Beijing walking route: Lama Temple, Forbidden City and
This 8.3-kilometer route through Beijing’s historic center includes a visit to the Lama Temple, panoramic views of the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and Tiananmen Square. The estimated time to complete the route is 57 minutes.
- Distance
- 8.3 km
- Duration
- 1 h 39 min
- Mode
- route
- Start
- Beijing Lama Temple
- End
- Tiananmen Square (Tian'anmen)
- Stops
- 4
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Beijing Lama Temple — A Buddhist monastery with majestic pavilions housing statues of Buddha and ancient Tibetan artifacts.
- View of the Forbidden City — A panoramic view of the Ming Dynasty palace complex, with its golden roofs and the wall that surrounded the residence of the Chinese emperors.
- Temple of Heaven — A sanctuary with a circular hall and a marble platform where emperors performed ceremonies to worship the heavens in ancient China.
- Tiananmen Square (Tian'anmen) — Central public plaza in Beijing mentioned at 53:01 timestamp. Major gathering space and historical site featuring the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Tour buses to the Great Wall depart from Tiananmen Square daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with return trips until 4:00 p.m. The fare is about $9–10.
- Save money
- Ticket to the Mutianyu section: 40 yuan one way + 40 yuan admission + 40 yuan return trip = 120 yuan per person. Tickets can be purchased right at the entrance.
- Timing
- It takes about 17 minutes to walk up to the Great Wall. The Mutianyu section features stairways, shade from the trees, benches for resting, and restrooms near the watchtowers.
- Tip
- The Mutianyu and Badaling sections are restored tourist routes. Most of the other sections of the Wall have been destroyed and require special equipment to visit.
- Timing
- Tour buses depart between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., so there is limited time for sightseeing. In the Mutianyu section, you can walk as far as Tower 14 and then head back.
- Avoid
- Be sure to bring your passport when visiting temples in Beijing. In China, you’re required to show identification for entry and security checks everywhere.
- Food
- Local food and drinks are available at temples and tourist spots along the Wall. You can buy Chinese buns and grab a snack on the Great Wall of China.
- Save money
- Admission to the Lama Temple costs 25 yuan (about 300 rubles). It is one of Beijing's most famous temples.
- Timing
- In two days in Beijing, you can visit the Great Wall, the Lama Temple, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and Tiananmen Square. It’s recommended to start with the Great Wall in the morning (7:00–11:00).
- Tip
- Some sections of the Great Wall are accessible for free through passageways (gates), but this requires preparation and special equipment for climbing over the ruined sections.