Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 495 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights worth booking?
Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights is a 4-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $90 per person. It scores 84 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 495 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 84 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (495)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $90 per person
This private tours includes the Forbidden city with the optional sights. If you select only the Forbidden city tour then the tour contains 4 hours If you select it with others you it has optional sights that will continue to go. your professional English speaking tour guide will meet you at the designated hotel in downtown area or set meeting point and walk to visit the biggest city center square in the world - Tiananmen Square then walk to the largest Imperial Palace to understand the emperors in the Ming & Qing Dynasty. You also can learn more Chinese history from your guide. Highlights: - Visit the biggest square in the world: Tiananmen square; - Efficient way to visit the Forbidden City beating the crowd; - See the valuable exhibits and visit less-know halls of the palace; -Optional other important highlights in Beijing such as Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace If you only choose the Forbidden City Ticket service there is just Ticket Service. No Tour NO Pick-Up
What you get
About this experience
This private tours includes the Forbidden city with the optional sights. If you select only the Forbidden city tour then the tour contains 4 hours If you select it with others you it has optional sights that will continue to go. your professional English speaking tour guide will meet you at the designated hotel in downtown area or set meeting point and walk to visit the biggest city center square in the world - Tiananmen Square then walk to the largest Imperial Palace to understand the emperors in the Ming & Qing Dynasty. You also can learn more Chinese history from your guide. Highlights: - Visit the biggest square in the world: Tiananmen square; - Efficient way to visit the Forbidden City beating the crowd; - See the valuable exhibits and visit less-know halls of the palace; -Optional other important highlights in Beijing such as Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace If you only choose the Forbidden City Ticket service there is just Ticket Service. No Tour NO Pick-Up
What's included
Included
- Reserve entry to the Tian'anmen Square
- Private guide service fee (4 hours)
- Entrance ticket to the Forbidden City
- If you book only Forbidden City Ticket there is NO Tour Service
- Urber between Forbidden city to other sights (If Forbidden city W other sights option selection)
Not included
- Transportation to the Forbidden City (If the Option for T Square W Forbidden city 4 hour Tour)
- Meals (lunch & dinner)
- Gratuity (for good service)
- Transportation (hotel drop off)
- Hotel Pick-up within 4th ring road (transportation to the Tian'anmen Square probably costs $50)
What you'll see and do
Tiananmen Square
Depart at your own hotel or meet at the specific area called the Lash Tea house at Qianmen Branch near the Tian'anmen Square and walk to the Tian’anmen Square (after all the security check) with our certificated Tour Guide. You are going to see the ancient Qianmen Gate, the Monument to the People’s heroes and the Great Hall of the people from outside and your tour guide will share with you the history and stories behind all the mentioned architectures.
45 minutes here
The Palace Museum
We’ll spend 2 hours wandering around this amazing example of Imperial architecture and learning about the history of the palace. There is another option: Booking entrance ticket with us. Please bring your valid passport to visit and go to the spot on your own. Forbidden City was the imperial palace from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. For around 500 years , it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government The tour route : Forbidden City is divided into two parts. The southern section, or the Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The northern section, or the Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. You can take the central route or East Route or West Route depending your own interests or even visiting the Treasure house on the East route. After the tour, taking the public transportation back to your hotel on your own.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Temple of Heaven
This is option that has the tour with Forbidden city. & Temple of Heaven. After you finish the Forbidden you can continue go with our tour guide to take a didi or subway from the Forbidden city to the Temple of Heaven which used to be a place for worshiping for the God of Heaven in the Ming & Qing Dynasty. Nowadays it turns to a huge park where the locals use the grand space to do some Taiji or practice and you will see amazing ancient architectures and also understand how the emperors used to worship their ancestors and all the Gods.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Forbidden City W Summer Palace
Duration: 6 hours: Day tour to the Forbidden city with Summer Palace with the entry tickets are included. Excluded meals. Urber or subway : Take the urber or subway to go from the downtown hotel to the sights and pick up from the downtown area are included Pickup included
Forbidden city W Great Wall
Optional sight to the Wall: Mutianyu wall with Forbidden city options with private transportations Duration: 8 hours: 8 hours tour to the Forbidden city with Great Wall in all languages Private transportation : car or mini van depending the number of the participants Pickup included
Forbidden City W Temple Heaven
Temple of Heaven : If you choose this option you will continue to visit the Temple of Heaven after the Forbidden city with our tour guide. Private Tour : Private Tour Duration: 6 hours: 6 hours tour including the visit to the Tian'anmen square Forbidden city and Temple of Heaven Walking with Urber or Subway : Downtown hotel to the Tian'anmen Square (Urber or Subway) Tian'anmen Square to Forbidden city (Walking) Forbidden city W Heaven Temple: The Tour includes the visit the T-Square Forbidden city and Temple of Heaven with public Transportation (Urber & Subway) Pickup included
4-HourT Square+Forbidden City
Duration: 4 hours: Contains 4 hours tour to the Tian'anmen Square & Forbidden city in all languages EN, ES, FR, DE, IT Guide Walking route urber or subway : You will go from the downtown hotel to the square with the public transportation by didi at your own cost All Languages tour : We offer all the language : English, French, German, Spanish, Italian . with hotel pick up (Transportation Fee Not Included) Pickup included
Forbidden city W Hutong Food
Hutongs Food Tour : After Forbidden city you can visit the hutong and try the local hutong food cuisine and understand the food culture here Private : This is private tour with lots of walking Duration: 6 hours: 4 hours Tian'anmen Square Forbidden with 2 hours hutong food tour Hutongs food lunch/dinner : You can take either morning Forbidden city tour with hutong food for lunch or afternoon Forbidden city tour with Hutong dinne Public transportation: Downtown hotel picking up with subway or didi to get around Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Catherine Lu Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Dress code is smart casual
- Please note: Forbidden City is closed every Monday, except the Chinese public holidays
- Chinese citizens need to book the tour one week in advance
- Tian'anmen square might be closed due to the political activities without announcement and if this is the case we will replace with Jinshan Park but there is no refund due to it is free anyway
- Not recommended clients have walking problems for entering the Square
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 487 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
487 verified traveler reviews for Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Thanks for a great time, Bill
We had a great time even though the weather was not great. Bill made sure we were comfortable and shared lots of information and took great pictures of us.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your kind feedback! We're delighted to hear that you had a great time despite the weather. It’s wonderful to know that Bill took such good care of you, shared interesting information, and helped capture beautiful photos to remember your day. We’ll be sure to pass your compliments on to Bill. Thank you again for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Xixi was a wonderful guide!
