Beijing, the capital of China, is a sprawling metropolis where ancient imperial history meets state-of-the-art modernity. Home to the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and countless UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it offers an unparalleled window into 3,000 years of Chinese civilization.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Great Wall at Mutianyu
The most popular and highly recommended Great Wall section for visitors. Mutianyu is well-restored with 22 watchtowers along a scenic ridgeline. The cable car up and toboggan slide down make it accessible to all ages. Far less crowded than Badaling with more impressive mountain scenery.
Highlights: 22 watchtowers · Cable car and toboggan · Excellent mountain panoramas · Spectacular autumn foliage
Great Wall at Badaling
The most-visited section of the Great Wall in China and the most accessible from Beijing via direct S2 high-speed train from Beijing North Station. Highly restored and well-facilitated. Visited by over 10 million people per year including 400+ world leaders. Less dramatic scenery than Mutianyu but historically significant.
Highlights: Direct high-speed train access · China Great Wall Museum · Best infrastructure and facilities · North side is steeper and less crowded
Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town
The most dramatic section of restored Great Wall near Beijing, featuring knife-edge ridges and towers with near-vertical approaches. The adjacent Gubei Water Town is a beautifully rebuilt Qing dynasty-style waterway village at the foot of the wall. The evening 'Night Wall' illuminated experience is unique in China. Highly recommended as an overnight trip.
Highlights: Night Wall illuminated experience (5-9pm) · Knife-edge ridge watchtowers · Gubei Water Town · Best Great Wall at night photograph
Ming Tombs (Shisanling)
The burial complex of 13 Ming dynasty emperors spread across a valley at the foot of Tianshou Mountain. The Sacred Way lined with stone animal and official statues is the highlight. The Dingling Tomb with its excavated underground palace and Changling's massive Hall of Eminent Favor are the main visiting sites.
Highlights: Sacred Way stone statues (36 pairs) · Dingling underground palace (excavated) · Changling Hall of Eminent Favor · Beautiful mountain valley setting
Tianjin
China's fourth-largest city is just 30 minutes from Beijing by G-train and offers a completely different atmosphere: European-style concession architecture, a vibrant food scene, waterfront promenades along the Haihe River, and the famous Porcelain House. Tianjin's street food scene is world-class, with goubuli steamed buns and mahua twisted pastries its most famous specialties.
Highlights: Italian, French, British, German concession district architecture · Haihe River waterfront promenade · Goubuli steamed buns (a century-old institution) · Ancient Culture Street · Tianjin Eye ferris wheel
Chengde Imperial Mountain Resort
The summer retreat of the Qing emperors is UNESCO listed and contains China's largest imperial garden (twice the size of the Summer Palace) and eight spectacular outer temples including the extraordinary Puning Temple modeled on Potala Palace. While technically doable as a day trip by high-speed train, an overnight stay is strongly recommended.
Highlights: Imperial Mountain Resort gardens (UNESCO) · Puning Temple - replica of Potala Palace · Putuo Zongcheng Temple (Little Potala) · Rehe River scenery
Xidu Valley (Xidugou)
A scenic river gorge valley in the mountains west of Beijing, popular with Beijingers for rafting, hiking and escape from city heat. The clear mountain river flows through dramatic gorge scenery with rapids suitable for white-water rafting in summer. Traditional mountain villages and chestnut orchards add rural charm.
Highlights: White-water rafting (summer) · Gorge hiking trails · Swimming in mountain pools · Traditional village atmosphere
Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site
UNESCO World Heritage Site where fossilized remains of Peking Man (Homo erectus pekinensis) were discovered in the 1920s, providing evidence of human habitation dating back 700,000 years. The site museum houses replicas of the fossils (originals were lost during WWII) and explains the prehistoric significance of the Zhoukoudian caves.
Highlights: Homo erectus fossil discovery site · UNESCO World Heritage recognition · Site museum with fossil replicas · Evidence of fire use 500,000 years ago
Multi-day tours from Beijing
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from BeijingWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start early — most popular day-trip destinations get crowded by mid-morning.
Check return transport times before you leave — missing the last train or bus can be costly.
Carry water, snacks, and layers — weather and food options can be limited at smaller destinations.