Beijing Imperial Day Trips
Five UNESCO-grade day trips from Beijing: Ming Tombs, Chengde Mountain Resort, Eastern Qing Tombs, Tianjin concessions and the Mutianyu-to-Jinshanling Great Wall walk.
routes2026-10-18
At a glance
- Best for
- first-time visitors, history buffs, families
- Theme
- historical
Overview
Beyond Beijing's Forbidden City and Great Wall, the imperial heartland radiates outward: the Ming Tombs, Chengde's Mountain Resort, Tianjin's concessions, the Eastern Qing Tombs and the Mountain Resort at Chengde — all reachable as day trips or overnights from the capital.
Day by day
1 — Mutianyu Great Wall
Early bus or private car to Mutianyu (1.5h), cable car up, walk the wall, toboggan down.
1 — Chengde Mountain Resort
HSR from Beijing to Chengde (~1h), explore the resort and the Putuo Zongcheng (mini Potala), return by evening train.
2 — Tianjin + Eastern Qing Tombs
Day 1 Tianjin concessions, overnight; day 2 Eastern Qing Tombs en route back.
Key stops
- Beijing
- Mutianyu
- Chengde
- Tianjin
Famous for
- Mutianyu Great Wall (the best-restored section for day trippers)
- Chengde Mountain Resort (UNESCO, Qing summer capital)
- Eastern Qing Tombs (UNESCO)
- Tianjin Astor Hotel and Italian concession
Provinces
- beijing-province
- hebei
- tianjin