7 days in Beijing: a relaxed week | Beijing Ticket Guide

Once you have 7 days in Beijing, the trip stops being a race: you see the main sights without rushing, keep a buffer day, and have room for what a short trip leaves out. Shorter plans are in our Beijing itinerary.

A week at a glance

Day	Plan
1	Forbidden City (not a Monday)
2	Great Wall at Mutianyu
3	Temple of Heaven and hutongs (not a Monday)
4	Buffer day
5	Summer Palace
6	Badaling or another day trip
7	Slow day

Mondays: the Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, except Mondays that are public holidays; at the Temple of Heaven the inner sites usually close on Mondays (except public holidays), while the park stays open; at the Summer Palace the park is open every day, but some sites inside close on Mondays.

Day 6: a second Great Wall section

Mutianyu and Badaling feel different. Badaling is the most visited and most crowded section near Beijing, and it is reachable on your own: bus 877 from Deshengmen (near Jishuitan station, Line 2): about 1 hour, 12 CNY, or suburban train S2 from Huangtudian station (Metro Line 8 or 13) to Badaling station, or high-speed trains from Beijing North station to Badaling Great Wall station; check current timetables. Beat the crowds: arrive at opening time, go on a weekday, and avoid Chinese public holidays (October 1–7, May 1–5 and Spring Festival week). Compare them in Mutianyu vs Badaling.

Day 7: a slow day

An early morning in the Temple of Heaven park: early in the morning, locals come to the park to do tai chi, exercise and play games; you are welcome to watch, respectfully.
A guided hutong tour or a food tour from Beijing tours.

Booking timeline for the week

When	What
Up to 30 days before	Mutianyu: tickets are real-name and can be booked up to 30 days ahead, with one admission per passport per day; bring your original passport
7 days before the visit date	Forbidden City, around 20:00 Beijing time
Booking ahead recommended	Badaling: booking is real-name with your passport, and booking ahead is strongly recommended
1-7 days before (optional)	Temple of Heaven
On the day	Summer Palace

Frequently asked questions

Is a week in Beijing too long?

No. A week lets you see the main sights without rushing, keep a buffer day, and add a second Great Wall section or tours.

Should I visit two Great Wall sections?

If you have time, yes: they feel different. Badaling is the most visited and most crowded section near Beijing; go early: arrive at opening time, go on a weekday, and avoid Chinese public holidays (October 1–7, May 1–5 and Spring Festival week).

When should I book everything?

Mutianyu: tickets are real-name and can be booked up to 30 days ahead, with one admission per passport per day; bring your original passport. Forbidden City: 7 days before the visit date, around 20:00 Beijing time. Temple of Heaven: booking ahead is optional: tickets are real-name and can be booked 1 to 7 days ahead. Summer Palace: no booking needed.