Trip Overview
When: August (summer in Beijing—hot but perfect for exploring)
Duration: 4 days, 3 nights
Travelers: Solo traveler
Budget: ~4,000 RMB (~$560 USD)
Transportation: Didi (China's Uber), bike sharing, and walking
Essential Foreigner Info
Getting There: Fly into Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). The trip takes about 3 hours from most major cities.
Money Matters: Most places in Beijing accept mobile payment (WeChat Pay, Alipay), but it's always good to carry 200-300 RMB cash for small vendors and tips.
Language: English is spoken at major hotels and tourist attractions. Learning a few basic phrases helps: "Nǐ hǎo" (hello), "Xièxie" (thank you), "Duìbuqǐ" (sorry).
Getting Around: Beijing's subway is efficient and cheap. Didi works great for door-to-door transport. Bike-sharing stations are everywhere—great for exploring hutongs!
My Beijing obsession? Blame it on Lao She. His books—Camel Xiangzi, Teahouse, Four Generations Under One Roof—painted a picture of old Beijing's everyday charm. Though modern Beijing is unrecognizable from his time, it still calls to me, drawing me here to discover where tradition and modernity collide.
With a theme of "East of the Forbidden City," I planned my route through Beijing's Eastern District (东城区), staying right in the heart of it all. Four days, three nights—let's go.
Day 1: Arrival – The Forbidden City (故宫) – Donghua Gate (东华门) – Wangfujing (王府井)
One ticket to Beijing, three hours in the air, and suddenly I'm standing on Beijing soil. Before arriving, I'd scoped out online guides and mapped my itinerary: "East of the Forbidden City." Most places I wanted to see clustered in Beijing's Eastern District, right next to the Forbidden City. For convenience, I booked my hotel in Dongcheng District too.
After settling in at the Novotel Peace Beijing (和平宾馆), I set off for the Forbidden City (故宫).
"Around every seat, always placed as one wishes"—that's Emperor Qianlong describing the Forbidden City in verse. The documentary Masters in the Forbidden City is one of my favorites, revealing so much about this palace that's witnessed centuries of Chinese history. Making it my first stop in Beijing? No brainer. I couldn't wait to peek into this place that's seen empires rise and fall.
This wasn't my first time at the Forbidden City. Located in central Beijing, it's also known as "Zijin Cheng" (Purple Forbidden City). Twenty-four emperors lived and ruled here during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Gazing out, the entire complex gleams gold, majestic and magnificent—absolutely breathtaking.
A central axis runs through the entire Forbidden City—the three main halls, three rear palaces, and Imperial Garden all sit on this line. That axis also aligns with Beijing's city axis, stretching from Yongdingmen in the south to the Drum Tower and Bell Tower in the north, bisecting Beijing into two symmetrical halves. The Forbidden City's construction represents the collective wisdom and sweat of working people hundreds of years ago—an unparalleled masterpiece.
Because it's just so enormous, an afternoon isn't nearly enough to see everything. Following the crowd, I barely scratched the surface—but the impact was anything but shallow. Through my camera lens, every shot oozes historical weight. Very photo-friendly.
Visitor numbers were lower this year—the rare quiet made exploring the Forbidden City a more intimate experience. Walking through every corner at a leisurely pace? Priceless.
Exiting through Donghua Gate (东华门), I biked to Wangfujing (王府井). Every city has its signature commercial street—Chunxi Road in Chengdu, Jiefangbei in Chongqing—and in China's capital? That's Wangfujing.
Wangfujing balances history with novelty, tradition with modernity. The old streets, weathered by time, show their age; the trendy new spots chase contemporary style, standing out even more. Here you'll find century-old shops like Ruifuxiang (瑞蚨祥) alongside luxury brands.
The Plaza at Wangfujing (王府中环) has become a new landmark, taking up huge space on the western side of Wangfujing Street. Many world-renowned luxury brands have settled here—it's a brand-name paradise.
Fashionable young people stream through the streets—brands I've never seen before. Beijing's inclusiveness and development energy are something else.
Wangfujing's snack street nearby is perfect for refueling—food from all over China converges here. I was stuffed after just a few items. Wish I had a bigger stomach!
Where I Stayed: Novotel Peace Beijing (和平宾馆)
I don't like my trips feeling cookie-cutter, so I hunt for classic spots—even for hotels. In Beijing, I chose Novotel Peace Beijing. To Beijingers, it's a classic too—one of the eight major hotels built after the founding of the PRC, and one of the first batch of hotels established in the new China, witnessing countless historic moments.
