Day 1: Imperial history, Tai Chi, Forbidden City views, local dumplings, and hutong exploration.
cold, sunny, blue sky
morning
approx 1-2 hours
1
Jingshan Park
traveled with a private tour guide and driver
Tai Chi lesson with a master and panoramic city views.
Tips: Dress in layers if visiting in winter as it's very cold.
late morning / early afternoon
approx 3-4 hours
2
Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City
walked from Tiananmen Square to Forbidden City
Visit historic Tiananmen Square and explore the vast Forbidden City.
Tips: Vlogger used a private tour guide (Alice from Odynovo) which helped skip queues. Passport needed for entry.
afternoon
approx 1 hour
3
Lunch at Manjie Dumplings Ping'an Ave Dian
traveled with a private tour guide and driver
Enjoyed famous fresh and quickly made dumplings and noodles.
155 RMB for two people (approx 32 AUD)
Tips: Vlogger shows a note from guide: 'I only eat seafood and vegetables'
Food Recommendations:
- Vegetarian specialty dumplings (steamed)
- Hand-pulled noodles
- Fried rice
- Stir-fried vegetables
late afternoon
approx 1 hour
4
Rickshaw Ride in Yandai Byway (Hutongs)
took a rickshaw ride
Explored the old city, beautiful buildings, and lake views via rickshaw.
sunset / evening
approx 1 hour
5
Sugar Cafe Rooftop
Enjoyed unbeatable views of the lake, laneways, and Drum Tower.
evening
overnight
6
Sunworld Hotel (Accommodation)
not applicable
Accommodation in a prime Beijing location, near Forbidden City.
Tips: Booked via Odynovo tours. Spacious and cozy rooms.
Day 2: Great Wall adventure, local snacks, hot pot, traditional pastries, and vibrant night market.
cold, sunny (inferred from clothing)
morning / afternoon
approx 4-5 hours (including travel and on-site)
1
Great Wall of China (Mutianyu Section)
Travelled by car (1hr 20min from Beijing), then shuttle bus, then chairlift to the wall.
Visited the iconic Mutianyu section of the Great Wall via chairlift.
Tips: Passport needed for entry. Options to ascend: chairlift or cable car.
afternoon
brief stop
2
Roadside Fruit Stall
stopped on the way back from the Great Wall
Tried local fresh and dried produce from a roadside stall near the Great Wall.
Food Recommendations:
- Xing Ren (apricot kernels)
- Bai Shu Gua (dried sweet potato/persimmon slices)
evening
approx 1.5-2 hours
3
Hot Pot at Jing Men San Bai San
traveled with a private tour guide and driver
Experienced a traditional Beijing hot pot with a unique setup.
Hot pot itself was 115 RMB (approx 24 AUD)
Food Recommendations:
- Traditional Beijing Hot Pot
- Vegetables
- Tofu/Beancurd Skin
- Sesame Dipping Sauce
late evening
approx 1 hour
4
Chinese Pastry at Fuhuazhai
Visited a traditional and elegant tea house for pastries and tea.
Food Recommendations:
- Surprise Pastry (Rose and Mung Bean)
- Silver Needle Jasmine Tea
night
approx 1 hour
5
Yandai Byway (Hutongs) Evening Stroll
Walked through the vibrant Yandai Byway, enjoying street food and shops.
Food Recommendations:
- Various street foods (candied fruits, spiral potatoes, stinky tofu)
Day 1: Imperial history, Tai Chi, Forbidden City views, local dumplings, and hutong exploration.
cold, sunny, blue sky
morning
approx 1-2 hours
1
Jingshan Park
traveled with a private tour guide and driver
Tai Chi lesson with a master and panoramic city views.
Tips: Dress in layers if visiting in winter as it's very cold.
late morning / early afternoon
approx 3-4 hours
2
Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City
walked from Tiananmen Square to Forbidden City
Visit historic Tiananmen Square and explore the vast Forbidden City.
Tips: Vlogger used a private tour guide (Alice from Odynovo) which helped skip queues. Passport needed for entry.
afternoon
approx 1 hour
3
Lunch at Manjie Dumplings Ping'an Ave Dian
traveled with a private tour guide and driver
Enjoyed famous fresh and quickly made dumplings and noodles.
155 RMB for two people (approx 32 AUD)
Tips: Vlogger shows a note from guide: 'I only eat seafood and vegetables'
Food Recommendations:
- Vegetarian specialty dumplings (steamed)
- Hand-pulled noodles
- Fried rice
- Stir-fried vegetables
late afternoon
approx 1 hour
4
Rickshaw Ride in Yandai Byway (Hutongs)
took a rickshaw ride
Explored the old city, beautiful buildings, and lake views via rickshaw.
sunset / evening
approx 1 hour
5
Sugar Cafe Rooftop
Enjoyed unbeatable views of the lake, laneways, and Drum Tower.
evening
overnight
6
Sunworld Hotel (Accommodation)
not applicable
Accommodation in a prime Beijing location, near Forbidden City.
Tips: Booked via Odynovo tours. Spacious and cozy rooms.
Day 2: Great Wall adventure, local snacks, hot pot, traditional pastries, and vibrant night market.
cold, sunny (inferred from clothing)
morning / afternoon
approx 4-5 hours (including travel and on-site)
1
Great Wall of China (Mutianyu Section)
Travelled by car (1hr 20min from Beijing), then shuttle bus, then chairlift to the wall.
Visited the iconic Mutianyu section of the Great Wall via chairlift.
Tips: Passport needed for entry. Options to ascend: chairlift or cable car.
afternoon
brief stop
2
Roadside Fruit Stall
stopped on the way back from the Great Wall
Tried local fresh and dried produce from a roadside stall near the Great Wall.
Food Recommendations:
- Xing Ren (apricot kernels)
- Bai Shu Gua (dried sweet potato/persimmon slices)
evening
approx 1.5-2 hours
3
Hot Pot at Jing Men San Bai San
traveled with a private tour guide and driver
Experienced a traditional Beijing hot pot with a unique setup.
Hot pot itself was 115 RMB (approx 24 AUD)
Food Recommendations:
- Traditional Beijing Hot Pot
- Vegetables
- Tofu/Beancurd Skin
- Sesame Dipping Sauce
late evening
approx 1 hour
4
Chinese Pastry at Fuhuazhai
Visited a traditional and elegant tea house for pastries and tea.
Food Recommendations:
- Surprise Pastry (Rose and Mung Bean)
- Silver Needle Jasmine Tea
night
approx 1 hour
5
Yandai Byway (Hutongs) Evening Stroll
Walked through the vibrant Yandai Byway, enjoying street food and shops.
Food Recommendations:
- Various street foods (candied fruits, spiral potatoes, stinky tofu)
