Beijing · TOUR REVIEWS

The 15 Best Things to Book in Beijing

353 tours  ·  from $5

A long weekend or a fortnight, the problem is the same: one axis, one wall, and a city the size of a small country. The 15 below are the days that earn their place, priced and timed, with the full catalogue underneath when you want to go deeper.

From Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Tours with Options - Meeting in Beijing and riding to Mutianyu
Beijing Great Wall Tours, Mutianyu Great Wall Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Tours with Options

1.Mutianyu Great Wall Tours with Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 9,216 reviews · 8 - 10 hours · from $19Our pick

Take a direct Mubus coach from Beijing to Mutianyu for 4 to 5 hours on the Great Wall. Choose free exploration, a 30-minute architecture talk, a strenuous 5-kilometer hike, lunch, or an overnight villa stay. Guides include Jily, Helly, Amelia, John, Mike, and Jessica.

“We had an absolutely wonderful day today with perfect weather! We visited two of Beijing’s most iconic attractions: Mutianyu Great Wall and the Summer Palace. Our tour guide Amelia was incredibly professional and passionate. She shared detailed historical stories and made the whole trip enjoyable and informative. The Mutianyu Great Wall was breathtakingly spectacular—far more impressive than we imagined. The cable car ride up and the thrilling slide down were such fun experiences that we highly recommend. The Summer Palace was equally beautiful, with stunning lakes, pavilions, and traditional Chinese architecture. Every corner felt like a painting. Amelia took great care of our group, kept u...”

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Beijing: Forbidden City Tour(Group/Private)-Tickets Included - Meeting points and start times
Forbidden City Tours, Private, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours

Beijing: Forbidden City Tour(Group/Private)-Tickets Included

2.Forbidden City Tour(Group/Private)-Tickets Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 7,974 reviews · 3 - 8 hours · from $4

Choose a 3 to 8 hour group or private visit with guides such as Mina, Miko, Maria, or Jay. See Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, then add Coal Hill Park, palace museums, or a hutong lunch. Tickets are arranged, but strict security and long queues require careful timing.

“Our guide Susan spoke perfect English and had a fantastic knowledge of Chinese history. It was exactly why we booked private tour. There is no way we could navigate through tiananmen square so quick by ourselves. Lots of different queues in different places. Susan was absolutely incredible.”

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Beijing: T-Square & Forbidden City Group or Private Tour - Crossing Tiananmen Square Under Tight Security
Forbidden City Tours, Private, Tiananmen Square Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Beijing: T-Square & Forbidden City Group or Private Tour

3.T-Square & Forbidden City Group or Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,446 reviews · 3 - 8 hours · from $17

Walk across Tiananmen Square and through the Forbidden City with a guide such as Tony, Michael, Gary, or Song, depending on availability. Choose a 3-hour Forbidden City visit, a 4-hour square and palace tour, or extend your day to the Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Great Wall, or a dumpling class.

“I had an amazing experience visiting the Forbidden City in Beijing. The tour was absolutely fantastic, and a big part of that was thanks to Song, our guide. He is truly passionate about the Forbidden City, and you can really feel how much he loves its history and culture. I highly recommend this tour, especially with Song as your guide!”

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All-Inclusive Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall - Entering the Forbidden City through the imperial gates
Beijing Great Wall Tours, Forbidden City Tours, Tiananmen Square Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

All-Inclusive Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall

4.All-Inclusive Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,873 reviews · from $128Top rated

Spend 9 to 11 hours with a private guide such as Lucy, Wendy, Bobo, or Jerry, visiting Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Mutianyu Great Wall. Hotel pickup, lunch, admission, bottled water, transport, and a cable car or chairlift and toboggan option are included.

“Bobo cao was an amazing guide, she made everything fun for us, she made the experience one to always remember Thanks so much to her for making my day fulfilled”

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MuBus: Mutianyu Great Wall ENG/ESP/RUS Guided Bus Tour - What happens on the bus
Beijing Great Wall Tours, Guided, Mutianyu Great Wall Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

MuBus: Mutianyu Great Wall ENG/ESP/RUS Guided Bus Tour

5.MuBus: Mutianyu Great Wall ENG/ESP/RUS Guided Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,361 reviews · from $20

Ride a direct MuBus coach from Dongzhimen to Mutianyu, hear a short briefing in English, Spanish, or Russian, then explore the Wall independently for about five hours. Guides such as Kevin, Mike, Taka, and Helly are praised for clear directions. Add a buffet lunch, cable car, toboggan, or a 5-kilometer hike.

