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Private Beijing Walking Tour of the Forbidden City with 7 Options

694 Reviews 4.95 out of 5 stars Based on 694 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 99% of reviewers |
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Beijing, China
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 19 (0) days in advance.

4 to 6 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 1 more
Mandarin
Instant confirmation

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 round-trip 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.

What's Included

  • Private round trip transfer if you choose the option 2 and 3
  • Lunch or Dinner in Hutong if you choose option 3
  • For option 1+4: Hotel pickup included but not including the transportation fee to the attraction
  • Transportation if you choose option 1 or 4
  • Gratuities
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

Hotel pick up including hotels within the 4th ring road of Beijing city, out of this range will have extra cost

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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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 ( Transportation 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 Transportation) Transportation 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.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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.
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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.
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Forbidden City-The Palace Museum

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.
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2 hours Admission Ticket Included

The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum

Specific End Arrangements for 4 Tour OptionsOption 1: 4-Hour Private Forbidden City Tour (Transportation 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 transportation.Option 2: 4-Hour Private Forbidden City Tour (Including Round-Trip Private Car Transfer) Our driver will provide transportation 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 neighborhoods. 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 Transportation) 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.
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Included

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 City2. Option 6: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Summer Palace3. 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 downtown attractions)All the above combo options include: All admission tickets, professional guide service and round-trip transportation. Excluded: Lunch and cable car tickets (if applicable).
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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • 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

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Beijing Walking Tour of the Forbidden City with 7 Options?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-11301P27

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.95
694 reviews

Average 4.95 out of 5 stars based on 694 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
671
4 stars
16
3 stars
2
2 stars
4
1 star
1
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 19 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Private round trip transfer if you choose the option 2 and 3
  • Lunch or Dinner in Hutong if you choose option 3
  • For option 1+4: Hotel pickup included but not including the transportation fee to the attraction
  • Entrance fee
  • Professional guide
  • Transportation if you choose option 1 or 4
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • 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 center. 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

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