Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 306 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace worth booking?
Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace is a 8-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $30 per person. It scores 91 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 306 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
- Outty Ranking
- 91 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (306)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $30 per person
This private full-day tour covers four major UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Beijing. It includes a tour of Tiananmen Square, plus visits to the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace. The Forbidden City is cl
What you get
About this experience
This private full-day tour covers four major UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Beijing. It includes a tour of Tiananmen Square, plus visits to the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace. The Forbidden City is closed every Monday. In that case, we will visit Tiananmen Square, Lama Temple, Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven instead. All entrance fees, delicious local lunch, private tour guide and private transfer service are fully included.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private tour
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Entrance ticket
- Round trip transfer
- Gasline, Patrol, Parking, Toll fee
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Tiananmen Square
Your friendly guide will meet you at your Beijing hotel in the morning. During peak periods: April spring break, July–August summer vacation, Chinese Labor Day (May 1–7), National Day (October 1–7) and Spring Festival (mid-February), we will enjoy a hassle-free drive-by view of Tiananmen Square to avoid long security lines that often take 1–3 hours to enter. You’ll still get great views of all landmarks: the Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, Monument to the People’s Heroes, Tiananmen Rostrum, Great Hall of the People, and National Museum of China. We provide free reservation codes for the evening session at Tiananmen Square. Simply ask your guide for the code to visit independently after the tour. On all other off-peak dates, we will enter Tiananmen Square for a walking tour.
10 minutes here
The Palace Museum
Then we will proceed to the Imperial Palace (Forbidden City) — the world’s largest and best-preserved ancient imperial complex, with over 500 years of history. Constructed between 1406 and 1420, the palace has been damaged, looted, rebuilt and restored numerous times. As a result, most of the existing architecture dates from the 18th century onward.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Summer Palace
After lunch, we will proceed to the Summer Palace — one of China’s largest imperial gardens. Originally built as a royal retreat and temporary residence for Qing Dynasty emperors, you will stroll through the garden to admire its stunning scenery.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Temple of Heaven
Lastly, we will visit the **Temple of Heaven** — where ancient emperors prayed for national peace and abundant harvests. Located in southern Beijing, it has been one of China’s most sacred sites for over five centuries. This magnificent complex served as the main sacrificial altar for the Ming and Qing emperors.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest
Visit
30 minutes here · Admission included
Hall of Benevolence and Longevity
Visit
20 minutes here · Admission included
Long Corridor at the Summer Palace
Visit
30 minutes here · Admission included
Qingyan Stone Boat
Visit
10 minutes here · Admission included
Hall of Great Harmony (Taihe Dian)
Visit
30 minutes here · Admission included
Gate of Great Harmony (Taihe Men)
Visit
20 minutes here · Admission included
The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum
Visit
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Guide+private car+lunch
Private driver with car: Licensed tour guide, local food lunch, private driver with car, entrance tickets are all included. Pickup included
Tour by DiDi Taxi & no lunch
DiDi taxi included: You will take DiDi Taxi as the transportation. Your private tour guide will take DiDi taxi for you on the tour. No lunch included: This option does not include lunch, and the cost of lunch needs to be paid by own. Pickup included
Guide+private car+lunch+show
Local food lunch included Acrobatic show included: Middle back seat around row 17-22 Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- zh-TW, cmn, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Lily's Tour Company
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The Forbidden City is closed every Monday. In that case, we will visit Tiananmen Square, Lama Temple , Summer Palace and the Templer of Heaven instead.
- Forbidden City tickets require real-name reservation 168 hours (7 days) in advance and often sell out quickly. We highly recommend you book your tour as early as possible. Otherwise, international visitors may need to queue at the entrance to purchase tickets on site.