“Mike id wonderful person. He shared all the stories behind Great wall and clearly explained us in which way trek. He was constantly had touch through whatsapp during the trek to make sure we are safe. A friendly person. The experience with Mubus was nice. They provided good buffet lunch and their office was spacious to take rest”

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4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets - Meeting up and getting through security
Beijing Attraction Tickets, Forbidden City Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours

4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets

6.4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,863 reviews · from $15

Meet your guide in central Beijing for a 3 to 4-hour small-group walk through the Forbidden City. Hear Ming and Qing stories from guides such as Jimmy, Maria, Miko, and Sophie, then choose Tiananmen Square or Jingshan Park. Bring your actual passport and expect strict security checks.

“It's helpful to get smaller queues as a group and nice to be told the history as we go through the main buildings of such a huge place. Very well organised, well done, Maria.”

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Beijing: Tiananmen Square Registration Service(Ticket) - Getting to the entrance with no meeting point
Beijing Attraction Tickets, Tiananmen Square Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Beijing: Tiananmen Square Registration Service(Ticket)

7.Tiananmen Square Registration Service(Ticket)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,704 reviews · 30 min · from $3

This $3.99 registration service arranges your Tiananmen Square entry online using your name and passport number. You show your passport and emailed confirmation at the entrance, pass security, and may buy Forbidden City tickets at Meridian Gate. Ezio’s team provides instructions and help, but no live guide.

“The fastest way to getting a ticket without having a chinese phone number. Thanks for organising everything. It was a great experience.”

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Beijing Full Day Tours: Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City, Great Wall - Starting at 7:00 am with hotel pickup
Beijing Great Wall Tours, Forbidden City Tours, Full-Day, Tiananmen Square Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Beijing Full Day Tours: Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City, Great Wall

8.Beijing Full Day Tours: Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City, Great Wall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,634 reviews · from $99

Start with 7:00 am hotel pickup inside Beijing’s Third Ring Road, then visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Mutianyu Great Wall. A guide such as Helen or Rocky may lead the group. The $99 price includes tickets, lunch, water, transport, and cable car or chairlift access.

“If you are fortunate enough to have Rocky as your guide, you will have a great day. Rocky is kind, thoughtful, very organized, flexible and all the usual attributes you expect of a top class guide. He even took photos and provides them for everyone. A first rate experience.”

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Beijing: Tianmen Square, Forbidden City & Royal Museum Tours - Meeting at the Bank of China Donganmen Branch
Forbidden City Tours, Museums, Tiananmen Square Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Beijing: Tianmen Square, Forbidden City & Royal Museum Tours

9.Tianmen Square, Forbidden City & Royal Museum Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,288 reviews · from $4

Meet near the Bank of China Donganmen Branch for a guided visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Choose English or Spanish, a small group of 15 to 20, ticket-only entry, or a private tour with flexible timing and optional Royal Treasures Museum access.

“We had a great time with our tour guide Linda! The tour was very interesting 👍”

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Beijing: The Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace Entry Ticket - What the Temple of Heaven visit feels like
Beijing Attraction Tickets, Summer Palace Tours, Temple of Heaven Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Beijing: The Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace Entry Ticket

10.The Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,286 reviews · 2 - 8 hours · from $7

Choose entry to Beijing’s Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace, then use the QR code sent by the local provider at the gate. You can visit independently, or receive help by WhatsApp. The Summer Palace ticket may include four inner sights, while boat rides and some extras cost more.

“Both places were amazing and worth visiting. It takes some time to get from Temple of Heaven to Summer Palace by pubilc traffic. Andy from the company sent me a message how to get there. So I found everything without any problems. Thanks!”

