
Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 12 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower worth booking?
Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower is a 4-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $76 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 12 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (12)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $76 per person
- A glimpse into old Beijing rich history with the knowledgeable tour guide; - Watch and listen Drum performance at the Drum tower (only twice per day); - See the biggest copper bell of China; - Enjoy the peaceful lake view of Houhai, you may have a relax and enjoy a beer or tea (your own expense).
What you get
About this experience
- A glimpse into old Beijing rich history with the knowledgeable tour guide; - Watch and listen Drum performance at the Drum tower (only twice per day); - See the biggest copper bell of China; - Enjoy the peaceful lake view of Houhai, you may have a relax and enjoy a beer or tea (your own expense).
What's included
Included
- Professional English speaking tour guide (4 hours)
Not included
- Meals (Lunch & Dinner)
- Transportation
- Gratitude to the guide (Recommended for good service)
- Entrance tickets
What you'll see and do
Bell and Drum Towers
Our accredited tour guide will meet you at the centrally located hotel and take you to visit the Drum Tower and Bell Tower which were beaten to give the correct time of day. You will climb up to the drum tower and bell tower to watch the Drum performance and see the biggest copper bell in China. They just give the performance twice a day and the well designed route will make sure you won't miss the highlight during the tour.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Nanluoguxiang
Start from the Nanluoguxiang alley, which is the famous and busy commercial street. It's a perfect place for a stretch of unique restaurants, bars, live music, tea and coffee shops, fast food and souvenir shops, etc,... Turn from the alley into the Hutong area, let’s discover the real local people’s life, as well as some old SiHeYuan associated with various famous historic and literary figures.
60 minutes here
Your expect tour guide will take you to visit the Shichahai hutong area and walk around the front lake back lake and Smoke-bag slanting street. By the end of tour the tour guide will either help you to find a way back to the hotel or you can continue to stay at the hutong and spend more time there on your own.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Catherine Lu Tours
Know before you go
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Dress code is smart casual
- Extra fee will be requested after 4 hours tour
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 12 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Small groups
4 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
12 verified traveler reviews for Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent guided walk
Our Guide, Sonia, was fantastic - knowledgeable, sense of humour, great English, friendly, patient. Highly recommended.
via Viator
Amazing
We are glad we chose Catherine Lu Tours. Our guide Cactus and our driver were amazing and everything went smoothly. Will recommend this to anyone visiting China
via Tripadvisor
Experienced and knowledgeable guide
Sonia is a very knowledgeable and engaging guide. It was great to have the walking tour with her the first day in a Beijing as she explained the history of our hutong area and familiarized us with the subway system. She was also patient with our kids and seniors. We enjoyed the tour thoroughly.
via Tripadvisor
Good fun
Jack was super helpful and knowledgable about the local area. Extremely good English so easy to understand his explanations.
via Viator
Great tour
We had a fantastic morning tour seeing the hutong area, bell tower and drum tower. Angela arrived on time at our hotel, and was a great guide! We had a small child and my elderly mother with us so she was very kind and allowed us regular rest stops. Would highly recommend this tour if you have a few hrs to spare. We’ve also booked the Great Wall of China with the same tour company (Catherine Tour) as they were so professional and reliable!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $76 to $135
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Catherine Lu Tours, who run 91 experiences we rank across 7 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.8 and 3 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Catherine Lu Tours runsWhy this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower cost?
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Prices start at $76 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Beijing usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Beijing is not rushed.
Is Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 12 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Beijing, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Beijing can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Beijing and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Beijing within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Beijing?
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On Outty we rank every Beijing experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Temple Heaven, Lama Temple, Summer Palace & Peking Duck Bus Tour, Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall Sightseeing Full-day Group Tours, Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Beijing?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Beijing?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower?
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Included: Professional English speaking tour guide (4 hours). Not included: Meals (Lunch & Dinner); Transportation; Gratitude to the guide (Recommended for good service); and Entrance tickets. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2734 listed pickup locations in and around Beijing. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Beijing. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower?
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Across 12 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, small groups. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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