Beijing 3 Days 2 Nights, Super Detailed Budget Travel Guide for Students

Want to explore Beijing on a budget? This guide will help you experience the most authentic Beijing flavor with minimal spending, without missing the Temple of Heaven, delicious food, and beautiful scenery! Transportation Guide • External Transportation: Look for discounted flight or train tickets on major booking platforms in advance, comparing prices and travel times. • City Transportation: Download the "Yitonghang" APP for subway rides, which is convenient and economical. You can also rent shared bikes to freely navigate through hutongs and experience old Beijing vibes 🚲 Buses can reach most attractions, and you can get a Beijing electronic bus card through Alipay. Accommodation Recommendations • Recommended Areas: Near Qianmen and Dashilar, convenient for travel with plenty of food options nearby, plus you can experience the old Beijing atmosphere. • Hotel Recommendations: Sicily Hotel (Beijing Railway Station Tiantan East Gate Subway Station), affordable at 399 yuan for three days and two nights, with options for double or twin beds, and a subway station just a short walk away. Jindi Shangpin Hotel, a little over 500 yuan for three days and two nights, with spacious rooms, separate wet and dry bathroom areas, and a subway entrance right outside, making it convenient to visit Tiananmen and the Forbidden City. Food Spots • Beijing Roast Duck: Siji Minfu Roast Duck (Forbidden City Branch), budget-friendly with crispy skin and tender meat. Remember to get a number online in advance to avoid long waits. • Hot Pot: Jubaoyuan Hot Pot (Niujie Main Branch), copper pot over charcoal fire, tender lamb, and authentic sesame sauce dip. • Hutong Snacks: Fermented mung bean milk with fried rings (Yin San Douzhir), Door Nail Meat Pie (Baorui Door Nail Meat Pie Shop), experience authentic old Beijing flavors. Photography Guide • Temple of Heaven: Choose early morning or evening when the light is soft. Use the Temple of Heaven as a background while standing on the Danbi Bridge for beautiful silhouette shots. • Forbidden City: Red walls and yellow tiles, with the corner towers being popular photo spots. Wearing traditional Han clothing makes for great photos. • Shichahai: Take sunset photos by the lake in the evening, with the shimmering water creating a perfect atmosphere. Itinerary • Day 1: Tiananmen Square (free, reservation required) → Forbidden City (60 yuan, closed on Mondays, reserve 7 days in advance) → Jingshan Park (2 yuan) ◦ Watch the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen in the morning to experience the solemn atmosphere; visit the Forbidden City in the morning to appreciate the imperial grandeur; go to Jingshan Park in the afternoon to overlook the panoramic view of the Forbidden City and Beijing's central axis. • Day 2: Temple of Heaven Park (combined ticket 34 yuan) → Nanluoguxiang (free) → Drum Tower (free) → Shichahai (free) ◦ Visit the Temple of Heaven in the morning, focusing on the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests for great photos; eat snacks at Nanluoguxiang in the afternoon, then visit the Drum Tower, and take a leisurely walk around Shichahai in the evening. • Day 3: Badaling Great Wall (40 yuan) → Return trip ◦ Take an early high-speed train from Beijing North Station to Badaling Station, arriving in 30 minutes. The north section of the wall is recommended as it's steeper with better views. After climbing the Great Wall, pack up and prepare for your return journey.