What to do and see in Beijing? Yes, there are the main historic attractions we all love, but after that, there is so much more which the everyday visitor to Beijing misses completely. This mega-list features all of those alternative attractions and sights in Beijing that you may not find on the standard travel guides, plus, the must-see main attractions.
Included is the Chinese name for your taxi driver. For a more focused list of essential sights in Beijing see the Top 20 Attractions in Beijing and check out the itinerary guides for 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, and 5 days in Beijing.
Here is a map of all the attractions, zoom the map out to see outlying attractions
Beijing, Dongcheng, W Chang'an Ave, 中华路4号 Zhongshan Park （South Gate）
Beijing, Haidian, 玉渊潭南路玉渊潭
Huairou, China
Huairou, China
Beijing, China, 102202
Haidian Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100042
Tongzhou Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Zhangjiakou, Hebei, China
19 Tai Ping Jie, Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Fangshan Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Fangshan, Beijing, China
Huairou, Beijing, Huairou Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Beijing Shi, Haidian Qu, ZiZhu Qiao, Zhongguancun S St, 35号紫竹院 邮政编码: 100044
Mentougou Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100042
8 Longtan Rd, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
旧县镇 Yanqing, Beijing, China, 102109
Zhuolu, Zhangjiakou, China
Fengtai Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Yanqing Qu, Beijing Shi, China
China
苏家坨镇 Haidian Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100042
Beijing Shi, Chaoyang Qu, Chao Yang Gong Yuan Nan Lu, 1号朝阳公园
Haidian Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100042
Beijing, China
Haidian Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Mentougou, China
Beijing, Pinggu, Xia Yu Lu, 山东庄镇鱼子山村京东大峡谷
Beijing, Haidian, 买卖街40号香山公园 Fragrant Hills Park （East Gate 2）
ZiZhu Qiao, Haidian Qu, China
GuoMao, 朝阳区 Beijing Shi, China
Xicheng, Beijing, China
ChaoYangMen, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100001
Xicheng Qu, China, 100031
Haidian Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100038
GuoMao, Chaoyang Qu, China, 100001
Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100096
Side Rd of S50 N. 5th Ring Rd, Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Chaoyang Qu, China, 100101
Chaoyang Qu, China
Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi, China
DongDan, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100006
北京市西城区西单北大街
Beijing, Dongcheng, Qianmen St, 前门大街北端
WangFuJing, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100006
China
JianWai DaJie, Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Fengtai Qu, China
Shijingshan Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100049
Daxing Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Xicheng Qu, China, 100032
Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100101
北京市朝阳区东四环小武基北路
12 Nancaiyuan St, Xicheng Qu, China
Fengtai Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100070
Beijing, Daxing, 榆垡镇
Haidian Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Beijing, Chaoyang, 工人体育场南门
DongWuYuan, Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100037
Haidian, China
Xiaotangshan, Beijing, Changping Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 102211
AoYunCun, Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi, China
DongWuYuan, Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100037
ChaoYangMen, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100001
Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100006
Beijing, Dongcheng, 天桥南大街126号
Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Haidian Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100038
Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100123
Beijing, Chaoyang, 酒仙桥北路1号院北侧
China, 100031
Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi, China
DongWuYuan, Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100037
Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Changping, Beijing, China, 102202
Haidian Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100007
ShiChaHai, Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100009
DongZhiMen, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100001
Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100031
Beijing, Dongcheng, Qianmen St, 前门大街北端
Beijing Shi, Fangshan Qu, 周口店路1号
9 Chongwenmen E St, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100005
Fengtai Qu, China, 100072
Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Yangfang Hutong, ShiChaHai, Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100009
Beijing Shi, Dongcheng Qu, Guozijian St, 13号北京国子监 邮政编码: 100007
China
Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100007
JianWai DaJie, Dongcheng Qu, China, 100005
Beijing, Xicheng, 什刹海后海北沿（地安门西）
ShiChaHai, Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100009
Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Haidian Qu, China
1 Wenjin St, Xicheng Qu, China, 100034
Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100006
Beijing, Fangshan, Yunjusi Rd, 大石窝镇水屯村口
Beijing, Haidian, 香山南路北京植物园
Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100055
Beijing, China
Beijing Shi, Xicheng Qu, Yuetan N St, 6号月坛公园
Beijing, Dongcheng, An Ding Men Wai Da Jie, 安定门外大街地坛公园
China, 100042
Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Tanwang Rd, Mentougou Qu, Beijing Shi, China
China, 100053
Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Mentougou Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Beijing, China, 100006
Huairou Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Beijing, Haidian, Wutasi Rd, 五塔寺村24
Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
ChaoWai, Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100001
Haidian Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100042
Beijing, Haidian, N 3rd Ring Rd W, 北三环西路甲31号
3 Ba Da Chu Lu, Shijingshan Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100042
Dongcheng Qu, China, 100007
Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100007
Changping Qu, China
Haidian Qu, China, 100000
Dongcheng Qu, China
China
Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China, 100006
The Top 10 Must-See in Beijing
The Top 10 Must-See in Beijing- Forbidden City (Palace Museum) 故宫博物院
- Great Wall in Beijing (Badaling section 八达岭)
- Tiananmen Square 天安门广场
- Summer Palace 颐和园
- Ming Tombs 明十三陵
- Hutongs & Courtyards
- Temple of Confucius 孔庙
- Temple of Heaven 天坛公园
- Yonghe Lama Temple 雍和宫
- National Museum of China 国家博物馆
Temples in Beijing
Temples in Beijing
Temple of Heaven 天坛公园
Temple of Confucius 孔庙
Yonghe Temple 雍和宫
Badachu Park 八大处
Baoguo Temple 保国寺
Big Bell Temple (Juesheng si) 觉生寺
Dajue Temple 大觉寺
Dongyue Temple 东岳庙
Fayuan Temple 法源寺
Five Pagoda Temple (Zhenjue) 真觉寺
Guangji Temple 广济寺
Hongluo Temple 红螺
Imperial Ancestral Temple (Working People’s Cultural Palace) 太庙
Jietai Temple 戒台寺
Miaoying Temple 妙应寺白塔
Niujie Mosque 牛街礼拜寺
Tanzhe Temple 潭柘塔林
Temple of Ancient Monarchs 北京历代帝王庙博物馆
Temple of Azure Clouds (Biyun) 碧云寺
Temple of Earth 地坛公园
Temple of the Moon 月坛公园
Temple of the Sun 日坛
White Cloud Temple 白云观（南门）
Wofo Temple (reclining Buddha) 卧佛寺
Yunju Temple 云居寺
Historical Sites
Historical Sites
Forbidden City (Palace Museum) 故宫博物院
Great Wall in Beijing (Badaling section 八达岭)
Great Wall in Beijing (Simitai section 司马台长城)
Summer Palace 颐和园
Old Summer Palace 圆明园遗址公园
Ming Tombs 明十三陵
