A quieter side of Beijing is waiting for you to explore.
After being sealed for centuries, the Qianlong Garden inside Beijing’s Forbidden City is finally open to tourists, revealing exquisitely restored rooms once used as the Qianlong Emperor’s private sanctuary. The delicate carvings, wall paintings, intricate jade details, and intimate chambers give you a rare look into imperial life beyond the public palaces.
This newly opened site is already drawing travelers who are deciding where to go in China for deeper cultural experiences. But beyond this secret garden, Beijing’s parks, lakes, and historic districts offer their own quiet magic. If you’re looking for reflective things to do in Beijing, garden-hopping is one of the most atmospheric ways to understand the city’s soul.
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🌸 Jingshan Park — The Hill With the Best View of Beijing
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Right across from the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park gives you one of the most iconic views in the capital. Built from the soil excavated while digging the palace moats, this man-made hill now offers breathtaking panoramas, especially during sunset when the palace roofs turn gold. It’s an ideal stop when planning things to do in Beijing that combine scenery and history.
🪷 Beihai Park — Lakes, Willows, and Mirror-Calm Views
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One of the oldest imperial gardens in China, Beihai Park centers on a serene lake framed by willow trees, bridges, and pavilions. Whether you’re circling the water, exploring the island crowned by the White Dagoba, or catching lotus blooms in summer, it’s a soothing addition to your list of where to go in China for peaceful urban nature.
🏛️ Summer Palace — A Living Masterpiece of Classical Garden Design
The Summer Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the pinnacle of Chinese classical landscaping. Hills, lakes, corridors, bridges, and temples are arranged to mimic poetic scenery, encouraging you to walk slowly and take it all in. It’s one of the most rewarding things to do in Beijing if you're seeking beauty, history, and wide-open spaces.
🧘 Temple of Heaven Park — Where Ritual Meets Daily Life
Built for imperial rituals praying for good harvests, the Temple of Heaven is now a beloved public park. At sunrise, locals gather here to practice tai chi, play traditional instruments, or simply enjoy morning walks beneath ancient cypress trees. It’s a meaningful stop when choosing things to do in Beijing that allow you to see daily life alongside history.
🌿 Prince Gong’s Mansion & Garden — Refined and Quietly Beautiful
![[MY EN] Prince Gong's Mansion Beijing](https://res.klook.com/image/upload/fl_lossy.progressive,q_85/c_fill,w_1000/v1742879351/zszz8uulwr8e0gezu7f5.jpg)
Prince Gong’s Mansion holds one of Beijing’s most elegant classical gardens. Expect koi ponds, winding corridors, pavilions, rock formations, and lantern-lit pathways arranged with poetic symbolism. It’s especially peaceful if you're exploring where to go in China for intimate, less-touristed heritage sites.
Start Your Gateway to Beijing
The opening of Qianlong Garden invites you to experience a once-hidden side of imperial Beijing. But this is only the beginning. Across the capital, you’ll find serene parks, lakes, historic gardens, and old neighborhoods that offer a refreshing contrast to busy city streets. For anyone exploring where to go in China and searching for slow-paced, scenic things to do in Beijing, these spots reveal a gentler rhythm of everyday life.
