We had a great experience with Susan. She was very knowledgeable, kind courteous, and brought us to every place as promised; highly recommended.





When visiting Beijing, two attractions you simply can’t miss are the Forbidden City and the Great Wall—they stand as the city’s most iconic symbols of history and grandeur. To help you experience these treasures perfectly, we offer two tailored tour options: a Mini Group Tour (max 8 people) for a cozy, shared journey, and a Private Tour for a personalized, flexible adventure. All-inclusive Tour—you won’t need to pay any additional costs. Both tours start with the Tian'anmen Square, then the Forbidden City—an ancient imperial palace complex that served emperors for centuries, with its grand courtyards and intricate architecture telling stories of dynastic glory. Later, head to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall—a top choice thanks to its well-preserved battlements&sweeping views of lush mountains that make the ancient fortifications even more breathtaking. With a knowledgeable guide by your side, you’ll deepen your understanding of Beijing’s culture while creating lifelong memories!
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $352.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 23.
This Beijing one-day tour offers two travel options—both including hotel pick-up and drop-off to add extra convenience to your journey. Option 1 is the Boutique-Style Mini Group Tour, with group size limited to a maximum of 8 people. This guarantees a more intimate and comfortable experience free from overcrowding, making it perfect for travelers who enjoy sharing their trip with a small group while still getting attentive service. Option 2 is the Private Tour, which stands out for its exclusive, personalized experiences. You’ll be paired with a dedicated private guide who focuses solely on your group: they’ll provide detailed explanations, adjust the travel pace to match your interests, and answer every question you have. This tour is reserved exclusively for your party—no sharing with other travelers—allowing you to relax completely as you move between attractions. No matter which option you choose, you’ll get to explore two of Beijing’s most iconic scenic spots in a single day.
Start your memorable Beijing day by meeting your guide in your hotel lobby—at a time that fits your schedule. Step into a clean, air-conditioned vehicle. As you head out, let the passing city scenery unfold while your knowledgeable guide shares captivating historical anecdotes and vivid tales—setting the tone for a day of discovery. Your first stop is Tiananmen Square—a landmark where grandeur meets deep significance. As both a world-famous tourist site and a key political activity hub of China, we want to share two important notes in advance: First, the square may be temporarily closed by the government for official events; if this happens, we’ll drive past the area so you can still take in its exterior. Second, entry requires security check—if the queue wait time exceeds one hour, we’ll skip the square, to ensure we have plenty of time for the Forbidden City and Great Wall (the core highlights of your day). Please note Tiananmen Square is free to enter, so no refund for this part.
After Tiananmen Square (or our drive-by if adjustments are needed), we’ll head to the iconic Forbidden City. Whether you’re in a small group or private setting, you’ll enjoy a more relaxed start to exploring China’s imperial past. Once inside, you’ll notice: while the Forbidden City’s vast palaces and halls feel majestic, many buildings may look similar at first glance. That’s where your guide shines—70% of your experience here will be through their rich storytelling. They’ll lead you along the sacred Central Axis, uncovering the stories behind every key structure.
Once inside the Forbidden City, your exploration will commence with the magnificent Three Great Halls. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest wooden structure in the complex and was used for grand imperial ceremonies. Here, emperors would hold important events such as coronations and celebrations. Next is the Hall of Central Harmony, a smaller hall where emperors would rest and prepare before ceremonies. The Hall of Preserving Harmony was used for imperial examinations.
Moving on to the Inner Court, you'll visit the Palace of Heavenly Purity, which was the living quarters of emperors in the Ming and early Qing dynasties. Adjacent is the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, the residence of empresses. The Hall of Union and Peace, located between these two palaces, was used for various imperial functions.
