What are your "must-see attractions" in Beijing, everyone will tell me the Great Wall and Forbidden City, of course, Great Wall and Forbidden City are both top attraction in Beijing, it is really hard for me to tell you which one is the more preferential. It's same regret for travelers to lose one of them. But what else beside these two?, maybe some travelers are not clear, according to my experience, I would try my best to provide you my recommendation from a westerner's eyes!

Of course, I don't want to introduce those historical sites in Beijing, it's too much on the other guide books and travel web. Over here, my purpose is only to give you more detailed directions.

First rank attraction:
Great Wall of China, Forbidden City and Tian'anmen Square

Undoubtedly, Great Wall and Forbidden City are both top historical sites of Beijing, Great Wall is the greatest man-made defense construction of the world, Forbidden City is the largest imperial palace of the world. Forbidden City is unique, but the Great Wall have many separate sections in Beijing, which one is appropriate for you? We would talk about it in the other articles.
in generally, do not lost any one of them in any case even if you just one day for free!

Tian'anmen Square, the largest city square of the world, everyday there’s the national flag-raising ceremony here, thousands of people get up early in order to have a look at the national flag-raising ceremony, different time in different seasons. Walking across it, you can get to the Forbidden City, but I recommend you to go there in the evening if you have free leisure.

Second rank attraction:
Summer Palace, Hutong Rickshaw Tour, Chinese Kong Fu Show at night

Summer Palace is the most beautiful imperial garden of China, over there, you will start to realize the life of ancient Chinese emperors. You can see  many beautiful views over there. Hutong Rickshaw Tour, is a kind of guided tour to help you touch the common Chinese people's life, guided with local guide, you are going to walk around the old Beijing area by rickshaw for 3 hours, meet and talk to local Chinese at their houses.

Chinese Kong Fu Show is the best night-program choice, absolutely bring you an impressive and wonderful performance, through my traveler's constantly pipe, I know they really enjoy it much more than Beijing Opera.

Third rank attraction:
Temple of Heaven, Ming Tombs, Beijing Roast Duck, Silk Market.

Temple of Heaven is the ancient imperial worship building; it looks very huge, but there are only tree buildings inside,actually the last one building-the hall of pray for good harvest is the best one worth to visit, the others, if you've been the Forbidden City, you would not feel any differances.

Ming Tombs is the imperial mausoleum of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it's on the way to Badaling Great Wall or Mutianyu Great Wall, so, if you choose the other part of Great Wall, you will lost it.

Beijing Duck is quite famous local cuisine, most famous restaurant is called Quanjude which mentioned at all the guide books, but I don't recommend you go there, too much for tourist atmosphere, our trip advisor will give you the new one if you need.

Silk Market: most interesting free market of Beijing, of course, Beijing has many free markets like Pearl Market, Yaxiu Market. but If you don't have enough time, Silk Market would not let you down.

Forth rank attraction:
Lama Temple, Panda Garden, Beijing Opera

Lama Temple is the largest Tibetan Buddhism temple of Beijing, it is not very large, but can help you realize some Tibetan Buddhism culture.

In Panda Garden, you can see the national treasure of China—the giant panda, and their lifestyle.

Beijing Opera, the quintessence of Chinese culture. Different kind of music. You can get relaxed after the whole day tour.