
Private Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower worth booking?
Private Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower is a 6-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $49 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (3)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $49 per person
Discover old traditional Beijing starting from hutong area with the 5 hours tour in the morning or afternoon, stroll the alleys, bridges to understand how local citizens' real life, then visit the Prince Gong's Mansion, the house of minister Heshen in Qing Dynasty. Followed to climb the Bell and Drum Tower to watch the Drum-Beating Performance.Try local goluptious snacks (your expense). Only includes English speaking guide service and entrance fees.
What you get
About this experience
Discover old traditional Beijing starting from hutong area with the 5 hours tour in the morning or afternoon, stroll the alleys, bridges to understand how local citizens' real life, then visit the Prince Gong's Mansion, the house of minister Heshen in Qing Dynasty. Followed to climb the Bell and Drum Tower to watch the Drum-Beating Performance.Try local goluptious snacks (your expense). Only includes English speaking guide service and entrance fees.
What's included
Included
- Entrance Tickets to the Sights
- English-speaking tour guide service fee
Not included
- Transportation service
- Rickshaw ride
- Food and drinks
- Personal expense
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Bell and Drum Towers
You will be picked up by the private tour guide at the hotel lobby at either 8am or 13:00pm and take public transportation or taxi (at your own cost) to the hutong area near the Drum Tower and Bell Tower which stand at the end of the central axis line in Beijing. They are used to tell the time for the city. You can also climb to the top and watch the drum beating performance at the certain times
60 minutes here · Admission included
Prince Kung's (Gong) Mansion
After that walk to the Prince Kung's Mansion (known as Gong Wang Fu in Chinese) is the best preserved Qing Dynasty princely mansion and used to house several families, which shows us a typical example of how the upper class lived in that time. It has orderly layout and excellent architecture craftsmanship, beautiful pavilions, halls, corridors, bridges, courtyards can be seen everywhere, which fully reflects the great fusion of the exquisite and delicate style of the royal family and the simple and elegant folk style of Qing Dynasty.
120 minutes here · Admission included
After visiting the Prince Gong's Palace you will wonder around the hutongs at the Shichahai lake. It consists of front lake; west lake and rear lake all surrounded by old-style Beijing houses. You will understand how old people live and their status according to their courtyard architectures. By the end of tour your private tour guide will help you to find a way to go back to the hotel or you can just spend more time at this area or take lunch or dinner on your own.
60 minutes here
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
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 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
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Small groups
1 mentionThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Private Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Tour!
Really good tour, highly recommended. Henry was very knowledgeable about the areas we went to. Prince Gong’s mansion is beautiful and well maintained, and the Drum and Bell Towers are beautiful with great views from the top.
via Tripadvisor
Enjoyable, information-packed tour--Prince Gong's Palace and nearby hutong
Tony was an excellent guide to Prince Gong's Palace and the nearby hutong. His knowledge of late Qing history is expansive and his English is excellent. He's erudite, plain-spoken, and pleasant. The hours passed quickly and I learned a ton! Thank you!
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful private tour
Catherine Lu Tour agency was so easy to work with that we booked several of their tours. Their tour prices are also the best. We thoroughly enjoyed our Drum Tower, Bell Tower, Hutong, Lama Temple, Confucius Temple tour and our guide, Lena, was personable and extremely knowledgeable about each of these sites. We highly recommend this agency and Lena.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $49 to $175
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
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 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Private Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower cost?
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Prices start at $49 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 Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower take?
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Plan for about 6 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 Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 3 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 Private Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower?
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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 Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower?
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Around 1 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 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower 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 Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower?
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Included: Entrance Tickets to the Sights; and English-speaking tour guide service fee. Not included: Transportation service; Rickshaw ride; Food and drinks; and Personal expense. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2554 listed pickup locations in and around Beijing. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower 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 Private Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower?
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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 Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower 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 Hutong Tour: Prince Gong's Palace, Drum & Bell Tower?
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Across 3 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, photo opportunities. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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