After exploring the key areas of the Forbidden City, you'll make your way to the Imperial Garden. This beautiful garden, filled with ancient trees, pavilions, and rockeries, offers a peaceful retreat within the grand palace complex. Along the way, your guide will paint vivid pictures of Ming and Qing dynasty court life—from emperors’ daily routines to concubines’ and eunuchs’ lives—making the ancient walls feel alive. Have questions? Ask anytime—your guide is here to make the history resonate, whether you’re in a small group or one-on-one. You will then exit the Forbidden City through the gate near the Imperial Garden, marking the end of this historical and cultural exploration.
After exiting the Forbidden City via its North Gate, we’ll hop back in the vehicle for a scenic 1.5-hour drive to Mutianyu Great Wall. During the ride, the history doesn’t stop—your guide will share fascinating facts about the Great Wall’s construction, its role as an ancient defense system, and the legends that make it a world wonder. Upon arrival, we’ll first enjoy a hearty, delicious lunch to refuel—perfect for recharging before exploring the Wall, whether you’re dining with a mini group or your private party.
To reach the Great Wall, you’ll have two great options to reach the top—both included in your tour fee: glide up smoothly via cable car, or take a scenic chairlift for a slower, more leisurely ascent. Your guide will explaining the functions of ancient watchtowers and crenellations. You’ll also get free time to wander: snap postcard-worthy photos of the Wall winding through lush hills, soak in the breathtaking views, and soak up the wonder of this architectural masterpiece. After the exhilarating hike, you can choose an exciting way to descend. Opt for the thrilling toboggan ride down the slope, or take the ski lift or cable car back to ground level. As the day ends, your guide and driver will ensure a safe, comfortable ride back to your hotel. No matter if you chose small group or private, you’ll leave with memories of iconic landmarks, imperial grandeur, ancient fortresses, and stories that will stay with you long after your Beijing trip.
Private Tour: We pick you up from your hotel within the 4th ring road of Beijing city, Small Group Tour: 1: This tour is set to leave at 7:00 a.m. on the tour day, though the exact time depends on the actual pick-up schedule. 2: The sequence of pick-ups will be decided according to the number of guests and the distribution of their hotels on the tour day, and will be confirmed the day before departure. 3: To make sure you get the correct details about your pick-up time and location, please be sure to check the email we sent you one day prior to departure. If you don’t receive the email or have any inquiries, we suggest reaching out to us immediately to verify the information and prevent missing the tour. 4: Please arrive at your designated pick-up spot on time as per the confirmed schedule. For guests who are late by more than 10 minutes, we won’t be able to wait, and these guests will be recorded as "No Show".
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For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Beijing:Great Wall&Forbidden City Tour(Mini Group/Private Option) lasts about 8–9 hours. The itinerary has 8 stops.
Prices start at $158 per person for this Beijing experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $352. There are 5 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, starting at 7:00 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:00 AM, 8:30 AM, and 9:00 AM.
Children aged 4–11 pay from $100, adults from $158. Infants go free.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Yes, pickup is offered. Private Tour: We pick you up from your hotel within the 4th ring road of Beijing city, Small Group Tour: 1: This tour is set to leave at 7:00 a.m. on the tour day, though the exact time depends on the actual pick-up schedule. 2: The sequence of pick-ups will be decided according to the number of guests and the distribution of their hotels on the tour day, and will be confirmed the day before departure. 3: To make sure you get the correct details about your pick-up time and location, please be sure to check the email we sent you one day prior to departure. If you don’t receive the email or have any inquiries, we suggest reaching out to us immediately to verify the information and prevent missing the tour. 4: Please arrive at your designated pick-up spot on time as per the confirmed schedule. For guests who are late by more than 10 minutes, we won’t be able to wait, and these guests will be recorded as "No Show". Pickup points include Youbo Member Selected Hotel, Sunflower Hotel.
The experience is available in ZH-TW, CMN, EN.
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 59 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Discover Beijing Tours.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
We had a great experience with Susan. She was very knowledgeable, kind courteous, and brought us to every place as promised; highly recommended.
It was a wonderful day the guide Padma was very useful, kind and well organised. I recommend without any doubt.
