I'm not sure if you can skip the visa, but if you can manage to get a day
in PEK, its well worth it. If possible, make it an overnight stay and
relax a bit before you explore. Hotels are not very expensive
and you can do a lot in PEK.


Forbidden city is excellent, so is the Lama temple.
Shopping is plentiful. For little things, you can just sit at the
Tianamen square and the vendors will come to you

If you decide to spend only a few hours, just pick a place and stick to it.
Most of these attractions are huge and will take most of your time.

Its an amazing city.. enjoy!