Beijing by Bike: Tiananmen & Forbidden City View

Having lived in Beijing for decades, I believe one of the best ways to experience the city is by bicycle. Beijing’s old city is too large to explore entirely on foot, while traveling by car can be slow because of traffic. On a bike, you can move freely.

Why This Route? In 1949, Chairman Mao announced the founding of the People’s Republic of China from Tiananmen Gate. Since then, Tiananmen has become one of the most symbolic places in the country. Visiting Tiananmen Square itself, however, requires strict security checks and can involve long queues.

On this tour, we experience it differently. We cycle along Chang’an Avenue, the grand avenue used for China’s National Day parades, riding alongside Tiananmen Square and seeing Tiananmen Gate up close without joining the crowds.

But Tiananmen is only part of the journey. We’ll cycle past historical landmarks, former imperial grounds, today’s government center, and narrow hutongs where everyday life unfolds just minutes away from Beijing’s grand monuments.

Finally, we’ll climb Jingshan Hill for a panoramic view over the 600-year-old Forbidden City — the perfect ending to our ride through the heart of Beijing.