How Booking Works in Beijing
- Real-name reservations: the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the National Museum and many museums need a booking with your passport number — usually through the official WeChat mini-program or website.
- When: tickets typically open up to 7 days ahead and sell out at weekends and holidays. Book as soon as your plans are fixed.
- On the day: bring the same passport you booked with; expect security checks.
- Mondays: the Forbidden City and most museums are closed (except on public holidays).
- Student discounts: many sites give about half price to students with a valid student card — bring your Chinese university ID.
Free
Tiananmen Square (天安门广场)
- Why go: The vast square at the heart of modern China, with Tiananmen Gate to the north
- Student cost: Free — but a reservation with your passport is required
- Getting there: Metro Line 1 to Tiananmen East or West
- Time needed: 1 hour
- Tip: Combine with the Forbidden City the same morning
National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆)
- Why go: One of the world’s largest museums, from ancient bronzes to modern history
- Student cost: Free with a reservation
- Closed: Mondays
- Getting there: Metro Line 1 to Tiananmen East
- Time needed: 3+ hours
Hutong wandering (胡同)
- Why go: The lanes around Nanluoguxiang, Gulou, Wudaoying and Shichahai show everyday old Beijing
- Student cost: Free
- Getting there: Metro Line 6/8 to Nanluoguxiang
- Time needed: 2–4 hours
- Tip: Rent a shared bike and explore the quieter lanes off the main streets
798 Art Zone (798艺术区)
- Why go: Former factories turned into galleries, studios and cafés
- Student cost: Free to enter; some exhibitions about ¥30–100
- Time needed: Half a day
- Tip: Many galleries close on Mondays
Olympic Park (奥林匹克公园)
- Why go: Walk around the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, especially lit up at night
- Student cost: Free outside; going inside costs extra
- Getting there: Metro Line 8 to Olympic Park or Olympic Sports Center
- Time needed: 1–2 hours
Houhai & Shichahai lakes (后海)
- Why go: Lakeside paths, old bridges and bars — skating on the frozen lake in winter
- Student cost: Free to walk
- Getting there: Metro Line 8 to Shichahai
- Best time: Sunset into evening
Cheap (Under ¥100)
| Experience | Approx. cost (peak season) | Getting there | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forbidden City (故宫) | ¥60 Apr–Oct · ¥40 Nov–Mar | Metro 1 Tiananmen East; enter at the Meridian Gate | Book on the official Palace Museum channels up to 7 days ahead |
| Jingshan Park (景山公园) | About ¥2 | North gate of the Forbidden City | The classic view over the palace rooftops — go at sunset |
| Temple of Heaven (天坛) | Park about ¥15 · through ticket about ¥34 | Metro 5 Tiantan Dongmen | Go early to see locals doing tai chi, singing and playing cards |
| Summer Palace (颐和园) | ¥30 · through ticket ¥60 | Metro 4 Beigongmen | Half a day; rent a boat on Kunming Lake in summer |
| Lama Temple (雍和宫) | About ¥25 | Metro 2/5 Yonghegong | Beijing’s largest Tibetan Buddhist temple |
| Beihai Park (北海公园) | About ¥10 | Metro 6 Beihai North | Lake, White Dagoba and rowing boats |
Off-season (November–March) prices are often lower. Prices checked September 2026 from published listings — confirm before you go.
Money-saving tips (tap to expand)
- Bring your student card everywhere — half-price tickets add up fast.
- Do sights on weekdays: easier bookings, shorter queues.
- Hutongs, lakes, parks and the Olympic Park at night are free.
- Eat where students eat — Wudaokou and campus canteens are far cheaper than tourist areas.
New to China?
Set up payments, mobile data and essential apps before exploring Beijing — each topic has one national guide, so this page stays focused on the city itself.
Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay · Get a SIM, eSIM and internet access · Install the essential apps · Book high-speed trains
More Beijing Guides
Last updated: September 2026. Booking rules change — always check the official mini-program for each site. Prices, opening hours and rules in China change often — treat costs as estimates and confirm anything important with the official source before you go.
Photos: Morio / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) · N509FZ / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Cory M. Grenier / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Peter23 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Morio / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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