9 Best Day Trips from Beijing
If you visit Beijing, you can't miss out on exploring its surroundings. Find out which are the places you can't miss for anything in the world.
Chinese Wall | ©Manuel Joseph
If you are planning to visit China, let me tell you that there are many things to see and do in Beijing, its capital. But its surroundings also have a lot to explore. From Beijing it is possible to take several tours to nearby sites that will allow you to get to know a little more of the country's culture and nature.
There are several options, so read on to find out which are the best.
1. Day trip to the Great Wall in Mutianyu
If you are looking for an unforgettable experience, I recommend booking a tour to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. On this tour you will depart from your accommodation, accompanied by an experienced guide, to one of the most impressive places in the world just 90 minutes from the centre of Beijing.
Unlike other areas of the wall, Mutianyu has fewer tourists and more space to enjoy the scenery. If you want to have some fun, you can take the cable car up to the wall and go down a slide, which is unique in the area.
There, you will have some free time to explore at your leisure and learn about the history of this iconic site from your guide. After this unforgettable experience, you will return to your hotel in the evening before the day comes to an end.
Details of interest:
- Price: from 119 euros.
- Duration: the experience takes approximately 9 hours in total.
- Means of transport: the transfer is by bus.
2. Visit the Great Wall in Badaling and the Ming Tombs from Beijing
When you book a tour of the Great Wall and Ming Tombs, you'll visit two of the most iconic sites in the country's history with an expert guide, who will tell you details about each of the places you visit along the way.
The adventure begins at the Badaling section of the Great Wall, an imposing structure that has been a symbol of Chinese engineering since ancient times. This section is one of the best preserved, allowing you to see the majesty and detail of its construction.
You will then be taken to the Ming Tombs, where you will see the final resting place of 13 of the 16 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. The Chang Ling Tomb, the largest and the first to be excavated, is one of three tombs that are open to the public. This is divided into three courtyards and features impressive architectural structures.
Details of interest:
- Price: the price starts at 82 euros.
- Duration: about 8 hours in total.
- Means of transport: You will be driven in an air-conditioned minivan.
3. Visit the Great Wall in Mutianyu and the Summer Palace from Beijing
You'll meet your guide in the morning at your hotel to begin this adventure that starts with a visit to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, which is covered with trees and orchards, making the air here fresh almost all year round.
Next, you'll head to the imposing Summer Palace, a royal garden renowned for its beautiful scenery and spectacular architecture. You will spend approximately two hours here, learning about the history of the Palace and enjoying its beautiful gardens. You will also visit the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, where you can see the rooms of Empress Cixi.
Finally, you will have the opportunity to visit the Qingyan Stone Boat, a foreign-style superstructure, which is supposed to have been a symbol of stability in the Qing dynasty.
Details of interest:
- Price: from 175 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 9 hours in total.
- Means of transport: air-conditioned minivan.
4. Excursion to Xian from Beijing to see the Terracotta Army
One of the most popular tours from Beijing is the Terracotta Army tour. The tour begins when your guide picks you up from your accommodation for a train ride to Xian.
Once there, at the Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum you will see over 8,000 life-size terracotta figures of warriors, horses and chariots, created over 2,000 years ago as part of the mausoleum of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
The sight of these impressive sculptures is simply a must-see. Today, the Terracotta Army figures are considered one of the archaeological wonders of the world.
Details of interest:
- Price: from 700 euros per person.
- Duration: about 18 hours in total.
- Means of transport: by air-conditioned minivan and train.
5. Great Wall walking tour from Huanghuacheng to Xishuiyu
If you are a hiking enthusiast you should not miss this tour, as it is one of the best tours to the Great Wall of China. You will enjoy a day full of nature and beautiful views on the Great Wall at Huanghuacheng, one of the most impressive and unique sections of this mythical construction.
Huanghuacheng is located in Huairou, 60km from Beijing. This area is known for its natural beauty, with yellow flowers, mountains and rivers. The hike offers panoramic views of the reservoir and the spectacular view of the Great Wall on the mountain.
The tour includes a visit to the Xishuiyu sightseeing area, also known as the Great Wall underwater.
