
Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM)
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 106 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM) worth booking?
Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM) is a 8-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $150 per person. It scores 79 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 106 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 79 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (106)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $150 per person
Beijing layover small group tour to visit the Mutianyu Great Wall and Forbidden City starting from 9am to 5pm. This is the best option for who have a long layover in Beijing airport.
What you get
About this experience
Beijing layover small group tour to visit the Mutianyu Great Wall and Forbidden City starting from 9am to 5pm. This is the best option for who have a long layover in Beijing airport.
What's included
Included
- Entrance tickets to the Great Wall and Forbidden City.
- China life tourist accident/casualty insurance.
- Service charge & government taxes.
- A licensed English-speaking tour guide and a professional driver with air-conditioning vehicle.
- Free-bottled mineral water.
Not included
- meals.
- Cable cars/toboggan at Great Wall.
- Gratuities, tips to guides or drivers.
What you'll see and do
Mutianyu Great Wall
Be met our tour guide at Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 3 Arrival Hall Starbucks Coffee (right beside the international exit B) at 9am. Drive to Mutianyu Great Wall. You will visit the Mutianyu Great Wall about 2 hours (10am-12pm)
120 minutes here · Admission included
The Palace Museum
Visit the Forbidden City about 2 hours (2pm-4pm). Then transfer you back to Beijing Capital airport (4pm-5pm). End of our service. 1. We will guide you to get Visa-free permit step by step after you booked the tour. And we will make sure you will back to airport in time. We also provide warm coats, wheel chair and baby seat free of charge. 2. We supply a professional driver and a car with licence as well as a professional English speaking licensed tour guide, both of them work for you. We will make sure you can enjoy a safe tour with professional English interpretation both during driving and in attractions, and would not waste your time for parking. Our driver will make sure your luggage is safe while you are not in the car.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Beijing
Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 3 Arrival Hall Starbucks Coffee (right beside the international exit B)
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 3 Arrival Hall Starbucks Coffee (right beside the international exit B)
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Beijing Layover Tour
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour is suitable for your arrival at Beijing airport at Beijing time before 7AM and departs at 7PM Beijing time or later.
- The pick-up address is Starbucks coffee shop at terminal 3 arrival hall (beside the international exit B). If your flight arrive at terminal 1 or 2, please take the airport shuttle bus to terminal 3. But we can transfer you to terminal 1 or 2 to catch your next flight after the tour.
- If you stay in a hotel, please go to the pick-up address on your own.
- The tour duration is fixed, if you would like to stay longer or shorter time at Great Wall. Please choose our private tour.
- If you did not show up on time at the meeting point at 9am, we will go on with our tour.
- Countries qualified for the 144-hour Visa-free Transit in Beijing Capital International Airport: Albania, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Belarus, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Macedonia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Republic of Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.
- The 144-hour Visa-free Transit only applies to passengers who transit through Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing. The destination and place of departure cannot be the same.(e.g Auckland – Beijing – Auckland)
- We don’t take any responsibility if you are not able to get visa-free and get out of airport for some reasons.
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What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 106 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
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
106 verified traveler reviews for Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Layover Tour
Our tour guide Herbie was amazing. He was attentive to every need we had and took time explaining everything clearly. He provided great information on the great wall and the forbidden city. This is a must book! 10/10
via Tripadvisor
Great layover
So smooth and easy. And many thanks to Herbie who made the guided tour even more special. Would really recommend this tour if you are on a layover.
via Tripadvisor
Anazing tour for 8 people
The tour was so amazing!! Our guida Herbie is a fantastic people, talk to us about the culture, chinese traditions and is enjoyable people. The tour is not expepensive and for the conexion fly with Nanila was 11 hours. We visit gratis gall, forbidden city and we could eat in a real chinese restaurante. The sorteo visita was increíble for us for people of the tour. Thank to Daniel to for manages very well our visit. 5 stars and very tecommened boom with us.
via Tripadvisor
Best tour in Beijing for layovers
Doing this tour was our best decision to wrap up our trip, the timing and attention to details made everything smooth for all of us including pick up and drop off. Herbie's profesionalism and knowledge as tour guide made this activity one of our preferred during our trip to China. Fully recommended!
via Tripadvisor
Easy, fun and informative
Herbie was a star from start to finish! All the great reviews of him are true. I was traveling on my own with three young kids and despite them being exhausted he got them engaged and they had so much fun and learnt so much. We've booked in with him again for our return trip via Beijing next month and really can't wait, he's promised me some authentic Peking duck! Highly recommend getting to the wall early if you can as well avoided all the queues
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
- 37
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Beijing Layover Tour, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 65.3.
See everything Beijing Layover Tour runsWhy this scores 79
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM) cost?
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Prices start at $150 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 Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM) 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 Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 79 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 106 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 Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM)?
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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 Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM) 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 Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM)?
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Around 37 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 Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM) 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 Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM)?
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Included: Entrance tickets to the Great Wall and Forbidden City; China life tourist accident/casualty insurance; Service charge & government taxes; A licensed English-speaking tour guide and a professional driver with air-conditioning veh; and Free-bottled mineral water. Not included: meals; Cable cars/toboggan at Great Wall; and Gratuities, tips to guides or drivers. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM)?
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Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 3 Arrival Hall Starbucks Coffee (right beside the international exit B) Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM) 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 Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM)?
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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 Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM) wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Specialized infant seats are available; and Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM) 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 Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (9AM-5PM)?
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Across 106 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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