In this Beijing travel vlog, we discover how to avoid the crowds in Beijing while visiting some of the city's most famous attractions. Instead of following the typical tourist itinerary, we explore hidden parks, take a scenic boat ride to the Summer Palace, climb Jingshan Park for the best panoramic view of the Forbidden City without buying an entrance ticket, and wander through the peaceful park surrounding the Temple of Heaven. If you're looking for the best things to do in Beijing while avoiding the crowds and saving money, this itinerary is for you.
Most visitors head straight for Beijing's busiest attractions, but we wanted to experience a different side of the city. Our day begins at the peaceful Zizhuyuan Park (Black Bamboo Park), one of Beijing's best local parks, before taking a relaxing boat ride directly to the beautiful Summer Palace—a much more scenic way to arrive than simply entering through the front gates.
Instead of paying to enter the Forbidden City, we climb nearby Jingshan Park (Coal Hill), where we're rewarded with one of the most spectacular panoramic views in all of Beijing. It's one of the city's best viewpoints and costs only a fraction of the price.
Of course, no day exploring Beijing would be complete without great food. We stop for a delicious vegetarian lunch before ending our time in Beijing in the beautiful park surrounding the Temple of Heaven, where locals gather to relax, exercise, and enjoy everyday life away from the tourist crowds. So... is it actually possible to experience Beijing without battling huge crowds or spending a fortune? We think so.
More about the current video:(Published on 2026-08-30)
Beijing is intense, historic, and often packed—but there is a quieter way to experience it. This guide follows an itinerary designed to dodge the crowds: a peaceful start at Zizhuyuan Park, a scenic boat ride to the Summer Palace, a climb up Jingshan Park for sweeping Forbidden City views without entering the palace, and a slow wander around the Temple of Heaven's grounds. Add a delicious vegetarian lunch and glimpses of local life, and it proves that even China's most visited sights can feel fresh, calm, and affordable.
Avoiding Beijing Crowds: Hidden Parks & Forbidden City Views
In this Beijing travel vlog, we discover how to avoid the crowds in Beijing while visiting some of the city's most famous attractions. Instead of following the typical tourist itinerary, we explore hidden parks, take a scenic boat ride to the Summer Palace, climb Jingshan Park for the best panoramic...
Beijing is intense, historic, and often packed—but there is a quieter way to experience it. This guide follows an itinerary designed to dodge the crowds: a peaceful start at Zizhuyuan Park, a scenic boat ride to the Summer Palace, a climb up Jingshan Park for sweeping Forbidden City views without entering the palace, and a slow wander around the Temple of Heaven's grounds. Add a delicious vegetarian lunch and glimpses of local life, and it proves that even China's most visited sights can feel fresh, calm, and affordable.
