Private Beijing Walking Tour of the Forbidden City with 7 Options

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Private Beijing Walking Tour of the Forbidden City with 7 Options

By Discover Beijing Tours

Exceptional

Free cancellation available

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Features

Free cancellation available
6h
Mobile voucher
Instant confirmation
Selective hotel pickup
Multiple languages

Overview

As Beijing’s most iconic landmark, the Forbidden City is a must-visit highlight—and we offer tailored flexible packages to match your travel style: guided walking tours, all-inclusive trips with return private transfers, bundles featuring authentic Hutong lunch, plus in-depth tours covering the palace’s museums, Jingshan Park and combo visits to the Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace & the Great Wall.

Most importantly, all our packages include admission tickets, taking the hassle out of the Forbidden City’s strict ticketing policies and solving your ticket-buying troubles completely.

Our private walking tour lets you experience the palace’s true essence along the imperial central axis, following the emperors’ footsteps from Tiananmen Square through Meridian Gate. Your dedicated guide brings royal stories to life at every key spot, helping you skip crowds and fully immerse in the grandeur of red walls, golden roofs and timeless imperial legacy.

Activity location

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)
- West Changan Street, Dongcheng District,
- 100006, Beijing, China

Meeting/Redemption Point

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)
- West Changan Street, Dongcheng District,
- 100006, Beijing, China

Check availability

Option 2: Tour with Transfer

6h
English

Option 2: 4-Hour Private Forbidden City Tour (Including Round-Trip Private Car Transfer)
Duration: 4 hours
Pickup included

Travellers

Languages available

Starting time: 1:30 PM

Price details

NZ$305.07 x 1 AdultNZ$305.07

Total

12% off

Until Thu, 26 Feb

What's included, what's not

For option 1+4: Hotel pickup included but not including the transport fee to the attraction
Private return transfer if you choose the option 2 and 3
Professional guide
Lunch or Dinner in Hutong if you choose option 3
Entrance fee
Transport if you choose option 1 or 4
Service charge

Know before you book

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transport options are available nearby
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Your passport name and number are required at time of booking (for all participants)
Please don't forget to bring your passport, you may be refused entry without it.
0-3 Years old infant is free, children have to purchase tickets as well
Chinese citizens, including customers from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, need to reserve the tickets for the Palace Museum 7 days in advance. Once the tickets for the Palace Museum are sold out, it will be impossible to participate in this itinerary. In addition, according to the regulations of the Palace Museum, Chinese citizens can only choose to reserve tickets with their ID cards. Therefore, when making a reservation, it is necessary to submit the Chinese name and ID card number, and on the day of the tour, the submitted ID document must be presented to join the tour group.
In Peak season, the security checks at Tiananmen Square are particularly stringent. If the waiting time exceeds one hour, we recommend considering skip the square. Given the sweltering heat, waiting in line for an extended period increases the risk of heat - related illnesses. Additionally, spending too much time at the square could detract from your experience at the iconic Forbidden City, which is a highlight of our tour. Please keep this in mind as we plan our visit.
Tiananmen Square is a complimentary attraction, functioning as a tourist landmark and a political activity centre. In case the square visit is unavailable due to political reasons or other unforeseen factors, no refund shall be issued for this part, given its free admission nature.
Chinese citizens (including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) need to book this tour 7 days in advance. By regulation, please submit Chinese name & ID number when reserving and present the ID on the tour day to join the group

Activity itinerary

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)

We offer 8 distinct options for this tour—feel free to choose based on your preferences: Option 1: 4-Hour Private Forbidden City Tour ( Transport fees to the attractions are at your own expense) Option 2: 4-Hour Private Forbidden City Tour (Including Round-Trip Private Car Transfer) Option 3: 6-Hour Tian'anmen Square & Forbidden City Tour (Including Chinese Lunch and Private Transfer) Option 4: 6-Hour In-Depth Tian'anmen Square & Forbidden City Tour (Self-Paid Transport) Transport fees are at your own expense. You will visit key attractions of the Forbidden City, as well as the Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery. If you do not wish to visit the museums, you can choose to go to Jingshan Park instead where you can overlook the core buildings of Beijing’s central axis and enjoy a panoramic view of the Forbidden City—an ideal spot for photography and understanding Beijing’s urban layout.

National Museum Of China (Pass by)

Our first stop is Tiananmen Square. Please be aware that the Square may be temporarily closed without prior notice due to official events. In the event of such a closure, our team will promptly adjust the itinerary. We will guide you on a walk around the perimeter of the Square, providing in-depth commentary to ensure you gain comprehensive insights into this iconic landmark. Your tour guide will share relevant historical context as you view the following significant buildings from the outside: the National Museum of China, the Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall, the Monument to the People's Heroes, and the Flagpole.

Meridian Gate (Wu Men) (Pass by)

Follow your tour guide to enter the Forbidden City from its South Gate - the Meridian Gate. Situated at the core of Beijing's central axis, the Forbidden City served as the imperial palace for the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties, housing 24 emperors in total. Renowned for its symmetrical palace complex and architectural features of red walls and yellow tiles, it now operates as the Palace Museum, home to over one million cultural relics. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Forbidden City-The Palace Museum

2h
Admission ticket included

Your tour covers this route: Start by entering through the Meridian Gate, then head north along the central axis to visit key buildings like the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony, Hall of Preserving Harmony, Palace of Heavenly Purity, and Hall of Union. After that, we’ll explore 1-2 courtyards in the Six Eastern Palaces or Six Western Palaces (e.g., the Palace of Eternal Spring in the Six Eastern Palaces). Finally, we’ll end the tour at the Imperial Garden. During the whole tour, 70% of our time will be focused on historical introductions. You may find the rooms look similar at first glance, but the different uses of each room and the stories behind them can only be uncovered by the guide.

The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum

20m
Admission ticket included

Specific End Arrangements for 4 Tour Options Option 1: 4-Hour Private Forbidden City Tour (Transport Fees at Your Own Expense) Upon concluding your tour at the Imperial Garden, you can choose to explore more of the Palace on your own, or arranging your own transport. Option 2: 4-Hour Private Forbidden City Tour (Including Round-Trip Private Car Transfer) Our driver will provide transport back to your hotel. Option 3: 6-Hour Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City Tour (Including Chinese Lunch and Private Transfer) Our driver will pick you up and take you to the Hutong areas. After enjoying your lunch or dinner, you will be returned to your hotel. Option 4: 6-Hour In-Depth Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City Tour (Self-Paid Transport) You have the option to explore two museums within the Forbidden City or ascend Jingshan Park for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City. Please note that this tour concludes without hotel drop-off.

Beijing (Pass by)

In addition to our Forbidden City-focused tours, we offer four more combo options, tailored to help you explore iconic Beijing attractions in one go: 1. Option 5: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City 2. Option 6: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Summer Palace 3. Option 7: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall (Badaling or Mutianyu Great Wall, optional) 4. Option 8: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Summer Palace (four must-see city centre attractions) All the above combo options include: All admission tickets, professional guide service and return transport. Excluded: Lunch and cable car tickets (if applicable).

Location

Activity location

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)
- West Changan Street, Dongcheng District,
- 100006, Beijing, China

Meeting/Redemption Point

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)
- West Changan Street, Dongcheng District,
- 100006, Beijing, China

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