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Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options - Reaching the Mutianyu entrance
Beijing Great Wall Tours, Mutianyu Great Wall Tours, Summer Palace Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options

11.Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,272 reviews · from $20

Take Mubus from Dongzhimen to Mutianyu with an English, Spanish, or Russian-speaking guide, then explore independently for 4 to 5 hours. Entry and internal shuttle rides are included. Optional cable car, toboggan, buffet lunch, and a 5-kilometer route let you shape the day to suit your energy and budget.

“Mike was a funny and friendly guide. Great wall is a must for Beijing visitors. Recommend a Mubus to others.”

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Beijing:Mutianyu Great Wall Private Trip with English Driver - The 1.5-hour ride from Beijing
Beijing Great Wall Tours, Mutianyu Great Wall Tours, Private, Private Drivers, Tour Reviews

Beijing:Mutianyu Great Wall Private Trip with English Driver

12.Mutianyu Great Wall Private Trip with English Driver

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,263 reviews · 6 - 8 hours · from $84

Travel privately from Beijing to Mutianyu with an English-speaking driver such as Peter, Jack, Shane, or Naomi. Your driver handles entrance tickets and the shuttle bus, then gives you about three hours to explore. Early departures help you reach the wall before the crowds.

“Dave the guy who picked us up was great. On time, and nice drive to the wall. Very helpful in answering questions and getting us through all the ticketing and everything. Very friendly guy and would definitely recommend him. He has a good sense of humour which was also good. Highly recommend. Five stars.”

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Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking (Optional: guide service) - Crossing into the Inner Court
Beijing Attraction Tickets, Forbidden City Tours, Guided, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking (Optional: guide service)

13.Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking (Optional: guide service)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,263 reviews · from $9

Reserve your Forbidden City admission for a morning or afternoon visit, then enter with your passport and explore the main halls, palace courts, and Imperial Garden. Add a guide such as Bobo, Summer, Marco, or Maggie, or upgrade to include the Treasure Gallery.

“Marco was a fantastic guide, he was funny, thorough, knowledgeable and super friendly. My friends and I had a wonderful visit with him!”

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Beijing: Mutianyu Gt Wall Trip, Depart 8-10am Bus w/ Tickets - The 1.5-Hour Ride North
Mutianyu Great Wall Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Beijing: Mutianyu Gt Wall Trip, Depart 8-10am Bus w/ Tickets

14.Mutianyu Gt Wall Trip, Depart 8-10am Bus w/ Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,256 reviews · 8.5 - 9.5 hours · from $18

Ride from central Beijing to Mutianyu on a licensed bus, with admission and the park shuttle included. You get about five hours to explore independently, with English help from guides such as Maggie, Lucy, Lina, or Brown. Optional cable cars and toboggans cost extra.

“Everything went smoothly, nice tour guide. Buying tickets for both the chairlift and the cable car is not necessary though, even if you want to visit both parts of the wall. Walking on the wall in between is easily doable for a normally fit person and tickets are rather expensive (140 yuan each).”

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Beijing Hutong Walking Food and Beer Tour at Hidden Restaurants - Starting at the hutong edge
Beijing Food Tours and Peking Duck Dinners, Beijing Hutong Tours, Beijing Walking Tours, Drinking Tours, Food, Food & Drink, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Beijing Hutong Walking Food and Beer Tour at Hidden Restaurants

15.Beijing Hutong Walking Food and Beer Tour at Hidden Restaurants

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,132 reviews · from $80

Follow an English-speaking guide through Beijing’s old hutong lanes for four generous food stops, including hotpot, spring pancakes and noodles in a 100-year-old family home. Groups of 12 or fewer share local beer and soda, then finish with a pint at a neighborhood brewery.

“This was a great way of getting familiar with the Beijing night life and food spots! The guide was very informative and very engaging!”

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Beijing, end to end

Pick a stretch of wall, a courtyard or a table.

The wall

MutianyuBadalingJinshanlingJiankou & HuanghuachengSimatai

On the axis

Forbidden CityTiananmen SquareTemple of HeavenSummer PalaceMing Tombs

Table and stage

Peking DuckCooking ClassesTea & CalligraphyImperial BanquetsAcrobatics & Kung Fu

In the lanes

HutongsSidecarsBike RidesWalksAfter Dark