Beijing Private Tour of Temple of Heaven, Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, and Summer Palace
by Discover Beijing Tours
Choose from 5 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$200.60Overview
This private tour in Beijing focuses on four major cultural landmarks tied to the city’s imperial past and traditional beliefs. The tour offers three package options lasting about 6 to 7 hours, with variations in transport and included sites. The Budget Option uses subway transport and visits Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven with a private guide but does not include lunch. The Comfort Option follows the same itinerary but uses private car transfers for easier travel and includes a local lunch. The In-depth Option adds the Summer Palace to the itinerary and also includes private car transport, a guide, and lunch. The day begins with a hotel pickup where the guide meets the group. The first stop is the Temple of Heaven, where visitors explore the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Danbi Bridge, Imperial Vault of Heaven, Echo Wall, and the Circular Mound Altar. The guide explains the significance of these sites and the ceremonies once performed there. Visitors can also observe locals practicing tai chi, sword dancing, and singing. Next, the tour moves to Tian'anmen Square, accessible by subway or private car depending on the option chosen. If the square is closed due to official events, the itinerary is adjusted. Visitors walk around the square’s perimeter while the guide points out important buildings such as the National Museum of China and Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall. The group then enters the Forbidden City through the Meridian Gate. Inside, the guide leads a two-hour visit covering the main halls of the outer court, including the Hall of Supreme Harmony where emperors held ceremonies, as well as the inner palaces where the royal family lived. The tour ends in the Imperial Garden, featuring trees, rockeries, and pavilions that served as a retreat for the imperial family. Those on the Budget Option may explore the Forbidden City further on their own or be directed to the next destination. Comfort Option participants have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to their hotel. The In-depth Option includes lunch followed by a visit to the Summer Palace, a large imperial garden built around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. The guide shows landmarks like the Long Corridor and Marble Boat and provides insight into the garden’s design. After the Summer Palace visit, participants return to their hotel. The tour includes professional guiding, entrance fees to the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven, and subway or private transport depending on the package. The Summer Palace entrance fee is included only with the In-depth Option. Gratuities and food or drinks not specified in the package are excluded. The tour operates in all weather but requires proper dress and the presentation of passports for admission.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Beijing
The tour offers three one-day private packages visiting Beijing’s key cultural sites: Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Temple of Heaven. The Budget Option uses subway transportation without lunch. The Comfort Option includes private car transfers and lunch. The In-depth Option adds the Summer Palace with private car and guide, covering four major landmarks and local dining.
Temple of Heaven
After morning pickup in central Beijing, the tour begins at the Temple of Heaven, where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held ceremonies praying for good harvests. The guide leads guests through the courtyard with ancient trees, where locals practice tai chi, sword dancing, and group singing. Visitors explore the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound Altar, and Danbi Bridge, learning about the site's religious importance and architectural features.
60 min
Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest
The tour starts within the Temple of Heaven at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a large circular building with a triple-eaved roof. This hall was the main place where emperors prayed for crops during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The guide explains the building’s design and the imperial ceremonies that took place there.
30 min
Echo Wall
Walking along the Danbi Bridge leads to the Imperial Vault of Heaven, a smaller circular building used to store ceremonial tablets. The guide introduces the Echo Wall surrounding the building, where visitors can test its acoustic effect by whispering from one end and being heard clearly at the other, illustrating ancient Chinese architectural skill.
20 min
Yuanqiutan
The final area at the Temple of Heaven is the Circular Mound Altar, the site of heaven-worship ceremonies. Visitors stand on the central Heavenly Heart Stone to experience the traditional belief of communicating with heaven. The guide explains the significance of the altar’s circular shape and layered stone design representing the heavens and the harmony between man and nature.
20 min
Hongqiao Market
Next to the Temple of Heaven is the Pearl Market, where visitors can shop for Chinese souvenirs. The guide offers tips on negotiating prices to assist with the shopping experience.
30 min
Tiananmen Square
The tour continues to Tian'anmen Square, reached by subway or private car depending on the chosen package. If the Square is closed due to official events, the itinerary is adjusted. Visitors walk around the perimeter while the guide points out significant buildings including the National Museum of China, Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall, Monument to the People's Heroes, and the Flagpole.
30 min
Meridian Gate (Wu Men)
The group enters the Forbidden City through the Meridian Gate, the southern entrance. The Forbidden City was the imperial palace for Ming and Qing dynasties, home to 24 emperors. It is known for its symmetrical layout, red walls, yellow roof tiles, and now serves as the Palace Museum housing over one million cultural relics. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Palace Museum
Inside the Forbidden City, the guide leads a two-hour tour of major highlights. These include the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where emperors held coronations and ceremonies, the Hall of Central Harmony used for preparation, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony for banquets and exams. The tour then moves to the inner palace quarters, showing the living areas of the royal family. The visit ends in the Imperial Garden, featuring ancient trees, rockeries, and pavilions used by the imperial family for rest.
