July in Beijing is peak summer: very hot, highly humid, and prone to sudden afternoon thunderstorms due to the East Asian monsoon.
Hike one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall. Mutianyu offers majestic watchtowers and breathtaking ridge views, with the option to take a toboggan ride down. Arriving right at 9 AM helps beat the worst of the summer heat.
Visit websiteCar Hire · 90 mins — Pre-book a driver to take you directly from the Wall to the 798 Art District to save transit time.
Explore Beijing's premier contemporary art hub housed in decommissioned military factory buildings. Wander through Bauhaus-style architecture filled with cutting-edge galleries, boutiques, and street art.
Visit websiteUber/Taxi · 45 mins — Use DiDi (Chinese ride-hailing app) to navigate to central Beijing. Traffic can be heavy, so enjoy the AC.
Climb the artificial hill directly behind the Forbidden City to Wanchun Pavilion. It provides a stunning, unobstructed bird's-eye view of the entire Imperial Palace complex as the sun begins to lower.
Visit websiteWalk · 15 mins — A scenic walk south-east from the park towards the Dongcheng dining areas.
Indulge in Beijing's most famous culinary export. Da Dong is renowned for its signature 'super lean' roast duck, perfectly crisp skin, and an upscale modern Chinese dining experience.
Visit websitePick your own interests, pace and dates — it’s free.