
Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 330 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace worth booking?
Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace is a 8-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $130 per person. It scores 88 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 330 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 88 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (330)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $130 per person
Do full justice to three of Beijing’s must-see sights with a privately guided city sightseeing trip. Check out Tiananmen Square, the immense square at the heart of the city, and explore the highlights of the Forbidden Palace and the Summer Palace on guided walking tours. All entrance fees, private transfer with driver, hotel pickup and drop off all transfer with lunch at local Chinese restaurant are all inclusive.
What you get
About this experience
Do full justice to three of Beijing’s must-see sights with a privately guided city sightseeing trip. Check out Tiananmen Square, the immense square at the heart of the city, and explore the highlights of the Forbidden Palace and the Summer Palace on guided walking tours. All entrance fees, private transfer with driver, hotel pickup and drop off all transfer with lunch at local Chinese restaurant are all inclusive.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Entrance Tickets to the Sights
- Transportation (Private Transfer or Subway according to options you choose)
- Lunch in a local Chinese restaurant
- Professional English/other language guide
Not included
- Dinner
- Gratuities
- Personal Cost
What you'll see and do
Tiananmen Square
After picking you up from your centrally located hotel in Beijing in the morning, you will start your day trip by visiting Tian'anmen Square, the world’s largest public square. Explore the sites around the square with opportunities to take some amazing pictures.
30 minutes here
The Palace Museum
Then you will spend a couple of hours wandering around the magnificent Forbidden City which is an amazing example of Imperial architecture, and you will learn about the history and stories of the palace. Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, and Gu Gong in Chinese, lies at the city center of Beijing, and once served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911AD). There is another option: just purchase the entrance ticket to Forbidden City. You can use your passport to enter.
180 minutes here · Admission included
Summer Palace
After lunch, head to Summer Palace and visit the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China. It greatly influences Chinese horticulture and landscape with its famous natural views and cultural interests, which also has long been recognized as 'The Museum of Royal Gardens'. You will get a chance to take a boat ride at the Summer Palace (opens from 1st April to 30th Oct.) to enjoy the Kunming lake and also get off at the south-facing island and leave from another exit. There is another option: purchase the entrance ticket to Summer Palace. We will send you the QR code in advance, you can scan to enter freely.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Options you can book
EN, ES, FR, DE, ITGuide+Subway
Including Spanish/German/Italian/French guide, entrance tickets, hotel pickup and drop off all subway & Didi transportation. Pickup included
Special Guide+Private Transfer
Including Spanish/German/Italian/French guide, entrance tickets, hotel pickup and drop off all private transfer. Pickup included
English Guide+Subway
Including private English guide, all entrance tickets, local lunch, hotel pick up and drop off all subway transportation. Pickup included
English Guide+Private Transfer
Including private English guide, all entrance tickets, local lunch, hotel pick up and drop off all private transfer. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, cmn, 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
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please wear comfortable shoes
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please make sure to provide your full name and passport number for entrance tickets purchase to Forbidden City in advance
- If you prefer to have different language tour guide than English one, please kindly make your booking with request 3 days advance
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 324 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
324 verified traveler reviews for Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great day, great guide.
What a day out with our guide May, such deep knowledge, with information shared with such passion and care. We all learnt so much, and the tour gave us a far deeper experience than we ever could’ve imagined. May was such a lovely person and very generous guide. Patient with questions and when we needed a break from the sun, she accommodated. Would higher recommend this tour.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We are delighted to hear that May made your day so memorable. It is especially rewarding to know that her deep knowledge, passion, and thoughtful explanations helped bring the experience to life and provided a much deeper understanding than you expected. We are also pleased to hear that May was attentive to your needs throughout the tour, patiently answering questions and ensuring everyone remained comfortable, even during the warmer parts of the day. Her caring and generous approach is exactly what we hope every traveler experiences. We will be sure to share your kind words with May. Thank you again for your recommendation and support. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable journey in China!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing day around the city
Our guide Jenny and driver were amazing! The summer palace was beautiful and our guide had so much knowledge to share with us throughout the day. She knew all the best sites and tips for seeing things at each location. The lunch spot was incredible as well! Definitely recommend doing this private tour to get the most out of your day and have a truly authentic experience with a knowledgeable guide.
Response from the operator: We truly appreciate your kind words. It’s our pleasure that Jenny helped you explore the Summer Palace and gave you useful travel tips. We are glad our tour met your expectations. We really appreciate your recommendation.
via Viator
Excellent tour
This was a great get to know Beijing. My guide May was excellent, spoke English very well, gave overall history and I asked lots of questions. She had a good pace and always knew where we were going. Slipped the lines because of her knowledge. My driver Lu was also excellent, professional driver and smooth in all the traffic racing around Beijing. I felt very safe in his van. Nice that they gave water and went to a local lunch spot.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for this wonderful review! We are thrilled that May’s great explanations and thoughtful arrangement, together with driver Lu’s reliable driving, brought you a fantastic Beijing experience. It is our pleasure to help you explore the city and taste local food. Your recognition means a lot to our whole team. Hope to welcome you back to China again soon.
via Viator
Not to be missed tour
Despite the long lines and the crowds, we had a very enjoyable tour with Jenny. We learned a lot about China, past and present. She was engaging, knowledgeable and patient. She took time to answer all our questions, and we asked a lot! We highly recommend this tour, and Jenny as a tour guide.
via Tripadvisor
Outstanding
Fabulous tour of Forbidden City and Tianamen Square. Angel was amazing and took excellent care of us. I highly recommend this tour
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $130 to $380
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 115
- 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 88
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace cost?
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Prices start at $130 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 Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace 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 Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 88 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 330 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Beijing, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace?
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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 Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace 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 Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace?
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Around 115 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 Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace 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 Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace?
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Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off; Entrance Tickets to the Sights; Transportation (Private Transfer or Subway according to options you choose); Lunch in a local Chinese restaurant; and Professional English/other language guide. Not included: Dinner; Gratuities; and Personal Cost. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2254 listed pickup locations in and around Beijing. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace offered in?
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It is offered in German, Chinese, 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 Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace?
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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.
What happens to Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace 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 Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace?
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Across 330 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace?
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There are 4 options to choose from, including EN, ES, FR, DE, ITGuide+Subway, Special Guide+Private Transfer, English Guide+Subway, English Guide+Private Transfer. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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