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July 25, 2025
1 views7 Days in Beijing: A Romantic Couples Journey Through History & Culture on a Budget
Explore Beijing's imperial palaces, lush gardens, and vibrant street food scene without breaking the bank. Perfect for history-loving couples.
Couples TravelHistory & CultureBudget Travel
Quick Overview
Chinese Name: 北京市
Location: Northern China
Famous For: Historic architecture,Cultural heritage,Street food paradise
Daily Cost: $40-60 per couple
Best Season: April-May & September-October
Introduction: Why visit Beijing?
Beijing offers a unique blend of ancient history and modern energy where couples can wander through 600-year-old palace complexes by day and enjoy contemporary art galleries by night. From the imperial grandeur of the Forbidden City to the romantic boat rides of Beihai Park, this city delivers unforgettable experiences for budget-conscious travelers.
Best time to visit Beijing
Ideal Seasons: Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October) offer perfect weather for outdoor exploration with blooming flowers and fall foliage
🌱Spring: Mild temperatures (15-25°C) with cherry blossoms at Yuyuantan Park. Ideal for visiting open-air sites like the Great Wall.
☀️Summer: Hot (30°C+) with frequent rain. Best for indoor attractions like the Palace Museum. Enjoy lotus flowers at Summer Palace.
🍁Autumn: Cool breezes (15-20°C) and spectacular maple displays at Fragrant Hills. Perfect for rooftop dining with skyline views.
❄️Winter: Cold (0-5°C) with occasional snowfall. Romantic temple fairs during Lunar New Year with traditional performances.
Arriving and leaving Beijing
Extensive metro network (16 lines, $0.4 fare) covering all major attractions. Rent shared bicycles ($0.3/hr) for short trips. Didi Taxi app recommended for evening travel.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) [Recommended]
18 miles (30km) northeast of city center. Direct flights from 50+ countries. Airport Express train (25 mins, $3.5). Taxis cost $12-15 (40 mins)
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
40 miles (65km) south of city. Newer airport serving international flights. Airport Express takes 40 mins ($4.5). Taxis cost $20-25 (60 mins)
Beijing Railway Station
Main terminus for long-distance trains. Direct connections to Shanghai (4.5 hrs by CRH), Xi'an (4 hrs) and international routes to Moscow/Ulaanbaatar
Where to stay in Beijing: Best Neighborhoods
Dongcheng District
Perfect for history lovers near Forbidden City and Wangfujing. Mid-range boutique hotels and easy access to cultural sites
Chaoyang District
Modern area with budget-friendly international hotels near Central Business District. Good transit connections to Olympic Park
Xicheng District
Traditional vibe near Beihai Park and Houhai Lake. Family-run guesthouses and easy access to hutong alleyways
Top Things to do in Beijing
The Forbidden City
This 999-room imperial palace complex houses centuries of Chinese art and history. Don't miss the Clocks & Watches Gallery and the Hall of Mental Cultivation
Mutianyu Great Wall
Cable car access to this well-preserved section with fewer crowds. Take the thrilling toboggan ride down the 1,000-step staircase
Summer Palace
Stroll through this 300-hectare imperial garden with Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. Rent a traditional Chinese boat near the Jade Belt Bridge
Tips
Purchase combo tickets for multiple attractions (saves 20-30%). Visit major sites early morning to avoid crowds.
