 138.
Tiananmen Square 天安门广场
Directly south of the Forbidden City is Tiananmen Square. Although it’s possible to visit both the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square on the same day, the vast area requires careful planning to avoid overexertion.
I recommend visiting them on separate days. Pair Tiananmen Square with a visit to Qianmen Street.
Entry to Tiananmen Square requires a reservation via WeChat, which is free and should be made at least one day in advance.
Visitors can enter from any side, but passport and baggage checks are conducted at each gate. Tiananmen is known for its heavy security presence.
A highlight here is the flag ceremony, which locals gather to watch between 5:00 and 5:30 PM.
From here, you can head to Qianmen for more shopping or dining. Qianmen is a pedestrian street with a more traditional atmosphere than Wangfujing.
Qianmen Pedestrian Street
Qianmen is a stunning pedestrian street at night. If traveling by metro, exit at Qianmen (前门) or Zhushikou (珠市口).
For Beijing souvenirs, this is the place to go, with various shops selling snacks and trinkets for gifts.
Qianmen also has branches of Peking duck restaurants like Quanjude and Siji Mingfu Roasted Duck (四季民福烤鸭店大栅栏店), with potentially shorter lines than other locations.
For more specialized souvenir shops, check out Dong Lai Shun (东来顺饭庄), located in a small alleyway.