Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Cruise to the Summer Palace in Beijing
Beijing, China

Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Cruise to the Summer Palace

Outty Ranking 54 5.0 · 1 traveler reviews8.5 hoursFrom $110

Pick your date

Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.

September 2026

SMTWTFS

Loading live availability

Who is going?

Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.

From, per person$110
View availability on Viator

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.

Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

54/100

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 Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Cruise to the Summer Palace worth booking?

Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Cruise to the Summer Palace is a 8.5-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $110 per person. It scores 54 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
54 / 100
Rating
5/5 (1)
Duration
8.5 hours
From
$110 per person

See a different side of Beijing on this comprehensive 8-hour private tour that includes less-visited areas of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Forbidden City. Feast on imperial cuisine, cruise along the former Imperial W

What you get

    About this experience

    See a different side of Beijing on this comprehensive 8-hour private tour that includes less-visited areas of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Forbidden City. Feast on imperial cuisine, cruise along the former Imperial Waterway to the UNESCO-listed Summer Palace.

    What's included

    Included

    • Roast Duck lunch with other dishes and drinks
    • Mineral water
    • Entrance fee and Boat Ticket
    • Private English-speaking guide
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off in a comfort vehicle (business van for 1-5 pax)

    What you'll see and do

    1. Tiananmen Square

      Meet your private guide at your hotel at 8:00am for the short drive to Tiananmen Square, an urban enclave that has witnessed hundreds of years of Chinese history. Since Chairman Mao first stood in the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen Tower) and proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China on 1 October 1949, it has been the symbolic center of China.

      40 minutes here

    2. The Palace Museum

      From here, you'll walk to the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most tour groups hurry along the central axis of the Forbidden City. Your guide will show you a different and less crowded route. You'll walk on the newly opened, 26-foot (8-meter) wall to get a bird's-eye view of the complex as a whole, enter the Watchtower and the East Gate, and explore the Hall of Clocks and Watches and the Treasure Gallery, home to exquisite artifacts hand-crafted in gold, jewels, and jade.

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Summer Palace

      After the famous Peking Roast Duck lunch with other dishes in a local restaurant, continue to take a canopy boat (40 minutes) along the Imperial Waterway to visit the Summer Palace, whose landscaped gardens and pavilions were created in 1750 as a summer retreat for China’s rulers.

      120 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
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Wikibeijing

    Know before you go

    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Passport name, number, is required at time of booking for all participants
    • This is a private no shopping tour, there are no unnecessary stops during the tour; you will have adequate time on each site
    • Seasonal tour only availiable from Apr. to Oct.

    Photos

    Tian'anmen Square on HolidaySummer PalaceMoat of Forbidden CityInside Forbidden CityTian'anmen SquareKunming Lake of Summer Palace

    Traveler reviews

    1 verified traveler reviews for Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Cruise to the Summer Palace. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    1
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Benjamin W · January 2019

    Excellent Tour and Guide

    This tour is great for those that don't have a lot of time in Beijing. This tour takes you to all the main sites and you don't have to wait in line. We were able to see the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace. The Peking Duck lunch was delicious as well. Shen Shen our tour guide spoke very good English and gave us a lot of history about all of the sites. She was very knowledgeable. I highly recommend this tour.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    8.5 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
    $110 to $338
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    0
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 54

    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)49
    Listing quality (10% weight)61
    Local standing (8% weight)51
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Cruise to the Summer Palace: questions travelers ask

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

    How much does Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Cruise to the Summer Palace cost?

    +

    Prices start at $110 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 Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Cruise to the Summer Palace take?

    +

    Plan for about 8.5 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 Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Cruise to the Summer Palace worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 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 Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Cruise to the Summer Palace?

    +

    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 Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Cruise to the Summer Palace suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Cruise to the Summer Palace?

    +

    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?

    +

    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 8.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Cruise to the Summer Palace start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Beijing experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options, Beijing: Top 6 Highlights All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour, Private Mutianyu Great Wall Trip With English-Speaking Driver. 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Cruise to the Summer Palace.

    Pick your date