Beijing Travel Story – AGT 2026

In August 2026, Auckland Global Trekkers headed to China’s historic capital, Beijing — a city where centuries of imperial dynasty meet bold modern architecture, bustling street culture, and grand mountain scenery. Over six days, we explored iconic plazas, walked along ancient fortifications, climbed hilltop vistas, ventured out to the Great Wall, and immersed ourselves in the local rhythm of Beijing’s historic neighborhoods and vibrant art scenes.

Arrival – Tiananmen & The Heart of the City

After settling into the city, we kicked off our adventure on 25 August at Tiananmen Square, one of the world’s most famous public spaces and the historical heart of modern China. Walking across the expansive plaza set a dramatic tone for the days ahead.

Right beside the square, we spent the remainder of our day exploring the National Museum of China, taking in thousands of years of rich cultural history, art, and imperial relics housed within its massive galleries.

Imperial Splendor & Rooftop Views

On 26 August, we turned our attention to Beijing’s deep imperial heritage. We started with a peaceful morning stroll through Zhongshan Park, enjoying its quiet gardens and historic altars before heading toward the main event: The Palace Museum (Forbidden City).

Passing under the iconic red gates, we spent hours wandering through the grand courtyards and intricate halls where Ming and Qing emperors once ruled. To top off the day, we climbed up into Jingshan Park directly behind the palace. From the pavilion at the top of the hill, we were rewarded with sweeping panoramic views over the golden rooftops of the Forbidden City — easily one of the visual highlights of the entire trip.

Jinshanling Great Wall & Gubei Water Town

On 27 August, we left the city center behind for a memorable day out in the mountains. We set our sights on the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall, famous for its rugged, photogenic ridges and beautifully preserved original watchtowers. Hiking along the wall offered breathtaking views and a true sense of scale away from the denser tourist crowds.

In the afternoon and evening, we made our way to Gubei Water Town nestled at the foot of the Simatai section of the Wall. With its stone bridges, winding canals, classic northern courtyard architecture, and lantern-lit streets, it was a wonderfully relaxing contrast to our mountain walk.

Altars, Observatories & Ancient Walls

Our trek on 28 August took us through a diverse cross-section of Beijing’s sacred and historical sites. We started at the iconic Temple of Heaven, watching locals practice tai chi in the surrounding park before admiring the stunning circular architecture of the main altar.

From there, our day continued with a series of fascinating stops:

• Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum: Located at the quiet Xiannong Altar, filled with exquisite woodwork and traditional models.

• Niujie Mosque: Beijing’s oldest mosque, showcasing a unique blend of traditional Chinese architecture and Islamic artistic detail.

• Beijing Ancient Observatory & Ming City Wall Ruins: We examined centuries-old astronomical instruments mounted atop a original 15th-century watchtower and walked along one of the few remaining stretches of Beijing’s ancient city wall.

Royal Gardens, Olympic Marvels & Lakes

On 29 August, we spent the morning wandering the lush grounds of the Summer Palace, enjoying peaceful views across Kunming Lake and past ornate lakeside pavilions. Afterward, we visited the ruins of the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan), a poignant site filled with dramatic stone remnants set among tranquil ponds and woodlands.

By late afternoon, we transitioned from ancient to ultra-modern at the Olympic Park, checking out the groundbreaking architecture of the Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube. We rounded out the day at Shichahai, exploring its lively lakefront pathways, winding hutong alleyways, and cozy local cafes.

Modern Art & Contemporary Culture

We wrapped up our Beijing trip on 30 August with a visit to the famous 798 Art District. Housed inside decommissioned 1950s Bauhaus-style military factories, this creative hub is packed with modern art galleries, street murals, design studios, and indie coffee shops — a dynamic, modern contrast to the ancient sites from earlier in the week.

A Journey Through Time & Culture

From ancient imperial palaces and mountain watchtowers to quiet water towns and cutting-edge art hubs, Beijing offered us an unforgettable blend of depth, discovery, and shared travel. It was another fantastic AGT journey filled with great walks, incredible history, and memories to share.

For more upcoming adventures, check out Auckland Global Trekkers