Details of interest:
- Price: from 175 euros per person.
- Duration: about 8 hours in total.
- Means of transport: You will travel in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan.
- Recommendation: if you feel like tasting the local cuisine, I recommend you to take one of the best gastronomic tours in Beijing.
6. Great Wall Walk from Jinshanling to West Simatai
Would you like to have an authentic experience and get away from the crowds of tourists? On this tour you can enjoy the natural scenery and the Great Wall in a rarely visited region. Although the 6 km hike to Simatai can be a bit difficult, the effort is worth it for the breathtaking view.
You can enjoy one of the best walking routes and do it at your own pace, taking as much time as you wish to admire the impressive restored construction, with its 15 watchtowers and picturesque views of the ruins.
On this walk you will also have the opportunity to view the steep and picturesque ruins of the unrestored western Simatai section of the Great Wall. This will allow you to compare the two sections of the famous landmark in areas that few tourists have the opportunity to visit.
Details of interest:
- Price: from 50 euros.
- Duration: approximately 9 hours.
- Means of transport: air-conditioned minivan.
7. Low train ride from Beijing to Tianjin
Being in Beijing is an excellent opportunity to take a short trip to the city of Tianjin, located just an hour away by bullet train.
On this guided tour of Tianjin you will see the Porcelan House, a French-style colonial villa built in the 1920s. Its exterior is covered with porcelain shards and the interior houses an antique museum. If you are a lover of architecture and history, you will definitely love this stop.
Next you will visit Wudadao where you can explore more than 2,000 garden-style villas built during the colonial occupations. If you wish, you can enjoy an optional horse-drawn carriage ride for a closer look at the architectural wonders. And during some downtime you can indulge in Tianjin's delicious cuisine over lunch at a local restaurant.
Details of interest:
- Price: from 112 euros per person.
- Duration: about 9 hours in total.
- Means of transport: air-conditioned minivan.
8. Day trip to Longqing Gorge and Guyaju Caves from Beijing
If you are a nature lover, you should definitely consider this private day tour to Longqing Gorge and Guyaju Caves.
The tour starts at Longqing Gorge, a picturesque place that is known for its impressive gorge. Along the river you will enjoy breathtaking views of sheer cliffs and water-eroded limestone. You will also see the Immortal Taoist Temple and the Cave of Flowers.
Next stop is the Guyaju Caves, an archaeological site with over 100 caves carved into the stone cliffs. You can explore these ancient rock-hewn dwellings and appreciate their unique architecture. In addition, at certain times of the year you can also enjoy activities such as viewing cherry blossoms in bloom.
Details of interest:
- Price: from 120 euros per person.
- Duration: Approximately 9 hours in total.
- Means of transport: air-conditioned minivan.
9. Jiankou Great Wall Excursion from Beijing
This is a tour to explore the Great Wall in the Jiankou section. This part of the wall is known for its unique style and beautiful scenery, making it an ideal destination for photography enthusiasts. On this tour you can choose your own start time, which can best suit your day's schedule.
The Jiankou Great Wall is considered a "wild" section due to its lack of repairs. It was built on steep cliff ridges, which also makes it one of the most dangerous sections of the wall.
Throughout the walk you will enjoy the freedom to explore Jiankou on your own. If you need help, the tour allows you to add an expert guide service, who will help you take photos and ensure your safety along the way. Afterwards, you will be driven back to your accommodation in Beijing.
Details of interest:
- Price: from 90 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 9 hours in total.
- Means of transport: air-conditioned minivan.
What will I see on a tour from Beijing?
Taking a tour around Beijing is an experience I highly recommend. Although most of these tours focus on the Great Wall, you will be able to see other incredible landscapes and many details of China's past and tradition.
Being a millenary country, there are a lot of interesting and curious facts that you cannot miss. That's why all these tours have a specialised guide, who will tell you about the importance of each of the places you visit and their relevance in the history of the country.
These types of excursions are usually unforgettable. In addition to truly amazing landscapes, temples, palaces and buildings, they usually include a gastronomic tour, especially to the local markets, which are an experience in themselves. China is a country rich in traditions, and these tours from Beijing are the best way to get in touch with them.