Beijing-Chengde-Qinhuangdao-Tianjin Loop

Connect the ancient capital of Beijing, the imperial gardens of Chengde, the seaside of Shanhaiguan, and the concessions of Tianjin by high-speed rail.

A loop route through the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region without backtracking: spend two days in Beijing visiting the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, head to Chengde for the Mountain Resort and Outlying Temples, visit Qinhuangdao for the Great Wall's meeting with the sea and Beidaihe, and finish in Tianjin. The journey from Chengde to Qinhuangdao has no direct high-speed rail and is the most time-consuming segment. Ideal for first-time visitors who want to see the highlights of North China in one go, though it skips in-depth exploration of each destination.

Real-name reservations are required in advance for the Mountain Resort in July and August; most businesses in Beidaihe are closed in winter.

Day by day

Day 1 · Tiananmen and the Forbidden City

Beijing（Tiananmen Square、The Palace Museum (Forbidden City)、Jingshan Park）

Arrive in Beijing and check in near Wangfujing. Take the metro or walk to Tiananmen, and walk north through the Forbidden City to Jingshan Park.

Real-name reservations are required in advance for the Forbidden City. It is closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly.

Stay: Wangfujing

Day 2 · Mutianyu Great Wall and Shichahai

Beijing（Great Wall at Mutianyu、Shichahai）

Take a chartered car or scenic shuttle bus to Mutianyu (about 2 hours one way), and return to the city in the evening to explore Shichahai.

Depart early to avoid crowds at the Great Wall. Wear non-slip shoes.

Stay: Wangfujing

Day 3 · High-Speed Rail to Chengde and Mountain Resort

Chengde Urban Area（Chengde Mountain Resort）

Take the Beijing-Harbin high-speed rail from Beijing Chaoyang Station to Chengde South (about 1 hour), transfer to local transit to Lizheng Gate, and enter the resort in the afternoon.

An in-depth tour of the resort takes 6 to 7 hours; if you only have half a day, stick to the Lake Area.

Stay: Lizheng Gate · Shuangqiao District

Day 4 · Outlying Temples and Transfer to Qinhuangdao

Chengde Urban Area（Puning Temple、Putuo Zongcheng Temple）

Take a taxi to visit the Outlying Temples in the morning. Transfer by high-speed rail or take a chartered car to Qinhuangdao in the afternoon (about 3.5 to 4 hours), then continue to Shanhaiguan.

There is no direct high-speed rail and train services are limited; check the 12306 app or confirm bus schedules in advance.

Stay: Shanhaiguan Old Town

Day 5 · First Pass Under Heaven and Laolongtou

Qinhuangdao & Beidaihe（Shanhaiguan (First Pass Under Heaven)、Old Dragon's Head）

Walk within the ancient city, take a taxi to Laolongtou (about 20 minutes), and drive about 1 hour to the Beidaihe seaside in the afternoon.

Laolongtou can be very windy; bring extra layers in spring and autumn.

Stay: Beidaihe Beach

Day 6 · Beidaihe Seaside to Tianjin

Qinhuangdao & Beidaihe（Pigeon Nest Park (Gezi Wo)、Beidaihe Beach） → Tianjin City & Binhai（Jiefang North Road & Jinwan Plaza）

Visit Geziwan (Dove Nest) Park and the beach in the morning. Take a high-speed train from Beidaihe Station to Tianjin in the afternoon (about 2 hours) and check in near Tianjin Station.

Wake up early to catch the sunrise at Geziwan. Book afternoon train tickets in advance.

Stay: Tianjin Railway Station · Italian-Style District

Day 7 · Five Great Avenues to the Tianjin Eye

Tianjin City & Binhai（Wudadao (Five Great Avenues)、Xikai Cathedral (St. Joseph's Cathedral)、Ancient Culture Street、Tianjin Eye）

Take the metro to Xiaobailou and walk through the Five Great Avenues. Take the metro and transfer to a bus to head north in the afternoon. Total city transit time is about 1 hour.

St. Joseph Cathedral is closed on Mondays. The Tianjin Eye offers the best views at dusk.

Stay: Tianjin Railway Station · Italian-Style District

Day 8 · Italian Style Town and Departure

Tianjin City & Binhai（Italian Style Town、Tianjin Railway Station & Century Clock）

Walk through the Italian Style Town and Century Clock in the morning. Depart from Tianjin Station in the afternoon; the fastest train to Beijing South takes about 30 minutes.

If you are departing from Beijing, allow plenty of time for the intercity transfer.