Where to go in Beijing

Beijing is huge!!! You need to have a detailed plan of attack when you arrive in this big city, or else you will lose a lot of time figuring out where to go, and how to go.

On a positive side though, most of attractions in the City can be traveled by train, but mind you, these are long train rides. So if you are short of time during your visit, do a lot of research.

Here is a map grabbed online showing how big Beijing is. The area inside the yellow box is the City center. The green arrow on top is the way to the Great Wall, while on the upper right corner is where the Airport is at.

The hotel we stayed in was located in the outskirts of the City, a good 30-45 minutes train ride which costs 10 RMB back and forth. Follow the red line on the map.

Most of Beijing's major attractions are within the city center. Tianamen Sqaure, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Wangfujing and Temple of Heaven are in neighboring streets. But be warned though, when I say the next destination in a couple of blocks away, be prepared to walk for 10-15 minutes. That's how big and long their streets are.

Temple of  Heaven

I'm glad we decided to visit this place (as it's not included in the travel package we availed). Of all the major attractions we went to, this is where I think I saw a lot of local cultural action. There's a choir practicing their songs, old folks playing card games, some doing tai chi, and a lot of wedding pictorials going on.

Nearest Subway: Tiantondongmen
Entrance fee: 30RMB

Summer Palace

According to our guide, this is where Emperors usually spend their summer as weather is a lot cooler compared to The Forbidden City. Our visit was early spring, so weather was near freezing when we came here.

Nearest Subway: Beigonmen
Entrance Fee: 20RMB

Tianamen Square and The Forbidden City

Seat of political powers in Beijing.

Forbidden City being called as it is because commoners are forbidden to enter this city.

South gate of Forbidden City is linked to Tianamen square

Tip: If your hotel is near, bring only the necessary. Security is very strict here and lines to the entrance are very long if you are carrying bags. There's a separate entrance to those without luggage, which is a way lot shorter and quicker!

Nearest Subway: Tianamen East and West
Entrance Fee: FREE

Wangfujing Street

The shopping and street food district.

Be prepared to haggle, haggle and haggle! And if you're brave enough, there are tons of interesting food stalls along the streets! ;)

Nearest Subway: Wangfujing
Entrance fee: FREE

Olympic Park

Where athletes who played in 2008 Summer Olympics game used to stay.

Tip: It's better to go here at night, when the lights are on.

Nearest Subway: Beitucheng
Entrance Fee: 50RMB

The Great Wall

I'd say the most famous of all attractions in Beijing, perhaps in all of China. Bring water as the climb could be long and tiresome.

It is more or less 500 kilometers long, so it is understandable that there are a lot of different sections to enter this place.

We entered through the Juyongguan Wall. It's one of the easiest way to get into (nearest from the city), but could be crowded at some point.

Nearest Subway: As it is too far from the city, there is no subway that goes as far to the Great Wall. I read somewhere that you can take bus from Longze subway station, and take it from there.
Entrance Fee: 45RMB