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I Explored Beijing 🇨🇳 Great Wall at Sunset, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
Beijing Travel: Great Wall Sunset, Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square
I explored Beijing - a city where thousands of years of history meet modern life.
From watching the sun set over the Great Wall of China, to walking through Tiananmen Square, and exploring the hidden corners of the legendary Forbidden City… this trip completely changed my perspective on China.
With...
I explored Beijing - a city where thousands of years of history meet modern life.
From watching the sun set over the Great Wall of China, to walking through Tiananmen Square, and exploring the hidden corners of the legendary Forbidden City… this trip completely changed my perspective on China.
With new visa policies making travel easier for many nationalities, there’s never been a better time to visit.
Whether you're planning a trip or just exploring from home, this is what Beijing really looks like.
Jamie Headington takes us on an unforgettable journey through Beijing, where ancient history collides with modern life. From the breathtaking sunset over the Great Wall of China to the vast expanse of Tiananmen Square and the hidden corners of the Forbidden City, this trip completely changed her perspective on China. With new visa policies making travel easier, there's never been a better time to visit. Whether you're planning a trip or just exploring from home, this is what Beijing really looks like.
I explored Beijing - a city where thousands of years of history meet modern life.
From watching the sun set over the Great Wall of China, to walking through Tiananmen Square, and exploring the hidden corners of the legendary Forbidden City… this trip completely changed my perspective on China.
With new visa policies making travel easier for many nationalities, there’s never been a better time to visit.
Whether you're planning a trip or just exploring from home, this is what Beijing really looks like.
Jamie Headington's Beijing adventure kicks off with a classic traveler's mistake: no research. He arrives to find the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square require advance bookings, leaving him to pivot to Jingshan Park. For just 20p, he scores a stunning panoramic view of the Forbidden City, a silver lining to his planning failure. The biting cold is a constant character, freezing lakes and turning his coffee into a precious warm companion. He warms up with local beef noodles in a Hutong village, a cozy escape from the gray, historic streets. The highlight is a trip to Badaling for the Great Wall. Opting for a cable car to avoid a 4-hour hike in -4°C, Jamie's confusion over transport tickets is a relatable travel moment. Once on the wall, he conquers the steep steps, finding solitude in winter and witnessing a breathtaking sunset that makes the cold worthwhile. He discovers a secret way down by sliding on the rail, a clever hack for tired knees. The next morning, he rises at 6 AM for the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square, an experience he finds a bit anticlimactic but essential. Finally, he explores the Forbidden City with a free audio guide from Trip.com, marveling at its scale and history, from the bronze vats scarred by invaders to the ancient trees in the Imperial Garden. A sweet moment comes when a local girl asks him to write a note for her collection, a reminder of the warmth he found among the people. Jamie's journey is a masterclass in turning travel mishaps into memorable experiences.
From the frozen lakes of Beijing to the sun setting over the Great Wall, Jamie Headington's winter adventure is a raw, honest look at China's capital. He navigates booking blunders, brutal cold, and hidden wonders, proving the best travel stories come from the unexpected.
Jamie Headington braves Beijing's winter, exploring the Great Wall at sunset, the Forbidden City, and hidden parks, sharing honest tips and local encounters.
Beijing Winter Travel Guide: Great Wall Sunset & Forbidden City Tips
0:20 Book Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square tickets 7 days in advance. Jamie missed this and had to change plans.
1:33 Jingshan Park is a cheap (20p) alternative for a great view of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
8:47 Take the train from Beijing North Station to Badaling for about £2.50. It's an easy and affordable way to reach the Great Wall.
12:39 The Great Wall entrance fee is separate from the cable car. Expect around £3.50 for entry and £10 for a one-way cable car up.
21:22 Visit the Great Wall in winter for fewer crowds and a magical sunset, but dress extremely warmly as temperatures can drop to -4°C and below.
26:28 Use Trip.com to book Forbidden City tickets and get a free audio guide. The shortest route takes about 1.5 hours.
0:20 Book Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square tickets 7 days in advance. Jamie missed this and had to change plans.
1:33 Jingshan Park is a cheap (20p) alternative for a great view of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
8:47 Take the train from Beijing North Station to Badaling for about £2.50. It's an easy and affordable way to reach the Great Wall.
12:39 The Great Wall entrance fee is separate from the cable car. Expect around £3.50 for entry and £10 for a one-way cable car up.
21:22 Visit the Great Wall in winter for fewer crowds and a magical sunset, but dress extremely warmly as temperatures can drop to -4°C and below.
26:28 Use Trip.com to book Forbidden City tickets and get a free audio guide. The shortest route takes about 1.5 hours.
0:01 Arriving at Forbidden City
1:33 Exploring Jingshan Park
8:47 Train to Badaling Great Wall
13:27 Walking the Great Wall
20:59 Sunset views from Great Wall
24:08 Morning at Tiananmen Square
25:46 Exploring the Forbidden City
29:50 Forbidden City recommendations
0:01 Arriving at Forbidden City
1:33 Exploring Jingshan Park
8:47 Train to Badaling Great Wall
13:27 Walking the Great Wall
20:59 Sunset views from Great Wall
24:08 Morning at Tiananmen Square
25:46 Exploring the Forbidden City
29:50 Forbidden City recommendations
beijing vlogchina travelbeijing travel vlogchina vloggreat wall of chinaforbidden citytiananmen squarethings to do in beijingbeijing attractionstravel china 2026what china is really likechina itinerarysolo travel asiatravel vlogexplore chinaWhat should I book in advance for Beijing?
You need to book Forbidden City tickets 7 days ahead and Tiananmen Square requires a reservation too. I learned that the hard way.
How cold does it get in Beijing in winter?
It was brutally cold. It hit -6°C when I was there, and the wind made it feel so much worse. Lakes froze over completely.
How much does it cost to visit the Great Wall?
The train from Beijing is about £2.50, the cable car one-way is £10, and the entrance fee is only £3.50. So for about £12.50 total, you can see the Great Wall.
What's the best way to see the Forbidden City?
I booked my ticket on Trip.com and got a free audio guide. I took the shortest route, which took about 1.5 hours, but you can easily spend 4-5 hours there.
