🏛️ 5A National Attractions
Last verified 30 Jun 2025
Beijing boasts 9 国家5A级 scenic areas—the imperial capital's finest destinations—spanning ancient palaces, UNESCO heritage sites, Great Wall sections and modern Olympic venues.
1 Quick Metrics
Total sites
9 (official list)
Source: wlt.beijing.gov.cn
UNESCO share
5/9 (Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Great Wall, Ming Tombs)
World heritage sites
Entry-fee range
¥0–¥60
Olympic Park & Grand Canal free to Summer Palace peak
Typical hours
06:00–22:00 (parks) · 08:30–17:00 (museums) · Olympic venues 09:00–21:00
Variable by site type
Real-name booking
Required for Palace Museum, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall & Prince Gong Mansion
Passport/ID mandatory
2 Why It Matters
Imperial résumé — One metro card unlocks palaces, sacrificial altars, summer retreats and mausoleums.
Wall-in-city limits — The sole Great-Wall 5A zone (Badaling–Mutianyu) lets you go wall-sunrise, hutong-sunset same day.
Legacy-to-future arc — Olympic Park & Grand Canal show how Beijing repurposes mega-projects into public green space.
3 Pro Tips
1
Palace drop – 20:00, 7 days ahead; choose 12:30 slot for thinner crowds.
2
Wall math – Badaling fastest via bus 877; Mutianyu quieter—same 5A QR covers both.
3
Temple of Heaven photo hack – Enter back gate 06:00; Hall of Prayer empty till 07:00.
4
Free nights – Olympic Park & Grand Canal stay open to 22:00; perfect for jogs & tripods.
4 The Full 5A List
🏰
Imperial Palace · Dongcheng
Palace Museum / 故宫博物院
Ming–Qing court; ¥60; 08:30–17:00; real-name QR 7 d ahead.
⛩️
Ming Altar · Dongcheng
Temple of Heaven Park / 天坛公园
Ming altar; ¥34 combo; 06:00–21:00; real-name QR.
🌸
Lake Garden · Haidian
Summer Palace / 颐和园
Lake garden; ¥60 peak; 06:30–18:00.
🏛️
Ruins Park · Haidian
Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park / 圆明园遗址公园
"Old Summer Palace" ruins; ¥25; 07:00–19:00.
🏔️
Great Wall · Yanqing
Badaling–Mutianyu Great Wall Tourist Area / 八达岭—慕田峪长城旅游区
Preserved + forested ramps; ¥40–45; 06:30–18:00; cable/toboggan extra.
🗿
Imperial Mausoleums · Changping
Ming Tombs Scenic Area / 明十三陵景区
13 imperial mausoleums; ¥100 combo; subway + bus 872.
🏮
Qing Palace · Xicheng
Prince Gong Mansion / 恭王府景区
1777 Qing palace & rock-garden; ¥40; real-name QR.
🏟️
Olympic Venues · Chaoyang
Beijing Olympic Park / 北京奥林匹克公园
Bird's Nest, Water Cube & 680 ha forest park; free entry; venues ticketed.
🚢
Grand Canal · Tongzhou
Beijing (Tongzhou) Grand Canal Cultural Scenic Area / 北京（通州）大运河文化旅游景区
Night-lit locks & museums; free; 08:00–22:00.