3 days · balanced pace
Forbidden City → Great Wall → Temple of Heaven — the essential Beijing loop for first-timers, all doable via metro + Didi.
Day 1
Tiananmen area, Forbidden City, Jingshan sunset.
Morning: Enter Forbidden City via Meridian Gate at 08:30 (book 7 days ahead). Lunch: Peking duck at Siji Minfu (near National Museum branch). Afternoon: Climb Jingshan Park for the classic Forbidden City rooftop panorama. Evening: Wander Nanluoguxiang hutong for skewers and craft beer.
Day 2
Mutianyu section — the best-preserved and least crowded.
Morning: Didi to Mutianyu (~1.5 hr). Cable car up, hike towers 20→14, toboggan slide down. Lunch: Farmhouse noodle at Xiaolumian near the base. Afternoon: Return to Beijing, visit 798 Art District if energy remains. Evening: Sanlitun for dinner + rooftop drinks.
Day 3
Temple of Heaven morning + Summer Palace afternoon.
Morning: Temple of Heaven at opening; watch locals do tai chi and calligraphy. Lunch: Old Beijing Zhajiangmian. Afternoon: Metro to Summer Palace via Xiyuan; walk from North Palace Gate to East Palace Gate along Kunming Lake. Evening: Wangfujing for last-minute shopping + Peking opera at Chang'an Grand Theater.
