Explore Mutianyu Great Wall and Forbidden City: A Customized Day Tour

$35
Duration
8 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty
Reviews
(4)
4.7 /5

The Forbidden City is massive and easy to get lost in—over 9,000 rooms, long walking routes, and layers of history that most visitors miss. This small-group guided tour turns your visit into a focused, meaningful, and enjoyable experience.

Your expert English-speaking guide brings the palace to life through clear storytelling: imperial rituals, hidden symbols, palace politics, and the real stories behind the emperors and empresses. Instead of wandering aimlessly, you follow a smartly designed route covering the central axis, key halls, scenic courtyards, and great photo spots—making the huge complex easy to understand and fun to explore.

Skip-the-line entry tickets are included. If online tickets are sold out, on-site purchase may require waiting.

With a small group for better interaction and plenty of time for questions, this tour is perfect for first-time visitors who want deeper insights, smooth entry, and a richer experience at China’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Inclusions

  • English-speaking tour guide
  • Entrance ticket(If online tickets are sold out, on-site purchase may require waiting)

Exclusions

  • Private transportation
  • Meals

Tour Plan

Visit Mutianyu Great Wall

You'll take 1.5 hours from downtown Beijing to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. It is ranked top on Trip Advisor among all the Great Wall sections, for its picturesque scenery and beautifully restored architecture. This is the most child-friendly section, with various ways of visiting.In order to save time for you, we arrange a round-trip cable car to ascend and descend the Wall, instead of spending about 30 minutes climbing steps.

At the Wall, you have free time to walk around, after some introductory explanations from your guide. The cable car ascends to and descends from tower 14. Hike “the most beautiful and interesting part of the Great Wall” — between the 14th and 23rd watch towers — acknowledged by hikers as "the golden route". It normally takes about 2 hours (2-3 km) to complete the walk. Then descend and take a bus to transfer back to our vehicle.

There is a lot of history to tell about Tiananmen Square. It has a Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. It has witnessed many important incidents of China. Your guide will provide you with a commentary about the history and architecture as well as anecdotes of the square.

the Forbidden City, home to 24 emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1420–1911). In addition to the background introduction on the architecture, history and art of the City, your tour guide will help you explore carefully-selected places in the Forbidden City, to discover the deep secrets of the emperors and concubines of the Ming and Qing dynasties. You will be walking for about 2 hours (2 kilometers), on a walk that is graded easy.

Itinerary

Expand All
Stage 1

Visit Mutianyu Great Wall

You'll take 1.5 hours from downtown Beijing to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. It is ranked top on Trip Advisor among all the Great Wall sections, for its picturesque scenery and beautifully restored architecture. This is the most child-friendly section, with various ways of visiting.In order to save time for you, we arrange a round-trip cable car to ascend and descend the Wall, instead of spending about 30 minutes climbing steps.

 At the Wall, you have free time to walk around, after some introductory explanations from your guide. The cable car ascends to and descends from tower 14. Hike “the most beautiful and interesting part of the Great Wall” — between the 14th and 23rd watch towers — acknowledged by hikers as "the golden route". It normally takes about 2 hours (2-3 km) to complete the walk. Then descend and take a bus to transfer back to our vehicle.

Stage 2

There is a lot of history to tell about Tiananmen Square. It has a Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. It has witnessed many important incidents of China. Your guide will provide you with a commentary about the history and architecture as well as anecdotes of the square.

Stage 3

the Forbidden City, home to 24 emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1420–1911). In addition to the background introduction on the architecture, history and art of the City, your tour guide will help you explore carefully-selected places in the Forbidden City, to discover the deep secrets of the emperors and concubines of the Ming and Qing dynasties. You will be walking for about 2 hours (2 kilometers), on a walk that is graded easy.

Meeting / Pickup

Meet on location: This experience has no pick-up service, customers have to make their way to our meeting point.

Know Before You Go

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Passport required

Please Note

  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for people with heart conditions
  • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel

Cancellation Policy

  • We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 1 day or less before the event
  • We will charge a cancellation fee of 0% if booking is cancelled 1000 days or less before the event

Reviews

4.7/5
Wonderful
4 verified reviews
Location (4.75/5)
Amenities (4.25/5)
Services (5/5)
Price (5/5)
Rooms (4.5/5)

4 Comments

  1. 4.6

    • Location
    • Amenities
    • Services
    • Price
    • Rooms

    Exploring the majestic wall and the rich history of the imperial city was a highlight for our group, and the customized itinerary truly catered to our interests. The transportation was smooth, making it easy for us to soak in the culture and breathtaking views without a hitch; just a little more time at each stop would have been perfect!

  2. 4.8

    • Location
    • Amenities
    • Services
    • Price
    • Rooms

    Our family had a wonderful day exploring a remarkable ancient structure that stretches across the hills, filled with breathtaking views. After a scenic hike, we moved on to a fascinating historical site, where we marveled at the intricate architecture and learned about its storied past. The guide was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing captivating tales that kept our kids engaged throughout. We also appreciated the flexibility of customizing our itinerary, which allowed us to focus on what excited us the most. One suggestion would be to include a bit more time at the second site, as we felt rushed towards the end of our visit. Overall, it was a memorable experience that provided us with a perfect blend of adventure and education.

  3. 4.6

    • Location
    • Amenities
    • Services
    • Price
    • Rooms

    We had an incredible time exploring the Great Wall at Mutianyu and wandering through the Forbidden City; the customized itinerary perfectly suited our family’s interests.

  4. 4.8

    • Location
    • Amenities
    • Services
    • Price
    • Rooms

    Our time spent at the Great Wall was truly something special; the views from Mutianyu were absolutely breathtaking and not as crowded as we anticipated. The customized experience allowed us to explore at our own pace, which made the day feel personal and less rushed, especially when wandering through the Forbidden City’s fascinating halls. We appreciated the knowledgeable guide who shared intriguing stories about the wall’s history and the significance of the imperial city, adding layers to our visit. A minor suggestion would be to enhance the lunch options; while the local cuisine was decent, we hoped for a bit more variety to match the day’s adventurous spirit. Overall, this tour was a perfect balance of exploration, history, and vivid scenery, making it a worthwhile escape from our business commitments.

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