This tour was amazing from start to finish. Our tour guide Cassie and driver Mr Wang wenkuan were brilliant!! Cassie was so knowledgeable and helpful and nothing was too much trouble. The wall was the highlight of our time in Beijing and we took Cassie’s advice and went early in the morning missing all of the crowds. Lunch was very good and The Forbidden City was definitely worth the visit. We would definitely recommend both Cassie and this tour !!!
Mina was really fun guide. Very flexible to my preferences, knowledgeable , and really recommended . We went to the China wall and the forbidden city in a private tour , the car and the day weee very well organized.
Very good tour package & in one day you it all , our tour guide Susan is very nice & very knowledgeable
Amazing! Our guide, Sherry, was so helpful and accommodating, she even extended our tour to fit everything we wanted! Not to mention she was extremely knowledgeable and kind. Our driver, Wang, was also there to pick us up within a minute every time, very cool car with gullwing doors, definitely rode in style.
Great history lesson of China. Our tour guide Jack (Tao) was extremely knowledgeable about Chinese history and architecture. Excellent lunch from a traditional Chinese restaurant. The entire day was well planned. Highly recommend.
We booked several private tours during our visit to China and this was the worst one. Do not recommend this company.
We are truly sorry that we failed to make you have a pleasant time this time. After our verification, your original reservation was for May 1st. When the tour guide contacted you in advance to confirm the itinerary, you informed the tour guide that you had made a mistake with the date and it should actually be May 2nd. As is well known, the tickets for the Forbidden City need to be purchased seven days in advance. We had already arranged all the itineraries according to your original reservation. Although we had closed the reservation system and did not accept orders during the May Day holiday, we still managed to reschedule your trip to May 2nd. You should know that the tickets for the tour guide to enter the Forbidden City also need to be purchased in advance. After communicating with the tour guide, we still don't understand why you gave us a negative review. There was a guest who was ill, and the tour guide and the person in charge did their best to drive the car directly to the foot of the Great Wall despite the large number of people there. In order to make it convenient for all of you. When you were not feeling well, the tour guide also asked the driver to drive the car to the closest point to the Forbidden City. If you gave this negative review just because there were too many people, we feel rather aggrieved. After all, you changed the date, and we still did our utmost to help you complete the itinerary in the most time-saving and labor-saving way. You booked a one-day tour that included Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall, and we completed all the scenic spots according to the itinerary. The tour guide and the driver also bought extra fruits and snacks for you, which you took away after getting off the car. We are really sorry that during China's public holidays, there may be tens of thousands of people at each scenic spot. We have already done everything we could.
Sophie was wonderful. Very knowledgeable. The tour was perfectly timed - enough time in each place but not rushed. Our driver was great too. Recommend them anytime!
An Incredible Day in Beijing – Thanks to Linda! This private tour of the Mutianyu Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City was an unforgettable experience—and Linda, our guide, was the highlight of it all! She was fun, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful from start to finish. What really stood out was how thoughtful she was—she took tons of amazing photos of us and always knew the best spots for the perfect shot. Her passion for history made every site come alive, and she handled everything so smoothly that all we had to do was enjoy the moment. If you’re thinking about booking this tour, do it—and definitely ask for Linda. She made our trip to Beijing truly special.
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Beijing:Great Wall&Forbidden City Tour(Mini Group/Private Option) | 8–9 hours | 4.9 (59) | $158 | |
Mini Group: 2-Day Beijing Highlights and Great Wall Tour | 2 days | 4.9 (242) | $294 | View |
Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City Tour with Private/Group Options | 3–4 hours | 4.9 (534) | $35 | View |
Mutianyu Great Wall&Summer Palace Excursion:Group/Private Options | 8–9 hours | 4.9 (851) | $138 | View |
2-Day Mini Group Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall & More | 2 days | — | $328 | View |
Forbidden City, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group Tour | 8 hours | 5.0 (22) | $120 | View |
BusDa-Forbidden City&Mutianyu Great Wall Small Group Day Tour | 10 hours | 5.0 (133) | $17 | View |