What to eat: Beijing food Guide
Recommended Restaurants
1. Da Dong Roast Duck
Michelin-starred modern take with duck dishes like 'melon duck rolls'. Reservations recommended. $$$
2. Hutong Cuisine
Rooftop views of Bell Tower with traditional dishes like braised pork. Live traditional music evenings. $$
3. Li Lao Da Jiaozi Guan
Local favorite for hand-made dumplings in flavors like pumpkin pork and shrimp. Budget-friendly. $
Signature Dishes
1. Roast Duck
Crispy skin served with thin pancakes, scallions, and plum sauce. The best at Da Dong (sous-vide technique) or affordable options at Da Zha Lan near Qianmen
2. Zhizi Barbecue
Cook your own meat on cast-iron griddles at famous spots like Hai Di Lao (with live opera performances) or budget-friendly Lao Mei Shao
3. Bean Curd in Chili Sauce (Zha Jiang Mian)
Thick noodles topped with fermented soybean paste and minced pork. Try at Lao Bei Jing for authentic old-town flavors
Beijing itinerary 7 Days
DAY 1
Arrival at Beijing Capital Airport:Taxi to hotel (40 min, $15)
🥗Lunch at Li Lao Da Jiaozi Guan:Sample 10 types of dumplings for $15
Visit the Forbidden City:Explore the Meridian Gate and Hall of Supreme Harmony
🍽️Dinner at Da Zha Lan:Traditional snacks like lamb kebabs ($8/person)
DAY 2
🍳Breakfast at Mei Shu Ju:Peking opera-themed breakfast ($5)
Visit the Temple of Heaven:Watch tai chi in the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
🥗Lunch at Nanxiang Xiaolongbao:Delicate soup dumplings ($12/set)
Stroll through the Summer Palace:Boat ride on Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill views
🍽️Dinner at Qing Zhen Niu Jie:Muslim quarter street food ($10/person)
DAY 3
🍳Breakfast at local bakery:Soybean milk with fried dough sticks ($3)
Visit Mutianyu Great Wall:Take cable car up (included in combo ticket) and toboggan down
🥗Lunch at Xiang He Ju:Great Wall-themed dishes like 'steamed buns shaped like wall bricks' ($15)
Explore the Bird's Nest & Water Cube:Night light show (combo ticket $5)
🍽️Dinner at Haidilao Hot Pot:Interactive dining with live opera performances ($25/person)
DAY 4
🍳Breakfast at Ju Ju Xiang:Beef noodles and tea eggs ($4)
Hutong Bicycle Tour:Rent tandem bikes ($5/hr) through Courtyard 6 or private rickshaw rides ($20/hr)
🥗Lunch at Fangshan Fu Restaurant:Courtyard dining with imperial-style dishes ($18)
Visit the Bell & Drum Towers:Traditional percussion performances at Drum Tower ($2.5 entry)
🍽️Dinner at Da Mei Shao:Budget-friendly Zhizi barbecue ($20 for two)
DAY 5
🍳Breakfast at Wang Gang Fried Noodles:Spicy hand-pulled noodles ($3.5)
Explore 798 Art District:Contemporary galleries and street art murals (free entry)
🥗Lunch at Miao Jia Xiang Guo:Regional cuisine from Yunnan and Xinjiang ($12)
Stroll through Beihai Park:Boat ride under the White Dagoba (entrance $2.5)
🍽️Dinner at Da Dong Roast Duck:Modern Peking duck experience ($45/person)
DAY 6
🍳Breakfast at Da Ya Zhan:Tea house-style pastries and soy milk ($4)
Visit Confucius Temple & Imperial Examination Museum:Explore China's scholarly heritage ($3.5 entry)
🥗Lunch at Huguo Temple Snack Street:Try 'love letters' pastries and Beijing-style baozi ($10)
Tea Ceremony at Lao She Teahouse:Watch traditional performances with jasmine tea service ($15 entry)
Visit Liulichang Cultural Street:Antique shops and traditional brush painting demonstrations
🍽️Dinner at Mei Tan Hot Pot:Chongqing-style hot pot with spicy broth options ($20/person)
DAY 7
🍳Breakfast at Starbucks Reserve:Artisan coffee with bakery set ($7)
Visit CCTV Headquarters:Futuristic architecture with viewing platform (free)
🥗Lunch at King Garden:International buffet with Peking duck carving station ($25/person)
Explore Sanlitun Village:Designer boutiques and souvenir shopping
Departure to Airport:Check-out and transfer (Airport Express recommended)
Beijing Travel FAQs
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