
Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Tour
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 66 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Tour worth booking?
Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Tour is a 8-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $144 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 66 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (66)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $144 per person
This is a classic Beijing city tour route, covering the highlight wonders in Beijing, such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace. A private tour offers you more privacy and flexibility. Lunch will also be included. The tour makes you a worry-free Beijing city exploration.
What you get
About this experience
This is a classic Beijing city tour route, covering the highlight wonders in Beijing, such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace. A private tour offers you more privacy and flexibility. Lunch will also be included. The tour makes you a worry-free Beijing city exploration.
What's included
Included
- A Chinese lunch at local restaurant
- English-speaking tour guide service
- Private transfer service during the tour
- Hotel pick up and drop off (hotel within Sihuan/3 Ring Road)
Not included
- China visa
- Personal expenses
- Services not mentioned in the itinerary
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Tian'anmen
Pick up at your hotel between 08:30 am. This tour starts in the northern part of Tian'anmen Square. Seeing the Tian’anmen Rostrum is the symbol of the new China. You could see two pairs of 600 years old stone lions, the ornamental columns, the outer golden water bridge, and so on. Besides, having the chance to view all constructions from a distance. Such as the National Flag Pole, the Monument to the People's Hero, the Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, the Great Hall of People, and the National Museum.
90 minutes here
The Palace Museum
From there you will proceed to the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved ancient imperial palaces group with 500 years of history in the world. Visit the Forbidden City along the central axis from south to north for 2 hours.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Temple of Heaven
On the way to the Temple of Heaven, you will have a chance to visit the Chinese traditional medicine culture. After having a short rest, we'll visit the Temple of Heaven -- the largest ancient imperial worship architecture group in the world where the ancient Emperors prayed for peace and harvest. The visit to the Temple of Heaven takes about 1 hour.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Summer Palace
After Chinese lunch (40 minutes) in a Restaurant, enjoy a short visit to a pearl-free market not missed. Driving (40 minutes) to Summer Palace, the largest and most beautiful Chinese imperial garden. It is regarded as a museum of gardens in China. The visit takes about 1.5 hours. Transferred back and drop off at your hotels at about 17:00.
180 minutes here · Admission included
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
- cmn, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Top China Travel
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- This tour is not suitable for Chinese or overseas Chinese tourists
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 66 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
4 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
66 verified traveler reviews for Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A Well Coordinated Trip
From the outset communication with Amelie was excellent. She was quick to answer any questions and sent detailed emails so that we were prepared for our trip. Transfers between locations were well coordinated, with guides making sure we made train connections and greeting us at the destinations. Accommodation was well thought out and overall the trip was a fair price. The only reason this is not a five star review is that there was quite a variation between the guides and the Yangtze River Cruise was a bit disappointing- but I would still recommend Top China Travel as an agency for organising travel in China.
via Tripadvisor
Unforgettable China Tour Experience
Great experience as first timer and exceeded my expectations. Great customer service by Yilin Lu (Luke) who guided, assisted and answered my questions right from the start of my booking until the end of the tour. I would highly recommend him to my friends and families for the next tour. Tour guides of Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai were all friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about facts and history of our tour locations.
via Tripadvisor
What a great way to spend...
What a great way to spend the day getting to learn about the cultural feeling of Beijing. Jason was a fantastic guide with tons of information.
via Viator
Fantastic tour and Exemplary guide.
The car choice, the driver and the guide Judy were impecable . It was part of 16 days trip in China booked ghrough TCT .. from bookinv to execution 10/10. The speed of responsd by Lily .. the care, the Enhlish speaking guide Judy were beyonx magnificant.. Thank you.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing Tour
I was with my family in China and Top Travel China provided a great expirience. The guides, the tour and the service wireless amazing. Special thankfull for guides Amy and Jack who supported us with all their knowledge bringing history to our lives.
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
- $144 to $356
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 23
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Top China Travel, who run 10 experiences we rank across 5 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.1.
See everything Top China Travel runsWhy this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Tour cost?
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Prices start at $144 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 Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace 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 Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 66 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 Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace 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 Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace 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 Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Tour?
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Around 23 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 Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace 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 Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Tour?
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Included: A Chinese lunch at local restaurant; English-speaking tour guide service; Private transfer service during the tour; and Hotel pick up and drop off (hotel within Sihuan/3 Ring Road). Not included: China visa; Personal expenses; Services not mentioned in the itinerary; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 50 listed pickup locations in and around Beijing. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Tour 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 Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace 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 Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Tour 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 Full-Day Beijing Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace Tour?
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Across 66 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, organization, good for families. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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