Forbidden City Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing
Beijing, China

Forbidden City Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing

Outty Ranking 53 5.0 · 1 traveler reviews8 hoursFrom $298
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Outty Ranking

53/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Forbidden City Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing worth booking?

Forbidden City Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing is a 8-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $298 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
53 / 100
Rating
5/5 (1)
Duration
8 hours
From
$298 per person

Unlock an exclusive Beijing day trip that blends iconic heritage with serene, off-the-beaten-path charm! Explore Tiananmen Square and the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City with your dedicated private guide, then refuel with authentic local cuisin. The highlight? Escape the bustling crowds flocking to popular Great Wall sections—instead, head to the peaceful Simatai Great Wall and adjacent Gubei Water Town, where unobstructed views and quiet ambiance take center stage. Choose your ideal departure time to tailor the experience: opt for a morning start to enjoy a full day of exploration under bright skies, or pick an afternoon departure to chase the golden sunset over Simatai’s iconic towers—a picture-perfect moment you won’t want to miss. Travel in total comfort with a private car and personal guide, with 100% all-inclusive coverage: all entrance fees, cable car, local meal , and hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off. No hidden costs, just pure Beijing bliss.

What you get

    About this experience

    Unlock an exclusive Beijing day trip that blends iconic heritage with serene, off-the-beaten-path charm! Explore Tiananmen Square and the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City with your dedicated private guide, then refuel with authentic local cuisin. The highlight? Escape the bustling crowds flocking to popular Great Wall sections—instead, head to the peaceful Simatai Great Wall and adjacent Gubei Water Town, where unobstructed views and quiet ambiance take center stage. Choose your ideal departure time to tailor the experience: opt for a morning start to enjoy a full day of exploration under bright skies, or pick an afternoon departure to chase the golden sunset over Simatai’s iconic towers—a picture-perfect moment you won’t want to miss. Travel in total comfort with a private car and personal guide, with 100% all-inclusive coverage: all entrance fees, cable car, local meal , and hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off. No hidden costs, just pure Beijing bliss.

    What's included

    Included

    • Chinese lunch with soft drinks
    • Private tour
    • Professional guide
    • Bottled water
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off(For hotels within the 4th ring road of Beijing City)
    • Cable car round trip at Simatai Great Wall
    • Transport by private vehicle
    • Entrance Fee

    Not included

    • Gratuities to drivers and guides.

    What you'll see and do

    1. Tiananmen Square

      Your private guide and driver will meet you at your hotel lobby at your chosen time (morning or afternoon). Tiananmen Square Visit Head to Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest city-center square. Your guide will share insights into its historical significance, from pivotal events in modern Chinese history to the stories behind the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. (Note: During peak seasons, if queue time for square entry exceeds 1–3 hours, we will skip the square visit to ensure the smooth progress of your subsequent itinerary.)

      30 minutes here

    2. The Palace Museum

      Explore the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City, home to 24 Ming and Qing emperors. Your guide will lead you through this 600-year-old palace, explaining its architecture, imperial history, and royal customs as you visit key spots. Key stops include: - Meridian Gate: The grand southern entrance, once exclusive to emperors for ceremonies. - Outer Court: The political hub with the Hall of Supreme Harmony (imperial coronation venue), Hall of Central Harmony, and Hall of Preserving Harmony—your guide will detail decorations and imperial hierarchy. - Inner Court: Royal living quarters like the Palace of Heavenly Purity and Palace of Earthly Tranquility, with stories of imperial daily life. - Imperial Gardens: A serene retreat for the royal family, with ancient trees and pavilions. Your guide will point out hidden details and answer questions, helping you grasp the palace’s cultural significance.

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Simatai Great Wall

      Take a 2-hour private drive to Simatai Great Wall. En route, your guide will share a brief overview of the Great Wall’s history and Simatai’s unique traits—well-preserved, less crowded than Badaling/Mutianyu, and set on steep terrain. Feel free to ask historical questions. Simatai Great Wall Adventure (Crowd-Free & Scenic) Take the included cable car to Simatai’s upper sections. Unlike crowded sections, Simatai offers tranquil views of well-preserved ramparts and watchtowers. - Morning departure: Explore the full 2.2-kilometer stretch, hiking and enjoying panoramic mountain views. - Afternoon departure: Witness the golden sunset over the wall; as dusk falls, 3 sections remain open for a magical twilight experience.

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    4. Gubei Water Town

      After the Great Wall, wander Gubei Water Town. Stroll stone lanes lined with traditional courtyard houses, browse local craft shops, watch folk artisans (sugar figurine, paper-cut making), and enjoy water town scenery—especially charming when lanterns light up after dark (ideal for afternoon groups). Meal Arrangement An included local-style meal (lunch for morning departures, dinner for afternoon) is flexible—discuss dining preferences and spots with your guide during the tour. Hotel Drop-Off End the tour with a private drive back to your hotel, concluding your memorable Beijing day trip.

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers.

    Options you can book

    • Day time tour of Gubei Water

      If you want to see the the Gubei Watertown and Simatai Great Wall during day time please choose this option Pickup included

    • Gubei Night Tour

      If you want to see the night view of the Gubei Watertown and Simatai Great Wall please choose this option Pickup included

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    zh-TW, cmn, en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Discover Beijing Tours

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infant(1-3 years old) is free they do not occupy a seat
    • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
    • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required

    Photos

    Forbidden City Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing, photo 2Forbidden City Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing, photo 3Forbidden City Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing, photo 4Forbidden City Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing, photo 5

    Traveler reviews

    1 verified traveler reviews for Forbidden City Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    1
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    siwotravels · January 2019

    Great tour customised to my needs... Miko was fantastic!

    I had a 28hr layover in Beijing, so I contacted Discover Beijing Tours to see what sort of private tour they could offer me. They were really fantastic and tailored a tour to my needs, picking me up at the airport hotel at 10am and dropping me off at the airport at 9pm. My customised tour included Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and Simatai Great Wall at night - it was definitely a packed schedule and there was a lot of driving involved to fit this all in a day but Discover Beijing were so great and obliging to make it happen. I had a chinese-speaking driver and english speaking guide with me for the whole day, and it just made everything easy and seamless. Miko (my guide) was fantastic and really took his job seriously to provide relevant and interesting facts about each place we went to. I feel like I learnt a lot about Chinese history and culture just in one day, so it was well worth visiting the key landmarks. If you have a long layover in Beijing and want a tailored private tour, these are the guys to help you out!

    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
    Price range
    $298 to $499
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    0
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Discover Beijing Tours, who run 82 experiences we rank across 5 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 52.7.

    See everything Discover Beijing Tours runs

    Why this scores 53

    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)12
    Booking momentum (14% weight)0
    Value for money (12% weight)24
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)51
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Forbidden City Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing: questions travelers ask

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

    How much does Forbidden City Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing cost?

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    Prices start at $298 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 Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing 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 Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 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 Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing?

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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 Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing 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 Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing?

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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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Forbidden City Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing 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 Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing?

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    Included: Chinese lunch with soft drinks; Private tour; Professional guide; Bottled water; and Hotel pickup and drop-off(For hotels within the 4th ring road of Beijing City). Not included: Gratuities to drivers and guides. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Forbidden City Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2705 listed pickup locations in and around Beijing. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Forbidden City Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing offered in?

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    It is offered in Chinese and 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 Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing?

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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 Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; Specialized infant seats are available; and Infant(1-3 years old) is free 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 Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing 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 booking options are available for Forbidden City Tour with Night View of Simatai and Gubei Water Town from Beijing?

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    There are 2 options to choose from, including Day time tour of Gubei Water, Gubei Night Tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

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