Beijing 4-Day Immersive Experience Itinerary: Mist of Jinghua

Beijing 4-Day Immersive Experience Itinerary: Mist of Jinghua

Day 1: Forbidden City Charm (The Forbidden City & Sunset & Night Market)

📍 The Forbidden City (Full Day)

• Lunch Option (Two Options, Select One):

  ① Enjoy Peking duck at Siji Minfu (located in the Forbidden City) with Donghua Gate views from window seats (3-hour queue or paid queuing service available)

  ② Handmade dumpling experience in hútòng private kitchens (leek-egg + pork-scallion fillings)

• In-Depth Tour: Follow the central axis: Hall of Supreme Harmony → Palace of Heavenly Purity → Imperial Garden. Don’t miss Cixi’s jade hairpin in the Treasures Gallery.

• Hidden Gem: Seek the "Yin-Yang Tree" (half-withered, half-flourishing cypress) in the eastern courtyard of Kunning Palace.

• Tips: ① Wanchun Jinfu afternoon tea tickets released at 14:00 ② Enter Jingshan Park via west gate for fastest summit access.

  

📍 Guijie Street (2 Hours)

• Must-Eat: Spicy crayfish at Hu Da Restaurant (April-October special), Beixinqiao lu Zhu huǒ shāo (stewed pork intestines).

• Avoid: ① Long queues after 21:00 ② Stick to old shops under the "Guijie" archway.

Day 1 Itinerary:

• 11:30: Savor Peking duck by the Forbidden City walls (Siji Minfu, paid queuing ¥150/time) OR make & taste authentic dumplings in a hútòng (Two Options, Select One).

• 13:30: In-depth Forbidden City tour.

• 16:00: Enjoy Wanchun Jinfu afternoon tea.

• 18:00: Jingshan Park panoramic view – witness red walls and golden tiles glowing in sunset.

• 19:30: Head to Beijing’s liveliest food street (Guijie Street) for local cuisine.

Day 2: Great Wall Starry Night (Gubei Water Town·Hot Spring·Night Wall)

📍 Gubei Water Town + Simatai Great Wall (Full Day)

• Daytime Activities:

  → Taste Miyun Reservoir fish at Gubei Shaorou Guan (paired with corn bread).

  → Tie-dye handkerchief experience at Yongshun Dye House (1-hour completion).

• Night Highlights:

  → Cable car to Simatai Great Wall (last entry 18:00) – view the town’s lights like a starry river.

  → Soak in Japanese-style hot springs at Yushe Hot Spring Hotel (Hanfu bathrobes provided).

• Tips: ① Bring your swimsuit ② Night Wall open only up to the 5th watchtower.

  

Day 2 Itinerary:

• 09:00: Depart for Gubei Water Town, check into local-style hot spring guesthouse – night view of the Wall while bathing.

• 12:00: Local cuisine tasting.

• 14:00: Wander the town.

• 16:30: Simatai Great Wall (cable car up/down).

• 20:00: Admire Gubei Water Town’s night view from the Wall.

• 21:00: Return to hotel, enjoy hot springs under the stars (The next day, you can get up early to view the Great Wall in the morning light).

Day 3: Art & Providence (798 Art Zone & Temple of Heaven)

📍 798 Art Zone (3 Hours)

• Must-Visit: UCCA Center for Contemporary Art (special exhibitions), iron sculptures at Tiejiangying.

• Experience: Paint a Turpan clay figurine (old Beijing clay sculpture，30-minute completion).

• Secret: The weathered train carriage at Train Head Square is perfect for industrial-style photos.

📍 Temple of Heaven (2 Hours)

• Highlights: Experience the Echo Wall at Huanqiu Altar, count steps of Imperial Vault of Heaven (all multiples of 9).

• Must-Shoot: Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests framed with white marble railings (afternoon backlight).

• Tips: ① Combo ticket includes three main sites ② Lao Beijing Zhajiangmian (noodles with fermented bean paste and minced pork) at west gate.

  

Day 3 Itinerary:

• 09:00: Visit 798 Art Center –admire iron art at punk-style Tiejiangying Museum, create a handicraft at the intangible heritage center for lasting China memories.

• 12:30: Taste Lao Beijing hotpot or Peking duck (Two Options, Select One).

• 14:00: Temple of Heaven – 600-year-old imperial heaven-worshipping site.

Day 4: Royal Garden Odyssey (Summer Palace & Boat Cruise & Pandas)

📍 Summer Palace (4 Hours)

• Essential Route: East Palace Gate → Hall of Benevolence and Longevity → Long Corridor → Marble Boat → Boat to South Lake Island.

• Seasonal Highlights: Spring magnolia viewing at Leshou Hall, autumn lotus remnants at West Causeway.

• Must-Eat: Mini steamed buns set at Tingli Guan (palace-style cuisine).

  

📍 Royal Boat Cruise (1 Hour)

• Route: South Ruyi Gate of Summer Palace → Zizhuyuan Park (operational April-October).

• Family Option: Direct boat to Beijing Zoo for giant panda Menglan (10:00 feeding show at Olympic Pavilion).

• Tips: ① Boats depart hourly ② Separate ticket for the zoo.

Day 4 Itinerary:

• 09:00: Visit Summer Palace – China's imperial garden.

• 12:00: Spring/autumn: Bring a picnic to enjoy flowers/foliage in the garden (summer/winter: no picnic).

• 13:30: Take Royal Boat Cruise from imperial river to Zizhuyuan Park (one of Beijing's most beautiful niche parks) – families/animal lovers can go direct to Beijing Zoo for giant pandas.

• 17:00: End tour, return to hotel.

Local’s Guide

• 🚇 Transport: ① Use "Yitongxing" APP for subway ② Take "Gubei Water Town Special Line" bus to the Great Wall.

• 🍜 Food: ① Jubaoyuan Hotpot in Niujie ② Hutongsi Snacks for pea yellow ③ Daoxiangcun pastries – look for the "Sanhe" logo.

• 🛍 Shopping: ① Forbidden City cultural products at Wangfujing Department Store ② Antiques at Panjiayuan Market (weekend morning market).

• 🎫 Bookings: ① Forbidden City/Temple of Heaven: reserve 7 days in advance ② Night Great Wall: limited tickets, arrive early.

• 📸 Photography: ① Panoramic Forbidden City from Jingshan’s Wanchun Pavilion ② "Golden Light Piercing the Hole" at Summer Palace’s 17-Arch Bridge (around Winter Solstice).