This summer, the travel patterns of inbound tourists to Beijing are quietly changing, with historical sites, theme parks, and city parks becoming the three most popular destinations. A joint summer survey by DeepBlue Think Tank and Ctrip found that from July 1st to August 20th, 2026, the Palace Museum, Mutianyu Great Wall, and Badaling Great Wall remain among the most popular inbound tourist attractions in Beijing, while historical and cultural landmarks such as the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and Prince Gong's Mansion also made the list. Meanwhile, the popularity of Universal Beijing Resort continues to rise, and Pop Mart City Park stands out thanks to its globally popular LABUBU and other trendy toy IPs. More noteworthy is the DeepBlue Think Tank survey's finding that inbound tourists are extending their reach from traditional core scenic spots to urban public spaces such as Chaoyang Park, World Park, and the Liangma Riverbank, immersing themselves in the daily lives of Beijingers and shifting from simply "visiting" to "living like a Beijinger."

The Forbidden City and the Great Wall remain among the top.

According to research data released by DeepBlue Think Tank in conjunction with Ctrip, Mutianyu Great Wall, Palace Museum, Universal Beijing Resort, Temple of Heaven Park, Badaling Great Wall, Summer Palace, Mutianyu Great Wall cable car and slide, Prince Gong's Mansion, Pop Mart City Park, and Yonghe Temple are the top ten most popular inbound tourist attractions in Beijing.

Among these popular tourist attractions, the Palace Museum, Mutianyu Great Wall, and Badaling Great Wall remain at the top, continuing their popularity from 2025.

Mike, a tourist from Canada, recently visited Beijing, making the Palace Museum his first stop. He said that Beijing is full of ancient buildings and delicious food, and the Palace Museum, as a world-renowned cultural landmark, naturally became his first choice. While there, Mike remarked that the Palace Museum's architecture is both exquisite and magnificent, revealing the profound weight of Chinese history in every detail, and is worth slowing down to appreciate.

What surprised Mike even more during his visit was seeing many Chinese tourists dressed in magnificent court costumes inside the Forbidden City, making him feel as if he had traveled back in time. Mike also mentioned that after taking photos with the tourists in ancient costumes, he was still eager for more and planned to experience wearing court costumes himself next time and have artistic photos taken to preserve this memory of Beijing forever.

The well-known Chinese saying, "He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true man," has become familiar to many overseas tourists as Chinese history and culture have spread, making the Great Wall a must-see attraction for them when visiting Beijing. Luca, a tourist from the Netherlands, said that he was awestruck by the Great Wall's grandeur after seeing images of it online and had always longed to visit it in person and gaze into the distance. This visit, coupled with the guide's detailed explanations, has further fueled his interest in this architectural marvel that embodies the wisdom of ancient Chinese people.

This summer, the Mutianyu Great Wall also received a large number of international tourists. Guo Min, deputy general manager of Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall Tourism Service Co., Ltd., told researchers from DeepBlue Think Tank that from July 1 to August 6, the Mutianyu scenic area received a total of approximately 140,000 inbound tourists, an increase of 106% year-on-year. Inbound tourists accounted for 50% of all tourists.

Regarding the source countries of inbound tourists, Guo Min also mentioned that, according to statistics from the scenic area's ticket windows, the top ten source countries for inbound tourists during the summer vacation were, in order: Russia, the United States, Spain, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, Indonesia, and Poland. The inbound tourist group at Mutianyu Scenic Area during the summer vacation showed a trend of diverse origins and diverse cultural and tourism experiences. The coverage of inbound tourist sources continued to expand. While the traditional source base of tourists from Europe and America remained stable, emerging markets such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America steadily expanded, demonstrating a clear characteristic of diversified tourist sources across all regions.

Guo Min mentioned that in recent years, Mutianyu Scenic Area has further optimized the consumption experience of overseas tourists at Mutianyu Great Wall and has continuously launched a number of diversified experience formats to increase new cultural and tourism experiences and ways for inbound tourists to play.

Universal Studios and Pop Mart theme parks remain popular.

As the number of inbound tourists continues to climb, their travel preferences are shifting from traditional landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall to more vibrant emerging scenic spots. Data from a joint survey by DeepBlue Think Tank and Ctrip shows that Universal Beijing Resort has once again made the list of the top ten most popular inbound tourist attractions in Beijing in 2026, maintaining its high ranking. Meanwhile, Pop Mart City Park, home to globally popular toy IPs such as LABUBU and Starman, also performed impressively, successfully entering the top 10.

