•Your knowledgeable local English-speaking private guide will meet you in the hotel lobby;
•The guide will assist you in taking a taxi to Tian’anmen Square /Temple of Heaven, helping you save money;
•An air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed driver will pick you up and take you to the Mutianyu Great Wall;
•We will arrange pre-booked tickets for the Forbidden City, helping you save time;
•Tickets for a round-trip cable car or toboggan ride are included.
Itinerary Quick Look
We’re happy to tailor this private tour of Beijing to match your interests. Please note that the time frame is for reference only and may vary due to traffic conditions on the day of your tour.
Your tour guide will meet you in the hotel lobby as long as the hotel is within the Fourth Ring Road in Beijing. If your hotel is outside the Fourth Ring Road, or if you need to be picked up at the train station or airport, the guide can still meet you up, but there will be an additional charge.
Day 1 -Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) – Mutianyu Great Wall – Bird’s Nest & Water Cube
After breakfast, you will drive to the Summer Palace, a well-preserved royal garden that served as a retreat for emperors. Renowned for its stunning landscape design, tranquil lakes, and elaborate architecture, the Summer Palace is a masterpiece of Chinese gardening art. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the most classical gardens in the world. Highlights include Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill, and the Long Corridor, all of which showcase the harmonious blend of natural beauty and human creativity. As you stroll through the palace grounds, you’ll be immersed in a serene atmosphere, offering both a glimpse into imperial leisure life and breathtaking views of ancient pavilions, bridges, and temples.
Following your visit, leave the city behind and embark on a 70km (about 1.5-hour) drive to the Great Wall of China, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. You will explore the Mutianyu section, which is known for being less crowded and well-preserved. This segment of the Wall, originally built during the Ming Dynasty, offers a more serene experience compared to the busier Badaling.
You'll take a cable car to ascend the Wall, and then hike through the most scenic parts of Mutianyu, walking along its ancient watchtowers and enjoying panoramic views of the Great Wall as it winds through the mountain ridges. This is a perfect spot to capture brag-worthy photos of the Great Wall against the backdrop of stunning natural scenery. After your hike, you will descend the Wall via cable car or toboggan. (If you prefer, you can choose to hike up or down, which takes about 40 minutes. Let your travel consultant know your preference.)
After your adventure on the Great Wall, you’ll drive back to Beijing City and stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to admire the iconic Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center), both architectural marvels from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. You’ll have the opportunity to view and photograph these landmarks from the outside.
Day 2 - Tiananmen Square – Forbidden City – Jingshan Park – Hutongs
After breakfast, start your day by exploring the historical landmarks of Beijing with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the largest city plaza in the world. This iconic square holds significant political importance as the site where Chairman Mao declared the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. From here, you will pass through Tiananmen Gate and enter one of the world’s five most important palaces—the Forbidden City (also known as the Palace Museum), a vast UNESCO World Heritage Site. This impressive palace complex contains over 9,000 rooms and was home to 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. As you wander through the Forbidden City, you’ll marvel at the well-preserved buildings, adorned with yellow glazed tile roofs, white marble bases, and exquisite colorful paintings, all showcasing the grandeur of ancient Chinese architecture.
After exploring the Forbidden City, take a short walk to Jingshan Park, a former imperial garden. Here, you can capture beautiful shots of a watchtower from the Forbidden City and enjoy a panoramic view of the entire palace complex from the hilltop, making it a great spot for photography.
After lunch, experience a different side of Beijing by hopping on a rickshaw to tour the traditional Hutongs—narrow alleyways formed by rows of siheyuan (quadrangle courtyards). As you shuttle through the Hutongs, you’ll get a glimpse of old Beijing's lifestyle, visit antique shops and boutiques, and observe the changes in Beijing's history through these unique alleys. You will also have the opportunity to visit a local family’s home in the traditional Hutongs, gaining insight into the cultural heritage and customs of Beijing’s residents.
Day 3 -Temple of Heaven-Departure
After breakfast, your tour guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and continue your journey to the Temple of Heaven, a significant imperial site in Beijing where ancient emperors would conduct ceremonies to honor Heaven and pray for a good harvest. Now a popular spot for visitors and locals alike, the Temple of Heaven Park is a vibrant area where people gather to enjoy traditional activities such as Tai Chi, kite flying, dancing, and water calligraphy. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-see destination for anyone interested in Beijing’s rich cultural heritage.
As your memorable Beijing tour comes to an end, your tour guide may be able to assist you in taking a taxi to Beijing Capital International Airport or railway station.
Inclusions
•Private English speaking tour guide
•Private licensed driver service on 1st day
•Forbidden City admission tickets
•Cable car or toboggan ride at Mutianyu Great Wall
•Private Guide Lobby Meetup
Exclusions
•Meals
•Gratuities
•Personal expenses
•Overtime service fee
Additional Info.:
1. It’s recommended to arrive at the hotel lobby on time to help you avoid the crowds and make the most of your day.
2. In the private tour, the guide can meet you in the hotel lobby; however in the case of no private driver service, the private transfer fee is not included, meaning you will needto take a taxi, and the taxi fare will be at your own expense.
3. If tickets or tours are not purchased at least 7 days in advance, you will need to buy your own ticket and wait in line.
4. Please remember to bring your passport, as it is required for entry into certain attractions.
5. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as some parts of the tour involve moderate walking.
6. On special occasions of national significance, you may not be able to enter Tiananmen Square; instead, you will have the option to view it from the car.
7. The Forbidden City is closed to the public on Mondays.
8. It’s a good idea to have some local currency (CNY) for small purchases, as not all places accept international credit cards.
9. Private driver service is available for airport /station pickup. Please consult your tour consultant for more details.