
Forbidden City, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 21 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Forbidden City, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group Tour worth booking?
Forbidden City, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group Tour is a 8-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $120 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 21 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (21)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $120 per person
Discover 3 Beijing most iconic city sites: the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven on a Non-shopping mini group day tour with public transportation in two sights English speaking tour guide and Entrance tickets to the sights are included.
What you get
About this experience
Discover 3 Beijing most iconic city sites: the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven on a Non-shopping mini group day tour with public transportation in two sights English speaking tour guide and Entrance tickets to the sights are included.
What's included
Included
- English-speaking tour guide
- Public Transportation including Subway & Urber between sights
- Entrance tickets to the Sights
Not included
- Meals (Lunch & Dinner)
- Gratuity to the guide
- Hotel/airport pickup and drop off
What you'll see and do
Summer Palace
After having delicious local lunch in the local Chinese restaurant, drive to the Summer Palace, which is the resort for Imperial family members. You will have a relaxed walk along by the lake and the tour guide will show you the room where empress dowager Cixi used to live, you will gain abundant of relevant history and stories. The long corridor is also one of the highlight of Summer Palace, where you can take wonderful photos. After it you will be transferred to XI ZHI MEN station to say good bye with guide. Your guide will help you find a taxi or subway back hotel.(cost is on your own)
120 minutes here · Admission included
The Palace Museum
Travel to the Forbidden City after the temple of Heaven. Walk from the South Meridian Gate and spend a few hours learning about the imperial palace, which served as the home of emperors as well as the ceremonial and political center of the Chinese government. Discover the center of the Ming and Qing dynasties, who ruled for around 500 years. Explore the southern section (the Outer Court), where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. Continue to the northern section (the Inner Court), where he lived with his royal family.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Temple of Heaven
@09:00 Meet your guide and group at TIAN TAN DONG MEN subway station, EXIT D, Line 5. 天坛东门, D出口,地铁5号线 The Temple of Heaven which functioned as the religious retreat of former emperors. Explore the grounds which today function as a public park. After the tour, continue tour to Forbidden City.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Beijing
Grand Hotel Beijing 北京贵宾楼饭店 电话 : 010-65137788 地址 : 北京市东城区东长安街35号 Address: 35 East Chang'an Ave, Dongcheng District Beijing 100006
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
North Palace gate of the Summer Palace that. you can take subway station or urber to. go back to the hotel on your own.
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 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Catherine Lu Tours
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Infant (1-3 years old) are free providing they do not occupy a seat
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Dress code is smart casual
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 20 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
20 verified traveler reviews for Forbidden City, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Adam - Exceptional Tour Guide
We had the most amazing experience on this tour. Our guide, Adam, was the best tour guide we have ever had. After visiting 33 countries, and getting tours in each of the countries, he has been by far the best tour guide I’ve ever had! He is so kind and has more knowledge than anyone I’ve ever met. He went above and beyond on the tour for us, and made it a once in a lifetime experience. Next time I am in Beijing, we will keep booking him definitely if possible!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. We are truly delighted to hear that you had such an amazing experience. Your kind words about Adam mean a great deal to us. Knowing that, after visiting 33 countries and taking tours around the world, you consider him the best guide you have ever had is an incredible compliment. Adam is passionate about sharing his knowledge and creating memorable experiences, and we are thrilled that his dedication, kindness, and expertise made your time in Beijing so special. We will be sure to pass your comments on to Adam. He will be delighted to know that he helped create what you described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thank you again for choosing us, and we sincerely look forward to welcoming you back to Beijing in the future. We would be honored to arrange another tour with Adam whenever possible.
via Tripadvisor
We highly recommend them! ❤️🙏🌏✨
We would like to sincerely thank this agency — they are truly 10/10! ⭐️ We spent two and a half weeks working together, and we couldn’t be happier with the entire experience. Everything was exceptionally well organized: the transfers, the vehicles, the guides (especially Mia and Justin), and the communication throughout the trip. We have been traveling for over 6 years, and this is by far one of the best travel agencies we have ever worked with. Thank you for all the effort, professionalism, and care you put into making our journey so memorable. We highly recommend them! ❤️🙏🌏✨
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful tour
Excellent guiding and professional organization
via Tripadvisor
We had an awesome day....
We had an awesome day. Our guide Tony was very knowledgeable of the historic sites we visited as well as China in general.
via Viator
Must do your in Beijing
Jenny was a great tour guide! I went to the summer palace the day before on another tour. She then took me to see the temple of heaven instead. That and the forbidden city are a must to visit while in Beijing. She also took me to get some delicious dumplings!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 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
- 7
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
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 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Forbidden City, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Forbidden City, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group Tour cost?
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Prices start at $120 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, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group Tour take?
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Plan for about 8 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, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 21 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, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group 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, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Forbidden City, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group Tour?
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Around 7 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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Forbidden City, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group 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, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group Tour?
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Included: English-speaking tour guide; Public Transportation including Subway & Urber between sights; and Entrance tickets to the Sights. Not included: Meals (Lunch & Dinner); Gratuity to the guide; and Hotel/airport pickup and drop off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Forbidden City, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group Tour?
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Grand Hotel Beijing 北京贵宾楼饭店 电话 : 010-65137788 地址 : 北京市东城区东长安街35号 Address: 35 East Chang'an Ave, Dongcheng District Beijing 100006 Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Forbidden City, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group 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, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group 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.
Is Forbidden City, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infant (1-3 years old) are free providing they do not occupy a seat. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Forbidden City, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group 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.
What do travelers say about Forbidden City, Summer Palace&Temple of Heaven Mini Group Tour?
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Across 21 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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