- Please wear comfortable shoes
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Passport name and number is required at time of booking for all participants for getting your Skip The Line Forbidden City entrance ticket
- This experience is weather-dependent. If canceled due to severe weather conditions, you may choose an alternative travel date or tour, or receive a full refund.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 306 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
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
306 verified traveler reviews for Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fantastic tour 10/10, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Absolutely amazing experience, got to see some of Beijings best sites with a well spoken and well educated tour guide who had great knowledge about them all. Nancy was 10/10 and we thoroughly enjoyed her tour today. This is a must do tour when in Beijing and you will be very lucky if you get Nancy as your tour guide. Thank you for a great day, Nancy
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you so much for this wonderful review! We are delighted you got to explore Beijing’s iconic sights with Nancy. It means so much that you found her articulate, knowledgeable and rated her a perfect 10/10. We completely agree you are truly fortunate to have Nancy as your guide. We will make sure Nancy receives all your heartfelt praise. Thank you for recommending our tour for anyone visiting Beijing. Wish you lovely ongoing travels, and hope to welcome you back to Beijing again. Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team
via Viator
Was a brilliant tour,...
Was a brilliant tour, Sally was a great and very knowledgeable guide. She was very friendly and made sure all our needs were met. Would definitely recommend.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your positive review! We’re happy you had a brilliant tour with Sally. She is very knowledgeable and friendly, always making every effort to take care of guests’ needs throughout the trip. We will share your wonderful feedback with Sally. Wish you pleasant travels and hope to welcome you back to Beijing. Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team
via Viator
Excellent day from start to finish!!
Linda was a wonderful tour guide, full of endless historical knowledge and always ready to answer all the questions I had. I learned so much about the rich history of China from the various Imperial Dynasties and the intricacies of how they operated. Standout was the stories about the notorious concubine, The Dragon Lady, and how she wielded her influence over the young emperors. We ate delicious food for lunch, then went for a fantastic tea ceremony where I learned ao mycg. The Puer tea was a standout I had to buy some! This tour is ideal if, like me, you only have a few days in Beijing and you want to cover alot of ground. We got Tianamen, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven covered and did so without feeling rushed. Don't hesitate to book this tour!!
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you so much for this amazing and detailed review! We are thrilled Linda shared her wealth of historical knowledge and patiently answered all your questions. It is fantastic you got to learn so much about China’s imperial dynasties, including the fascinating stories behind the Dragon Lady and her influence. We are glad you enjoyed the tasty lunch and the wonderful tea ceremony, and that Puer tea left such a deep impression on you. It’s wonderful that you visited Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven in a relaxed pace without feeling rushed. This tour is indeed perfect for travellers with limited time in Beijing. We will pass all your warm feedback over to Linda. Thank you for your enthusiastic recommendation. Wish you all the best for your remaining travels! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team
via Viator
Fab day out!
Bobo, my tourguide is excellent, very helpful. We enjoy her company while exploring Bejing.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you for your sweet review! We’re delighted to hear Bobo was excellent and helpful, and that you enjoyed her company while exploring Beijing. We will share your kind words with Bobo. Hope you keep these nice travel memories and we look forward to welcoming you back. Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team
via Tripadvisor
GREAT EXPERIENCE!
Our guide, Maggie, was incredibile. Thanks to her we understand every meaning of what we see, from the color to the shape of monument. Maggie was also very nice and helpful, she also booking for us a restaurant for the day after aur tour! SUPER!
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We’re delighted Maggie helped you grasp the deep‑seated meanings behind the monuments, from their colours to architectural shapes. It’s truly amazing that she went the extra mile and even booked a restaurant for you for the day after your tour. Her kindness and willingness to help made your trip extra special. We will pass all your wonderful feedback on to Maggie. Hope you get to come back and explore more of Beijing soon! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team
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
- $30 to $380
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 107
- Verdict
- 90+ Club
Why this scores 91
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace cost?
+
Prices start at $30 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, Temple of Heaven, 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 Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 91 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 306 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. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
Can I cancel or reschedule Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, 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, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace suitable for kids and families?
+
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 Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace?
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Around 107 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-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, 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 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?
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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?
+
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.
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