5 different detailed one-day Beijing itineraries for couples

Here are five different one-day Beijing itineraries for a foreign couple:

Start the day early at Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world
Walk through the Gate of Heavenly Peace and enter the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former imperial palace of China’s emperors
Have lunch at a traditional restaurant in the hutongs, narrow alleys lined with courtyard homes that give a glimpse into Beijing’s past
Visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors would pray for a good harvest and pay homage to the gods
End the day with a stroll along Qianmen Street, a pedestrian shopping street with a mix of traditional and modern shops and restaurants.

Start the day with a visit to the 798 Art District, a thriving art community housed in old factories and warehouses
Have lunch at a trendy restaurant in Sanlitun, a bustling shopping and entertainment district with plenty of options for dining and drinking
Visit the Bird’s Nest, the iconic stadium built for the 2008 Olympic Games
Explore the futuristic Galaxy Soho, a complex of interconnected buildings designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid
End the day with a night out in Wangfujing, a popular shopping street with a vibrant night market selling street food and souvenirs

Start the day with a hike on the Great Wall of China, one of the world’s most famous landmarks.
Have lunch at a local farmhouse restaurant in the nearby village of Mutianyu
Visit the Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful gardens and a large lake
Explore the Beijing Botanical Garden, a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city with over 6,000 species of plants.
End the day with a relaxing soak in the hot springs at Chunhuiyuan Resort

Start the day with a visit to the Lama Temple, one of the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world
Have lunch at a traditional Beijing restaurant, specializing in Peking duck and other local delicacies
Visit the National Museum of China, which showcases the country’s rich history and cultural heritage
Attend an opera or acrobatics performance at the Beijing Opera House or the Chaoyang Theatre
End the day with a stroll through the Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, and admire its futuristic design

Start the day with a traditional Beijing breakfast of jianbing (a Chinese crepe), soy milk, and youtiao (fried dough sticks) at a local street vendor.
Take a food tour of the hutongs, trying local delicacies such as baozi (steamed buns), zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste), and roujiamo (Chinese-style hamburgers)
Visit the Beijing Food Museum to learn about the city’s culinary history and traditions
Have a late lunch at a famous hotpot restaurant, where diners cook their own meat and vegetables in a spicy broth
End the day with a cocktail at one of Beijing’s rooftop bars, such as Atmosphere or Migas, with stunning views of the cityscape.