Jingshan Park 景山公园
Beihai Park 北海公园
Zhongnanhai 中南海
Hutongs & Courtyards 胡同
Prince Gong’s Mansion 恭王府
Shichahai 什刹海公园
Ancient Observatory 北京古观象台
Bell and Drum Tower 钟鼓楼文化广场
Cuandixia Village 川底下村
Guozijian street (Chengxian) 北京国子监
Guyaju Caves 古雅居
Houhai 后海公园
Liulichang Cultural Street 琉璃厂文化街
Marco Polo Bridge 卢沟桥
Ming City Wall Relics Park 明城墙遗址公园
Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian 周口店遗址博物馆
Qianmen and Qianmen Street 正阳门
Dashilar Street 大栅栏
Guijie Street (Ghost Street) 簋街-鬼街
Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street 烟袋斜街
South Gong and Drum Lane 南锣鼓巷
Yuan Capital City Wall Site Park 元大都城墙遗址公
Museums and Science
Museums and Science
China Aviation Museum 中国航空博物馆
Ancient Architecture Museum 北京古代建筑博物馆
Beijing Planetarium 北京天文馆
China National Film Museum 中国电影博物馆
Capital Museum 首都博物馆
China Numismatic Museum 中国钱币博物馆
China Railway Museum 中国铁道博物馆正阳门馆
China Red Sandalwood Museum 紫檀博物馆
Planning Exhibition Hall 北京市规划展览馆
Military Museum 中国人民革命军事博物馆
Geological Museum 中国地质博物馆
Museum of Natural History 自然博物馆
National Art Museum 中国美术馆
China Stamp Museum 中国邮票博物馆
Paleozoological Museum of China 中国古动物馆
Science & Technology Museum 中国科学技术馆
Xiaotangshan AgriScience Park 小汤山现代农业科技示范园
Flora and Fauna
Flora and Fauna
Beijing Aquarium 北京海洋馆
Beijing Zoo 北京动物园
Blue Zoo 富国海底世界
Taipingyang (Pacific) Underwater World 太平洋海底世界博览馆
Beijing Wildlife Park 北京野生动物园
Garden of World’s Flowers 世界花卉大观园
Grand View Garden 大观园
Theme Parks
Theme Parks
Happy Valley 北京欢乐谷
Chinese Ethnic Culture Park 中华民族园
Culture Palace of Nationalities 民族文化宫
Shengshi Nangong Film & TV City 北京盛世南宫影视文化城
Shijingshan Amusement Park 北京石景山游乐园
Universal Studios Beijing (opening in 2020)
World Park 世界公园
Shopping Streets and Markets
Shopping Streets and Markets
Silk Street Market 秀水街
Hongqiao Pearl Market 红桥市场
Wangfujing Street 王府井大街
Qianmen Street 前门大街
Xidan Commercial Street 西单商业街
Dashilan 大栅栏
Also See: The 9 Must Visit Shopping Streets and The Top 15 Markets in Beijing
Attractions from the Beijing Olympics
The Birds Nest – National Stadium 国家体育场
The Water Cube – National Aquatics Center 北京國家游泳中心
Olympic Park 北京奥林匹克公园
Olympic Forest Park 奥林匹克森林公园
Modern Beijing
Modern Beijing 
Galaxy Soho 银河SOHO
798 Art Zone 北京798艺术区
CCTV Tower 中央电视台总部大楼
Millennium Monument (Beijing World Art Museum) 中华世纪坛世界艺术馆
National Centre for Performing Arts 国家大剧院
Leeza Soho 北京丽泽SOHO (Open soon)
Financial Street (Jinrong Street) 金融街
China World Trade Center 中国国际贸易中心
National Library 中国国家图书馆
Natural Attractions
Natural Attractions
Fragrant Hills Park 香山公园
Jingshan Park 景山公园
Jingdong Grand Canyon 京东大峡谷
Baihua Mountain 百花山
Baiwangshan Forest Park 百望山森林公园
Black Dragon Pool 黑龙潭
Beijing Botanical Garden 北京植物园
Chaoyang Park 朝阳公园
Fenghuangling Nature Park 凤凰岭自然风景公园
Gubei Water Town 古北水镇
Kangxi Grassland 康西草原
Lianhuachi Park 莲花池公园
Lingshan Mountain 灵山
Longqing Gorge 龙庆峡风景区
Longtan Park 龙潭公园
Mount Miaofeng 妙峰山
Purple Bamboo Garden 紫竹院
Qinglong Gorge 北京怀柔青龙峡旅游度假区
Stone Flower Cave 石花洞
Shidu Nature Park 十渡拒马乐园
Taoranting Park 陶然亭公园
Tianmo Desert 天漠
Tongzhou Canal Park 通州运河公园
Xishan National Forest Park 北京西山国家森林公园
Xiaotangshan Hot Spring 小汤山
Yanqi Lake 雁栖湖
Yunmeng Mountain 云蒙山
Yuyuantan Park 玉渊潭公园
Zhongshan Park 中山公园/中山公園
Where to Stay in Beijing?
These are my four picks, based on great value, consistently good reviews, foreigner friendly, and closeness to the subway. The four-star Novotel Xinqiao or the three-star Beijing Chong Wen Men Hotel which are both near Chongwenmen Station (line 2 and line 5) and near to Beijing Railway Station, or the four-star Ji Hotel which is steps away from Xuanwumen Station (line 2 and line 4), or the four-star Sofu Hotel is a very short walk to Ping’anli Station (line 4 and 6).
See more hotel picks here including my picks for the top 5-Star hotels in Beijing.