120 min
The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum
After the Imperial Garden, Budget Option participants may explore the Forbidden City independently or be guided to the next stop. Comfort Option guests have lunch at a local restaurant and then return to their hotel. In-depth Option guests have lunch followed by a visit to the Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Located in western Beijing, it surrounds Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, and features the Long Corridor, Marble Boat, and other historic structures. After touring the Summer Palace, guests are returned to their hotel.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Beijing Private Tour of Temple of Heaven, Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, and Summer Palace
by Discover Beijing Tours
Choose from 5 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$200.60Overview
This private tour in Beijing focuses on four major cultural landmarks tied to the city’s imperial past and traditional beliefs. The tour offers three package options lasting about 6 to 7 hours, with variations in transport and included sites. The Budget Option uses subway transport and visits Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven with a private guide but does not include lunch. The Comfort Option follows the same itinerary but uses private car transfers for easier travel and includes a local lunch. The In-depth Option adds the Summer Palace to the itinerary and also includes private car transport, a guide, and lunch. The day begins with a hotel pickup where the guide meets the group. The first stop is the Temple of Heaven, where visitors explore the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Danbi Bridge, Imperial Vault of Heaven, Echo Wall, and the Circular Mound Altar. The guide explains the significance of these sites and the ceremonies once performed there. Visitors can also observe locals practicing tai chi, sword dancing, and singing. Next, the tour moves to Tian'anmen Square, accessible by subway or private car depending on the option chosen. If the square is closed due to official events, the itinerary is adjusted. Visitors walk around the square’s perimeter while the guide points out important buildings such as the National Museum of China and Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall. The group then enters the Forbidden City through the Meridian Gate. Inside, the guide leads a two-hour visit covering the main halls of the outer court, including the Hall of Supreme Harmony where emperors held ceremonies, as well as the inner palaces where the royal family lived. The tour ends in the Imperial Garden, featuring trees, rockeries, and pavilions that served as a retreat for the imperial family. Those on the Budget Option may explore the Forbidden City further on their own or be directed to the next destination. Comfort Option participants have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to their hotel. The In-depth Option includes lunch followed by a visit to the Summer Palace, a large imperial garden built around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. The guide shows landmarks like the Long Corridor and Marble Boat and provides insight into the garden’s design. After the Summer Palace visit, participants return to their hotel. The tour includes professional guiding, entrance fees to the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven, and subway or private transport depending on the package. The Summer Palace entrance fee is included only with the In-depth Option. Gratuities and food or drinks not specified in the package are excluded. The tour operates in all weather but requires proper dress and the presentation of passports for admission.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Beijing
The tour offers three one-day private packages visiting Beijing’s key cultural sites: Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Temple of Heaven. The Budget Option uses subway transportation without lunch. The Comfort Option includes private car transfers and lunch. The In-depth Option adds the Summer Palace with private car and guide, covering four major landmarks and local dining.
Temple of Heaven
After morning pickup in central Beijing, the tour begins at the Temple of Heaven, where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held ceremonies praying for good harvests. The guide leads guests through the courtyard with ancient trees, where locals practice tai chi, sword dancing, and group singing. Visitors explore the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound Altar, and Danbi Bridge, learning about the site's religious importance and architectural features.
60 min
Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest
The tour starts within the Temple of Heaven at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a large circular building with a triple-eaved roof. This hall was the main place where emperors prayed for crops during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The guide explains the building’s design and the imperial ceremonies that took place there.
30 min
Echo Wall
Walking along the Danbi Bridge leads to the Imperial Vault of Heaven, a smaller circular building used to store ceremonial tablets. The guide introduces the Echo Wall surrounding the building, where visitors can test its acoustic effect by whispering from one end and being heard clearly at the other, illustrating ancient Chinese architectural skill.
20 min
Yuanqiutan
The final area at the Temple of Heaven is the Circular Mound Altar, the site of heaven-worship ceremonies. Visitors stand on the central Heavenly Heart Stone to experience the traditional belief of communicating with heaven. The guide explains the significance of the altar’s circular shape and layered stone design representing the heavens and the harmony between man and nature.
20 min
Hongqiao Market
Next to the Temple of Heaven is the Pearl Market, where visitors can shop for Chinese souvenirs. The guide offers tips on negotiating prices to assist with the shopping experience.
30 min
Tiananmen Square
The tour continues to Tian'anmen Square, reached by subway or private car depending on the chosen package. If the Square is closed due to official events, the itinerary is adjusted. Visitors walk around the perimeter while the guide points out significant buildings including the National Museum of China, Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall, Monument to the People's Heroes, and the Flagpole.
30 min
Meridian Gate (Wu Men)
The group enters the Forbidden City through the Meridian Gate, the southern entrance. The Forbidden City was the imperial palace for Ming and Qing dynasties, home to 24 emperors. It is known for its symmetrical layout, red walls, yellow roof tiles, and now serves as the Palace Museum housing over one million cultural relics. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Palace Museum
Inside the Forbidden City, the guide leads a two-hour tour of major highlights. These include the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where emperors held coronations and ceremonies, the Hall of Central Harmony used for preparation, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony for banquets and exams. The tour then moves to the inner palace quarters, showing the living areas of the royal family. The visit ends in the Imperial Garden, featuring ancient trees, rockeries, and pavilions used by the imperial family for rest.
120 min
The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum
After the Imperial Garden, Budget Option participants may explore the Forbidden City independently or be guided to the next stop. Comfort Option guests have lunch at a local restaurant and then return to their hotel. In-depth Option guests have lunch followed by a visit to the Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Located in western Beijing, it surrounds Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, and features the Long Corridor, Marble Boat, and other historic structures. After touring the Summer Palace, guests are returned to their hotel.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.