The hotel's lobby is in the newer main building—European architectural style, also a classic design. The lobby is perfect for photos. The Square自助餐厅 (Square Restaurant) sits behind the lobby, offering all-day Chinese and Western cuisine and buffets.
The second floor houses meeting rooms and a gym with pool—gotta squeeze in some exercise even while traveling. The Executive Lounge is on the top floor, offering clear views of the Forbidden City, Wangfujing, and beyond.
The rooms keep up with modern trends—plenty of innovation. I stayed in a family suite, comprising a living room and bedroom. Warm cartoon elements are a must for family rooms; kids should love them. The living room has kids' tents and slides, and the bed has cartoon plushies—imagine how happy a kid would be! Looking out the window, you see Jingshan Park and the Forbidden City; closer, life-filled hutongs.
The Garden Restaurant (花家花园餐厅) preserves the artificial hill and pavilions from the Na Tong王府 (the Na family mansion). Walking into the courtyard instantly quiets you. The food is authentic too—various Beijing dishes and snacks. Popular not just with hotel guests but also locals for hosting friends.
Right next to the hotel are authentic old hutongs, and a few steps away is the famous Shijia Hutong (史家胡同). Don't forget to check out hutongs when you're in Beijing! I suggest getting up early, cycling toward the Forbidden City from the hotel, passing through Beijing's parks—experience a local's morning.
Day 2: Shijia Hutong (史家胡同) – Guardian Art Center (嘉德艺术中心) – 77 Cultural Creative Park (77文创园)
Hutong culture is uniquely Beijing—different from Shanghai's lilong (lanes) and Suzhou's alleyways. Some say Beijing hutong culture's essence is "endurance"—accepting things as they are, going with the flow. I don't fully agree. To me, Beijing hutong culture reflects more: a reluctance to leave one's homeland, neighborly harmony, and unforgettable memories of the past.
Shijia Hutong (史家胡同) is one of Beijing's best-preserved old hutong cultural districts. During the Qing Dynasty, it belonged to the镶白旗 (White Banners). The Shijia Hutong Primary School was originally a shrine to General Shi Kefu; Zhang Shizhao also lived here. The Beijing People's Art Theatre's dormitory is here too. Shijia Hutong has 好园 (The Garden) with Deng Yingchao's inscription, the Shijia Hutong Museum, the National Women's Federation's senior center, China Women's Publishing House, and more—rich cultural heritage gives Shijia Hutong endless charm. I took photos of the hutongs in the morning light as a keepsake.
The Guardian Art Center (嘉德艺术中心) sits at Wangfujing Street No. 1. The first time I saw it, I was awed by its appearance—a massive silver-gray irregular building. What kind of genius designer created something so beautiful?
The architectural style is bold, achieving a subtle balance between old and new. While placing new construction within Beijing's ancient city texture, it harmonizes with the surrounding environment. The building's lower section looks like stacked stone man-made mountains, echoing the scale and feel of neighboring traditional hutong courtyard houses. The floating glass square above reflects Beijing as a global metropolis.
It's a flexible, rich cultural space combined with restaurants, hotels, and public transportation infrastructure. The building's first floor features a 1,700-square-meter column-free exhibition space—very design-savvy, full of post-modern style. Perfect for photos that look ultra-chic.
With the rise of creative consciousness, more and more old factories are being transformed into cultural creative parks—Taiwan's Songshan and Huashan, Chengdu's Eastern Memory, and Beijing's 77文创园. After renovation, all have been given new life and vitality.
Beijing's 77 Cultural Creative Park (77文创园), just one street from the China Art Museum, stretches from Meishuguan Hou Street to Xiaoqvdeng Hutong. Before 2012, it was the old Beijing Printing Factory site. Since 2014, it's been transformed, attracting well-known cultural businesses and gradually forming a themed cultural park centered on film and theater—achieving a stunning transformation, breaking free from its cocoon.
Here you can enjoy traditional opera performances and, of course, snap gorgeous industrial-style photos. That's吸引力 enough!
Day 3: Bell and Drum Towers (钟鼓楼) – Fangjia Hutong (方家胡同) – Jiaolou Library (角楼图书馆)
Through Liu Xinwu's novel The Drum Tower, I learned about Beijing's Bell and Drum Towers. The drum tower sets the watches with drums; the bell tower reports the time with bells—morning drums and evening bells. This ancient timekeeping method and city management approach provided ordinary people with references for daily life and work.
The Bell Tower and Drum Tower stand less than 100 meters apart—the best-preserved, largest, and tallest existing ancient tower complex in China.
Climbing the stairs and standing atop the Drum Tower, looking down at the surrounding cluster of Beijing hutongs and courtyard houses—it's as if the drumbeats are echoing toward every corner of Beijing.
