Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour in Beijing, China
Beijing, China

Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour

Outty Ranking 5911 hoursFrom $40
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Outty Ranking

59/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

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Not yet rated

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Quick answer

Is Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour worth booking?

Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour is a 11-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $40 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
59 / 100
Rating
Not yet rated
Duration
11 hours
From
$40 per person

Two iconic sights in 1 day. Delve into royal history on an in‑depth Forbidden City guided tour, then head to Mutianyu Great Wall for self‑guided time and breathtaking mountain hike. In-depth Forbidden City Exploration (3-3.5 Hours) - small group (Small Group within 15 Pax) Exclusive morning in-depth tour of the Forbidden City. Avoid afternoon crowds, stroll through centuries-old imperial palaces, halls and courtyards, and fully immerse yourself in China’s royal history and traditional architecture with ample visiting time. Long & Leisurely Great Wall Visiting (4 Hours) Extended 4-hour sightseeing time at Mutianyu Great Wall. Enough time for hiking, photography, exploring watchtowers, and optional cable car/toboggan experiences.

What you get

    About this experience

    Two iconic sights in 1 day. Delve into royal history on an in‑depth Forbidden City guided tour, then head to Mutianyu Great Wall for self‑guided time and breathtaking mountain hike. In-depth Forbidden City Exploration (3-3.5 Hours) - small group (Small Group within 15 Pax) Exclusive morning in-depth tour of the Forbidden City. Avoid afternoon crowds, stroll through centuries-old imperial palaces, halls and courtyards, and fully immerse yourself in China’s royal history and traditional architecture with ample visiting time. Long & Leisurely Great Wall Visiting (4 Hours) Extended 4-hour sightseeing time at Mutianyu Great Wall. Enough time for hiking, photography, exploring watchtowers, and optional cable car/toboggan experiences.

    What's included

    Included

    • Entrance fees
    • Headset for Forbidden City
    • In-vehicle air conditioning
    • 3 hrs guided tour of the Forbidden City

    Not included

    • Lunch
    • Great Wall Cable Car or Toboggan (Optional)
    • Great Wall guided tour (4 hrs self-guided tour at Mutianyu)

    What you'll see and do

    1. Tongzi River

      Gather at Donghua Gate. Walk along the quiet outer moat (Tongzi river) path beside the Forbidden City ancient city wall to reach Meridian Gate. Finish ticket checking and entry procedures at Meridian Gate.

      Pass by without stopping

    2. Forbidden City Walking Route

      08:30 – 11:30 | In-depth Forbidden City Sightseeing Furniture Gallery (Exclusive Stop), Enter the Forbidden City and first visit the Palace Furniture Gallery, a rarely visited hidden boutique spot missed by most regular tour routes. Three Main Halls (Outer Court): ● Taihe Hall (Hall of Supreme Harmony) ● Zhonghe Hall (Hall of Central Harmony) ● Baohe Hall (Hall of Preserving Harmony) Treasure Gallery & Nine-Dragon Wall, Walk along the iconic Nine-Dragon Wall, enjoying precious royal jewels, gold wares and imperial collections. Continue to Qianlong Garden, a private imperial garden built for Emperor Qianlong's retirement. Pavilion of Cheerful Melodies. It was the royal theatre for imperial festivals and grand performances Hall of Joyful Longevity. A noble imperial hall in the Ningshou Palace area. Imperial Concubine Zhen's Well + East Corridor Path (YIN YANG Alley ). An ancient well with profound historical stories, located in the quiet backyard of the Forbidden City.

      180 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Mutianyu Great Wall

      Long & Leisurely Great Wall Visiting (4 Hours) Extended 4-hour sightseeing time at Mutianyu Great Wall. Enough time for hiking, photography, exploring watchtowers, and optional cable car/toboggan experiences. Arrival about 13:30 (lunch on your own) ---------- 4 hrs self-guided tour ---------- 1) Taking chairlift to the [No.]6th Watchtower of the Great Wall where you can take a [toboggan/slide or chairlift ]down, hiking route from [6th - 1st - 6th or 6th - 14th - 6th ] 2.Walking up the Great Wall along the stone steps (like a mountain hike - about 45 minute hike) - to the [6th .8th .10th or 12th] Watchtower, totally Self-Guided free and easy to walk as your wish. 3.Taking cable car up to the Great Wall - to the 14th Watchtower, route from 14th -20nd, 4.Take cable car up to 14th the west route to 20th then back to 6th to [toboggan /slide or chairlift] down. cable car or toboggan are optional choice(you can purchase on bus/in the park)

      240 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Beijing

    Your Team wear blue vests and hold a blue flag with theZANBUS logo. They will wait here (Donghuamen ) every day, so you can find them easily and not miss them. Gathering takes about 10 minutes. Walk along the quiet outer moat (Tongzi river) to reach Meridian Gate. Finish ticket checking and entry.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    For saving some traffic time and more things to do after this trip, Drop-off point will be nearby the Lama Temple metro station(LINE 2/5). There are many popular restaurants, bars and old hutongs 19:30 The end time is for reference only; please be aware that it may change due to traffic conditions.

    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
    Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Zanbus

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour in Beijing, photo 2Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour in Beijing, photo 3Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour in Beijing, photo 4Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour in Beijing, photo 5Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour in Beijing, photo 6Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour in Beijing, photo 7

    Good to know

    Duration
    11 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    0
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Zanbus, who run 7 experiences we rank across 5 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 71.0.

    See everything Zanbus runs

    Why this scores 59

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)91
    Review evidence (18% weight)0
    Booking momentum (14% weight)0
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)81
    Local standing (8% weight)50
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.

    How much does Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour cost?

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    Prices start at $40 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 Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour take?

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    Plan for about 11 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 Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 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 Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour?

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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 Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 11-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour?

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    Around 0 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 11-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour 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 Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour?

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    Included: Entrance fees; Headset for Forbidden City; In-vehicle air conditioning; and 3 hrs guided tour of the Forbidden City. Not included: Lunch; Great Wall Cable Car or Toboggan (Optional); and Great Wall guided tour (4 hrs self-guided tour at Mutianyu). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour?

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    Your Team wear blue vests and hold a blue flag with theZANBUS logo. They will wait here (Donghuamen ) every day, so you can find them easily and not miss them. Gathering takes about 10 minutes. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour 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 Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour?

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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 Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour 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.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Forbidden City Guided & Mutianyu Great Wall Self Guided Day Tour.

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