Top 10 1-Day Tours in Beijing

1.Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace Private Day Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 209 reviews · from $185Our pick

You’ll visit Mutianyu Great Wall and the Summer Palace in one private, 8 to 9-hour day, with hotel pickup, lunch, entrance fees, and cable car or chair lift plus toboggan included. Guides such as Kelly, Violet, and Pietro have been praised for clear explanations and smooth timing.

“We had an amazing trip with our guide. She was very knowledgeable with the areas and we got wonderful photos and memories to last! We enjoyed the tour so much we ended up booking a second day for the city afterwards. Would recommend again.”

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2.Private Custom Tour or Private Tour: Beijing in One Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 119 reviews · from $75

You get an eight-hour private Beijing guide and the freedom to set the agenda. Choose the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, temples, hutongs, pandas, or the Great Wall. Guides such as William and Cora Lin have helped guests use the subway, taxis, and local restaurants, but transport, food, and many entrance fees may cost extra.

“Tour guide was very respectful, knowledgeable, flexible, and patient. He did take me to the places I wanted to visit and recommended additional places for shopping and gifts. Some of the shops were pushed a little but I only did what I really wanted to do and spent time where I wanted to go. I always knew were my guide was and felt safe traveling alone as a female. I highly recommend the to add the car ad driver to have more time or more places to visit. The price for it was very reasonable. I highly recommend this over the rigid tour because it gives so much more to…”

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3.Private Beijing Day Trip: Mutianyu Great Wall and Ming Tombs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 114 reviews · from $176

Spend about nine hours with a private guide and vehicle visiting Mutianyu Great Wall and one Ming Tombs site. Guides such as Coco, Kelly, Lina, and Rita have led the route. Lunch, hotel pickup, drop-off, and entrance fees are included, but cable car and toboggan tickets cost extra.

“The high lite of this tour was definitely the Great Wall and the tour guide- Coco. She was knowledgeable and went above and beyond - even getting us tickets to an acrobatic show the next day.Compared to other tours we took- she was engaged and interested.”

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4.Full Day Trip Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Sq.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 110 reviews · from $99

You’ll spend a full day with a private English-speaking guide and chauffeur, visiting Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Mutianyu Great Wall. Hotel pickup, entrance fees, lunch, and round-trip cable car or chairlift and toboggan service are included. Guide Jerry has earned praise for his lively explanations.

“Jerry our guide was very enthusiastic despite the bad weather. He taught us a lot about the whole history of Beijing. The Chinese architecture is fascinating. A good guide is a must have if you really want to enjoy the tour. At the end of the day, a great tour to have an overall look of what Beijing has to offer!”

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5.Water-Great Wall Odyssey: Hike & Cruise One Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · 9 hours · from $52Best value

Travel from central Beijing to Huanghuacheng Great Wall for a boat ride, lake views, and a flexible hike along one of China’s most unusual wall sections. English-speaking guides such as Cici, Shannon, Joy, and Rachel help with history, directions, photos, and optional rafting, kayaking, and scenic rides.

“I had an amazing trip to the Great Wall with my guide, Cici. She explained the history in detail and made everything easy to understand, which helped me truly appreciate the experience. Cici was very friendly, ensured I felt comfortable, and even gave me helpful advice on how to spend the rest of my days in China. The scenery was breathtaking, with stunning views of both the Wall and the lake. I also appreciated the variety of activities suggested—Cici helped me choose ones I really enjoyed, like rafting and kayaking. I highly recommend her if you want a trip that’s both insightful and enjoyable!”

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6.Small Group-Jinshanling Great Wall 1-day tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $61

Travel from central Beijing to Jinshanling in a small group of up to 15 people. After a 2 to 2.5-hour coach ride, you get three hours to hike independently from Brick Crenel toward East Five Window Tower. Transport, admission, shuttle buses, and bottled water are included. Cable cars and food cost extra.

“Everything ok, perfect sunny day, less people up, guide Tony very well, but the meal not: fast Chinese food.”

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7.Private Day Trip to Jinshanling Great Wall with English Speaking Driver

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $135

Start from your Beijing hotel and ride in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to Jinshanling. Hike for 3 to 4 hours toward Simatai West, passing more than 15 watchtowers. Drivers such as Andrew, Peter, David, and Jimmy have helped with tickets, timing, meals, and practical details.

“Mr.Andrew from Leo’s Private Tour was a fantastic host for our trip to Jinshanling Great Wall. He was punctual and friendly, with a beautiful car that was clean and comfortable with reclining seats - perfect for a nap after a very early wakRead more”

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8.Private Day Trip to Tianjin from Beijing by Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · from $229

Take a private 10-hour trip from Beijing to Tianjin with a guide such as Lily, Kris, or Maggie. Ride first class or business class, visit Jingyuan, Five Great Avenues, the Porcelain House, Ancient Culture Street, and the riverside, with lunch, tickets, and central hotel transfers included.

“A great contrast to Beijing, a very lively and modern city with great architecture and unique collections like the Porcelain House. The train ride was terrific and Maggie a competent, entertaining, very well organised guide and conversation partner!”

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9.Private Day Trip: Discover Tianjin by Bullet Train from Beijing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $224

Travel from Beijing to Tianjin by second-class bullet train with a private guide such as Maggie, Hellen, or Lisa. Visit the Porcelain House, Five Great Avenues, Tianjin Eye, and Ancient Culture Street, with lunch, tickets, hotel transfers, and Tianjin transport included.

“My tour guide Maggie and I had a great trip to Tianjin on the bullet train. Always wanted to try the train. We saw many areas of the city, the ceramic house, Tianjin Eye of Tianjin Ferris wheel, a great lunch and great conversation. Thanks Maggie for making my trip so memorable.”

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10.Datong Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Monastery 1-day from Beijing by Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $399

Ride the Beijing-Datong bullet train for about two hours each way, then explore the UNESCO-listed Yungang Grottoes and cliffside Hanging Monastery with a private English-speaking guide. Star is specifically praised for clear historical commentary and careful time management. Shanxi-style lunch adds a local touch.

“A must see if you enjoy culture, history, and unique experiences. The train ride was smooth and quiet. Star was an extremely professional and knowledgeable guide. I am so glad that I hadn't tried to do this trip on my own. His knowledge of local history kept me in thralled the entire trip.”

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