Everything went smoothly from start to finish. Xixi was very helpful and attentive throughout the whole tour. She found great spots for us to take a break and rest, and she recommended lovely places to eat, which made the day much more enjoyable. She made sure we saw every attraction on our plan, without rushing us. She also took fantastic photos of us, and they are now some of our favourite memories from the trip. She kept asking what else we wanted to know, and she answered all our questions with patience and real interest. It felt like she genuinely cared that we had a good time.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful review! We are delighted to hear that everything went smoothly from start to finish and that Xixi helped make your day so enjoyable. It is especially rewarding to know that her attentiveness, thoughtful planning, and genuine care made such a positive difference to your experience. We're glad she was able to find comfortable places for you to rest, recommend great local dining spots, and ensure you could enjoy every attraction at a relaxed pace. It is also wonderful to hear that the photos she took have become some of your favorite memories from the trip. Most importantly, we are touched to know that Xixi's patience, enthusiasm, and sincere interest helped you feel welcomed and well cared for throughout the tour. We will be sure to share your kind words with her, and we know she will be thrilled to hear them. Thank you again for your support and recommendation. We hope to welcome you back for another memorable journey in China in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Great tour, definitely recommend!
I definitely recommend this tour! My guide Cactus/Xian was great, very knowledgeable and helpful. She picked me up at my hotel, knew how to best avoid lines, and even added an extra stop for free since it was my birthday!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing tour in Beijing with my friends
Just a week ago me and my friends were on a tour in Beijing organized by Catherine Lu Tours and this was an amazing experience. I have to say huge thank you to our guide Xi Xi. She made us feel so comfortable during our two-day trip. She knows all the spots for cool pictures and she is a very skilled photographer. She provided us with all historical information and fun facts about the places we visited. We didn’t have a lot of time considering how much you want to see when in Beijing but we took the most of every second. Overall organization of the tour is 10 out of 10 - the pick up, the cars, the drivers, the choice of the restaurant, the schedule, the route. I can say nothing but thank you for this amazing experience, we really had time of our lives there!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that Cactus took good care of you and made your birthday tour extra special. It was our pleasure to add the extra stop for you. We will pass your kind words to Cactus. Hope to welcome you back to China again soon.
via Tripadvisor
A wonderful day trip with Xixi! Highly recommended!
Excellent day trip with Xixi! She was very knowledgeable and helpful in giving us all the information about the trip and went above and beyond in making this a memorable and informative trip. Thank you for a wonderful day!! Highly recommended!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for this lovely review! We are thrilled to hear you had an excellent day trip with Xixi. It means a lot that she went above and beyond to create such a memorable and informative tour for you. We will pass your kind compliments to Xixi. Hope to welcome you back on another adventure in China soon!
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
- $90 to $310
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 173
- Verdict
- Exceptional
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 84
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights cost?
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Prices start at $90 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 Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights 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 Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 84 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 495 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 Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights?
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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 Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights 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 Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights?
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Around 173 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 Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights 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 Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights?
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Included: Reserve entry to the Tian'anmen Square; Private guide service fee (4 hours); Entrance ticket to the Forbidden City; If you book only Forbidden City Ticket there is NO Tour Service; and Urber between Forbidden city to other sights (If Forbidden city W other sights option sele. Not included: Transportation to the Forbidden City (If the Option for T Square W Forbidden city 4 hour T; Meals (lunch & dinner); Gratuity (for good service); and Transportation (hotel drop off). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 1 listed pickup location in and around Beijing. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights offered in?
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It is offered in German, English, Italian, French and Spanish. 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 Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights?
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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.
Is Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights?
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Across 495 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, photo opportunities. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
What booking options are available for Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights?
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There are 5 options to choose from, including Forbidden City W Summer Palace, Forbidden city W Great Wall, Forbidden City W Temple Heaven, 4-HourT Square+Forbidden City. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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