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Activities in Beijing

Tiananmen, Forbidden City, and Hutongs Private Tour

  • 76 reviews | 1,513 travellers
    Everything was great, and Luis's (our guide's) explanations were excellent for understanding Chinese culture and admiring the magnificence of the Forbidden City in detail, from each stage to the final construction. Highly recommended.
    8 Jairo Nicolas
  • Free cancellation up to 3 days before
  • Hotel pickup
  • Free cancellation up to 3 days before

On this tour, we’ll explore central Beijing, visiting Tian’anmen Square, the Mao Mausoleum, the Forbidden City, and the hutongs, the city’s most traditional alleyways.

We recommend this tour for travelers who prefer to take the Beijing in one day route at a more relaxed pace. If you have two days, booking this tour together with the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace tour will give you more time to enjoy each visit and see more landmarks.

On this tour, we’ll explore central Beijing, visiting Tian’anmen Square, the Mao Mausoleum, the Forbidden City, and the hutongs, the city’s most traditional alleyways.

We recommend this tour for travelers who prefer to take the Beijing in one day route at a more relaxed pace. If you have two days, booking this tour together with the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace tour will give you more time to enjoy each visit and see more landmarks.

Tour Details

After picking you up from your hotel lobby at the scheduled time, we’ll head to our first stop, Tian’anmen Square.

Tian’anmen Square is the most important square in the country and the largest square in the world. Here, you’ll see several key landmarks, including the Qianmen Gate Tower and the exterior of the Mao Mausoleum.

Leaving the square from the north, we’ll reach the entrance to the Forbidden City, the largest imperial residence in China, which was home to 24 emperors for more than five centuries. We’ll walk through the complex, visiting its most interesting areas and sharing the stories and legends that surround it.

After the visit, you’ll have free time for lunch and a short rest.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore Beijing’s oldest neighborhoods, known as hutongs, aboard a rickshaw, the traditional Chinese means of transport. During this 2-hour ride, you’ll see how many residents remain deeply connected to the city’s past, making this experience truly memorable.

The tour will end at your hotel or at another location of your choice after a total of eight hours.

Customizable Itinerary

As this is a private tour, you can decide what you’d like to see. Simply discuss your preferences with the guide at the beginning of the tour. For example, if you’d like to do the contrasts tour, which also includes hutongs, you can replace the hutong visit with a park such as Jingshan Park, also known as Coal Hill.

During winter, or on summer days when we finish the visits early, the Lama Temple will be added to the itinerary.

Forbidden City of Beijing

The Forbidden City is closed every Monday throughout the year. If your flight arrives in Beijing on a Monday, we recommend taking the opportunity to visit the Great Wall of China or the Temple of Heaven instead.

Please note that access to the Forbidden City is limited, especially during busy periods. For this reason, we recommend booking the activity at least seven days in advance.

Required Documentation

When making your reservation, you’ll need to provide the passport details of all participants. It’s essential that you enter the correct passport number, as it cannot be changed later. If the number of people in your group doesn’t match the number of fields available, please enter “N/A” in any empty fields. On the day of the tour, you must bring your passport with you.

Layover in Beijing? Take This Tour from the Airport

If you’re traveling to Beijing and have limited time, you can book our tour starting directly from the airport. Depending on how many hours you have available, we’ll visit some of the city’s most important landmarks, such as the Great Wall or the Forbidden City.

View complete description

More Information

Duration

8 hours.

Language

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English. The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.

Included

English–speaking guide throughout the tour

Hotel pickup and drop–off

Private vehicle and driver

Private and exclusive tour, there won't be anyone else in the group

Not included

Food

Admission tickets and rickshaw tour (around ¥ 300 (US$ 43.42) per person)

When to book?

You can book up until 24 hours before the activity as long as there are still places. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Sustainability conditions

All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code.

Sustainability Code

Our providers commit to:

  • Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
  • Reduce, reuse, recycle.
  • Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
  • Uphold fair employment standards.
  • Foster the growth of local communities.
  • Preserve the integrity of local culture.
  • Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
  • Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
  • Operate with honesty and transparency.
  • Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

  • No printing of documentation required.

Pets

Not permitted.

Frequently asked questions

  • Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

    A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.

  • Q - How to book?

    A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

  • Q - Is a minimum number of participants required?

    A - This activity requires a minimum of 1 participants. Should this number not be reached, we'll get in touch with you to offer alternatives.

  • Q - Which local supplier will be providing the tour?

    A - Beijing Jack Won Private Tours Corporate name: Jack Won Private Tours, Beijing Refendo International Tours Co.LTD Registered Office: Branch Room 310 Building 9, No .7 Songyubeilu, Chaoyang District ,Beijing, Beijing, China Tax Identification Number (VAT ID): 91110105670594418E Contact information Email: pgbeijing@hotmail.com Phone: 0086 18010168929

If you have any other questions please contact us.

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