Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace Sights
by Catherine Lu 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.$180Overview
The tour begins with a meeting at your hotel in downtown Beijing or another arranged location. From there, the guide leads a walk to Tiananmen Square, the largest city center square in the world. You will see the Qianmen Gate, the Monument to the People’s Heroes, and the Great Hall of the People from outside while the guide explains their history. After about 45 minutes at the square, the group walks to the Forbidden City for a two-hour visit. This former imperial palace served as the home and political center for Ming and Qing dynasty emperors for nearly 500 years. Visitors can explore both the Outer Court, where the emperor exercised power, and the Inner Court, where the royal family lived. Depending on interests, the tour may follow the central, east, or west route, including the Treasure House on the east side. If only the Forbidden City ticket service is selected, no guided tour or pickup is included; visitors enter independently with a valid passport. For those who choose the option with additional sights, the tour continues by car or subway to the Temple of Heaven. This historic park was where emperors worshiped the God of Heaven during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, it is a large public park where locals practice Taiji and other activities. The visit lasts about one hour and focuses on the ancient temples and the worship practices of the emperors. Transportation between the Forbidden City and other sights is provided if the combined option is selected. The entire tour lasts between four and six hours depending on the chosen option. Meals, transportation to Tiananmen Square or the Forbidden City, gratuities, and hotel drop-off are not included. The tour requires walking and visits Tiananmen Square only if it is open; if closed, Jinshan Park is substituted without refund.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Tiananmen Square
The tour starts by meeting at a hotel or the Lash Tea House near Tiananmen Square. After security checks, the guide walks with the group to Tiananmen Square where visitors view the Qianmen Gate, the Monument to the People’s Heroes, and the Great Hall of the People from outside. The guide explains the history and significance of these structures during a 45-minute visit.
45 min
The Palace Museum
The group spends about two hours touring the Forbidden City, also called the Palace Museum. This was the imperial palace for Ming and Qing dynasty emperors for nearly 500 years, serving as their residence and the political center. The palace is divided into the Outer Court, used for state affairs, and the Inner Court, where the royal family lived. Visitors may follow the central, east, or west route, and can opt to visit the Treasure House on the east route. If only the ticket is booked, visitors enter on their own with a valid passport and return to their hotel independently after the visit.
120 min
Temple of Heaven
For those selecting the option with additional sights, the tour continues after the Forbidden City with transport by car or subway to the Temple of Heaven. This historic site was once used by emperors to worship the God of Heaven during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Now a large park, it features ancient architecture and is used by locals for activities such as Taiji. The visit lasts about one hour and focuses on the temple’s religious and cultural importance.
60 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace Sights
by Catherine Lu 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.$180Overview
The tour begins with a meeting at your hotel in downtown Beijing or another arranged location. From there, the guide leads a walk to Tiananmen Square, the largest city center square in the world. You will see the Qianmen Gate, the Monument to the People’s Heroes, and the Great Hall of the People from outside while the guide explains their history. After about 45 minutes at the square, the group walks to the Forbidden City for a two-hour visit. This former imperial palace served as the home and political center for Ming and Qing dynasty emperors for nearly 500 years. Visitors can explore both the Outer Court, where the emperor exercised power, and the Inner Court, where the royal family lived. Depending on interests, the tour may follow the central, east, or west route, including the Treasure House on the east side. If only the Forbidden City ticket service is selected, no guided tour or pickup is included; visitors enter independently with a valid passport. For those who choose the option with additional sights, the tour continues by car or subway to the Temple of Heaven. This historic park was where emperors worshiped the God of Heaven during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, it is a large public park where locals practice Taiji and other activities. The visit lasts about one hour and focuses on the ancient temples and the worship practices of the emperors. Transportation between the Forbidden City and other sights is provided if the combined option is selected. The entire tour lasts between four and six hours depending on the chosen option. Meals, transportation to Tiananmen Square or the Forbidden City, gratuities, and hotel drop-off are not included. The tour requires walking and visits Tiananmen Square only if it is open; if closed, Jinshan Park is substituted without refund.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Tiananmen Square
The tour starts by meeting at a hotel or the Lash Tea House near Tiananmen Square. After security checks, the guide walks with the group to Tiananmen Square where visitors view the Qianmen Gate, the Monument to the People’s Heroes, and the Great Hall of the People from outside. The guide explains the history and significance of these structures during a 45-minute visit.
45 min
The Palace Museum
The group spends about two hours touring the Forbidden City, also called the Palace Museum. This was the imperial palace for Ming and Qing dynasty emperors for nearly 500 years, serving as their residence and the political center. The palace is divided into the Outer Court, used for state affairs, and the Inner Court, where the royal family lived. Visitors may follow the central, east, or west route, and can opt to visit the Treasure House on the east route. If only the ticket is booked, visitors enter on their own with a valid passport and return to their hotel independently after the visit.
120 min
Temple of Heaven
For those selecting the option with additional sights, the tour continues after the Forbidden City with transport by car or subway to the Temple of Heaven. This historic site was once used by emperors to worship the God of Heaven during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Now a large park, it features ancient architecture and is used by locals for activities such as Taiji. The visit lasts about one hour and focuses on the temple’s religious and cultural importance.
60 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.