One day in Beijing: two plans that work

The most common mistake with one day in Beijing is trying to see everything. Pick one of two plans instead: the imperial centre around the Forbidden City, or a day on the Great Wall. Both are below, with what to book before you arrive. Longer stays are covered in our Beijing itinerary.

Plan A: the imperial centre

Morning: Tiananmen Square. Entry is free, but you need a real-name reservation in advance; there is no walk-in entry. You choose one of four time slots: flag-raising, morning, afternoon or flag-lowering.
Forbidden City. Enter through the Meridian Gate on the south side (Wumen, the only ticketed entrance) and plan 3–4 hours. A Tiananmen Square reservation does not include the Forbidden City, which has its own booking.
Exit north. You leave through the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwumen) on the north side.
Afternoon: the view. Jingshan Park, just north of the Forbidden City, gives a view over the palace roofs.

The plan of the Forbidden City on our tickets page shows the route from south to north.

Not on a Monday: the Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, except Mondays that are public holidays.

Plan B: the Great Wall

Mutianyu is about 73 km northeast of central Beijing, about 1.5 hours by car, and a visit takes about 3 hours on the wall and about 6 hours in total by car or tour (longer by public bus). That is your whole day.

Easiest: a Great Wall tour from Beijing with transport.
On your own: express bus 916 from Dongzhimen to Huairou, then bus H24 to Mutianyu; allow 2–3 hours each way. See Beijing to Mutianyu.
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).

This is also the best plan if your day is a Monday.

What to book before you arrive

What	When
Forbidden City	7 days before the visit date, around 20:00 Beijing time
Tiananmen Square	Reservations open 1 to 7 days ahead; same-day booking is not possible
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

How to book each one: how to book Beijing tickets.

Only a few hours?

If your day is really a layover, see Beijing layover tours: the visa rules and the time you need matter more than the sights.

Frequently asked questions

Can I see the Forbidden City and the Great Wall in one day?

Not comfortably. At Mutianyu, plan about 3 hours on the wall and about 6 hours in total by car or tour (longer by public bus), and the Forbidden City needs 3–4 hours. Pick one.

What if my one day is a Monday?

The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, except Mondays that are public holidays. Go to the Great Wall instead.

Do I need to book Tiananmen Square too?

Yes: entry is free, but you need a real-name reservation in advance; there is no walk-in entry. A Tiananmen Square reservation does not include the Forbidden City, which has its own booking.