Leaving the Bell and Drum Towers, my next destination was Fangjia Hutong (方家胡同). If Shijia Hutong is a hub of art and culture, then Fangjia Hutong is an important "machine tool hutong" in Beijing's industrial history. The hutong's No. 46 courtyard was the site of the former China Machine Tool Factory.
There are historical sites here like the 南学 (Southern Academy), 宝泉局北作厂 (Baoquan Bureau Northern Workshop), 白衣庵 (White Cloth Nunnery), 循郡王府 (Xun Prince's Mansion), and the Qing Dynasty's京师第一图书馆 (Capital's First Library)—revealing deep cultural heritage. There are also elderly people cooling off under the shade of trees, cats napping on eaves—exuding charming everyday life.
Some worry hutong culture will someday disappear. But with serious attention to traditional culture nowadays, people will only care for these tangible historical memories more tenderly.
At some point, visiting libraries became my habit in every new city—because here, you can see young people chasing dreams, as well as elderly folks still devoted to reading with undiminished passion. All the beautiful faces of humanity can be found in libraries. 左安门角楼 (Zuoanmen Tower), one of Beijing's ancient city landmarks, witnessed the historical changes of the capital since the Ming and Qing dynasties, experiencing destruction and rebirth. During urban renovation, surrounded by modern buildings, the tower wasn't swallowed but got a second life—ancient architecture became a natural advantage, shaping the Jiaolou Library's unique character.
Who could guess that rough blue bricks, stacked together, house a library covering 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and Beijing's特色 culture? Using ancient buildings newly—a perfect place for leisure, self-cultivation, and a lifestyle. It slows down fast-paced city life.
Day 4: Legend Hotel (励骏酒店) – Afternoon Tea – Departure
Beyond location and service, these days hotel-hunters focus on aesthetics. Before coming to Beijing, I was recommended the Legend Hotel (励骏酒店)—European style inside and out, attracting countless girls for photos.
Stepping into the hotel, I was drawn in by the lobby's rich European style—looking up, the hexagonal floors stack upward, truly magnificent. Later I learned this hotel was a reception venue during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, hosting many domestic and foreign VIPs. I've never been one to advocate budget travel—traveling itself is meant to be joyful. If budget travel shortchanges your safety and enjoyment, it's not worth it. So within your means, treat yourself to the best—that's what travel should be.
The lobby's gorgeous decor, the layered floors creating a stunning perspective—sculptures and artworks throughout add to the hotel's artistic depth. The staircases on both sides of the lobby are one of the most popular photo spots; comparing online photos, the real thing is even more beautiful. The second-floor café is also a popular photo spot, capturing the layered floors with the lobby below.
I tried the Legend Suite this time—the entrance hallway immediately showcases an artwork. The super spacious living room has sofas, dining tables, and a desk arranged thoughtfully; just the living room area can evoke European palace vibes. Every decoration in the room, from the decor to every detail, exudes sophistication.
The welcome fruit and thoughtful card when I first arrived instantly dispelled any stranger-in-Beijing anxiety. The king bed and big bathtub are what attracted me most—every corner, from the desk lamp to the TV cabinet, is a great photo spot. A grown man staying in such a suite? Feels slightly wasted (but in a good way!).
Slept like a log, waking up at noon. After freshening up, I went straight to the 16th-floor Executive Lounge for afternoon tea. The Legend Hotel's most popular offering is probably afternoon tea—the Executive Floor on the 16th floor offers views of the Forbidden City, Wangfujing business district, and more, plus the hotel's signature afternoon tea. Every dessert is meticulously made; paired with tea, what a perfect afternoon!
Since I'm on the Executive Floor, I can enjoy the Executive Lounge's breakfast, lunch, and dinner service. Dining at the hotel isn't as expensive as you'd think, and the food is refined—Chinese and foreign cuisines both available. Even staying in the hotel, you could easily spend a whole day here.
It's time to head back—the hotel's airport transfer service is so thoughtful, going directly from the hotel to the airport. Hate how fast time passes—haven't explored enough of old Beijing's hutongs. Hate how fast time passes—haven't eaten enough of old Beijing's snacks. Hate how fast time passes—haven't learned a few authentic Beijing phrases...
Epilogue
Poet Hai Zi once said: "If possible, I want to be a person who travels mountains and waters—unconcerned with the past, unbothered by the future, only fearing that I can't travel the whole world in my lifetime—that would be my sadness."
This speaks straight to my heart. Life is short—make it bloom. Travel thousands of mountains and rivers, taste the variety of humanity, experience city flavors—and return still youthful.