During the summer vacation, researchers from DeepBlue Think Tank observed a steady stream of inbound tourists at Universal Beijing Resort. Groups of young visitors, dressed in wizard robes, eagerly took photos in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter themed area; while numerous families with children mainly gathered at the Jurassic World Isla Nublar themed area, enjoying the immersive rides and attractions.

Currently, Beijing Universal Resort is in its summer themed event season, and the park's "Universal Summer Cool" show has attracted many international tourists. "During the 'Universal Summer Cool' show, all visitors are immersed in an interactive area splashing water, dancing to the rhythm of the band; the atmosphere is incredibly lively," said Anna, a tourist from New Zealand visiting for the first time. She noted that some of the park's attractions and seasonal themed events are unique compared to other Universal Studios parks, which made her eagerly anticipate visiting. She and her friends planned a two-day itinerary to experience all the rides and see all the shows.

Beyond the Universal Beijing Resort, Pop Mart, which has become a global phenomenon in recent years thanks to its IPs like LABUBU and the Star People, also attracts a number of inbound tourists to its theme parks. Megan, a tourist from New Zealand, was shopping for souvenirs in the park. She told researchers at DeepBlue Think Tank that previously, at Pop Mart stores in New Zealand, all LABUBU merchandise was sold out; everyone had bought it all. She believes Pop Mart will become increasingly popular.

Another tourist from Spain, Adriana, said that Pop Mart City Park is extremely attractive to families. All the characters are very cute, and the mascots and staff are very welcoming. "Next time I come to Beijing for vacation with my family, I will definitely bring them here," she added. "There are many entertainment facilities suitable for family-friendly tourists, and the kids will definitely love it."

City parks become new leisure destinations

Beyond popular tourist attractions and emerging landmarks, Chaoyang Park, World Park, and even the Liangma River are becoming increasingly popular destinations for overseas tourists, who immerse themselves in the unique charm of Beijing.

This summer, Beijing World Park launched a free admission policy, which clearly attracted a large number of visitors, extending beyond Beijing residents to include tourists from surrounding provinces and even overseas. Karina, a Russian student studying in Beijing, recently visited Beijing World Park with her mother, grandmother, and son. She said she discovered the park while searching for "good places to take kids" on social media, and was particularly drawn to its free admission and fun activities. So, taking advantage of her family's trip to Beijing, she brought them there.

Karina remarked that the park features miniature replicas of famous landmarks from around the world, offering both a leisurely stroll and perfect photo opportunities, making for a very enjoyable overall experience. She also noticed many other international tourists in the park. Karina and her family also experienced the "Food Culture Carnival," sampling snacks and drinks such as chicken skewers, mung bean smoothies, fish balls, and plum juice.

“I’ve lived in Beijing for over four years, and my lifestyle is gradually becoming assimilated by the locals. My family is here for vacation, so I’m taking them to experience what daily life is like in Beijing,” Karina said.

Michel, a businessperson from Germany, mentioned that he chose to stay near the Liangma River while in Beijing on business, as it is both convenient for transportation and full of life. Every weekend, he enjoys going for a run in Chaoyang Park; a lap there leaves him feeling refreshed and relaxed, making it the best way to unwind after work.

Liangma River has become a favorite urban public space for inbound tourists, offering an immersive experience of Beijing's vibrant nightlife. Wen Bo, Deputy General Manager of Beijing Waterfront Leisure Technology Co., Ltd., stated that the Liangma River International Waterfront is a highly representative urban cultural and tourism destination in Beijing, with most inbound tourists opting for a one-day tour. Since the start of the summer season (July 1st to present), the number of inbound tourists received by Liangma River cruise ships has increased by approximately 40% year-on-year.

Wen Bo stated that the main customer base for Liangma River cruises consists of families with children and young people, showing an overall trend towards a younger demographic. The Liangma River cruise offers a relaxed pace and a comfortable waterfront atmosphere, making it ideal for short family getaways. Meanwhile, business team-building activities and expatriate residents in Beijing are also important supplementary customer groups.

Michel further stated that, due to his frequent business trips to Beijing, he particularly appreciates these kinds of urban public spaces. He enjoys jogging in parks, where he sees elderly people exercising in the morning, families picnicking, and young people taking a stroll; he also enjoys taking a boat trip on the Liangma River at night, where residents stroll along the banks, children play, and diners chat and drink in small restaurants lining the streets—it is these vivid and lively everyday scenes that make him feel like he is not just sightseeing, but truly living. He believes this is the best way to experience the lifestyle of Beijingers. (Source: Beijing Business Daily)