Great Wall and Forbidden City Private Tour
A seamless, skip-stress private Beijing tour combining the Mutianyu Great Wall (or Badaling/Jinshanling on request) and the Forbidden City with an English-speaking guide, private driver, timed-entry tickets, and flexible pacing. Designed for families, couples, seniors, and small groups.
Why This Private Tour is the Best Way to See Beijing’s Icons
English-Speaking Guide
Clear storytelling, photo tips, and seamless navigation through tickets & security.
Private Vehicle & Driver
Comfortable transfers (A/C), luggage room, child seats on request.
Optimized Timing
Beat crowds at Mutianyu, timed entry for Forbidden City, smooth pacing.
Fully Tailor-Made
Add Tiananmen, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Hutongs or Peking Duck dinner.
Sample Itineraries (Flexible & Customizable)
1-Day Classic: Mutianyu Great Wall + Forbidden City
- 08:00 Hotel pickup → drive ~1.5–2h to Mutianyu.
- 09:45 Cable car up; guided walk on the Wall (photo spots at towers 14–20).
- 12:00 Lunch near Mutianyu (local farmhouse; vegetarian/halal available).
- 13:00 Drive back to city center (~1.5h).
- 14:30 Forbidden City timed entry (passport required). Highlights: Meridian Gate, Hall of Supreme Harmony, Imperial Garden.
- 17:30 Drop-off at hotel / Peking Duck dinner (optional) / evening show add-on.
Note: Forbidden City is closed on Mondays (except some holidays). We can swap in Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace as needed.
2-Day Extended: Icons + Royal Gardens
Day 1: Mutianyu Great Wall, Olympic Park photo stop (Bird’s Nest), Hutong rickshaw + family visit.
Day 2: Tiananmen Square walk, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven park life, Summer Palace lake cruise (seasonal).
3-Day Immersive: Culture & Cuisine
- Day 1: Forbidden City + Jingshan Park viewpoint + Wangfujing food street.
- Day 2: Jinshanling or Gubeikou Great Wall hike (fewer crowds; for active travelers) + countryside lunch.
- Day 3: Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, 798 Art Zone, Peking Duck dinner.
Which Great Wall Section Should I Choose?
Mutianyu
Best for families & seniors; scenic, well restored, fewer crowds vs. Badaling; cable car + toboggan.
Badaling
Closest & iconic; can be crowded; easy access; great for quick photos and first-time visitors.
Jinshanling
Fewer crowds, mixed restored/wild sections; recommended for active travelers & photographers.
What’s Included / Not Included
Included
- Private English-speaking guide
- Private A/C vehicle & professional driver
- Hotel pickup & drop-off (central Beijing)
- Pre-booked timed tickets (Forbidden City)
- Great Wall cable car (optional per request)
- Bottled water, parking, tolls
Not Included
- Lunch & personal expenses
- Gratuities (optional)
- Travel insurance
- Airport/rail pickups outside central area (can add)
Need-to-Know for Foreign Visitors
- Passports required for Forbidden City entry; real-name tickets. FC is closed Mondays (most weeks).
- Best seasons: Mar–May & Sep–Nov. Summer is hot; winter is clear but cold (great photos).
- Drive times: City ↔ Mutianyu ~1.5–2h each way (traffic dependent).
- Mobility: Mutianyu has cable car; we tailor pacing for kids & seniors.
- Food: We can arrange vegetarian/vegan/halal; try Peking Duck for dinner.
- Payments: Credit card, bank transfer, or mobile pay (ask your consultant).
How It Works
Dates, travelers, interests, pace.
We craft a route, timings, tickets & add-ons.
Secure your booking; we pre-book timed entries.
Guide meets you at the lobby; relax & explore.
24/7 in-trip assistance for changes or requests.
Popular Add-Ons
FAQ – Great Wall & Forbidden City Private Tour
Is the Forbidden City open every day?
It’s typically closed on Mondays (except some holidays). We’ll arrange alternatives if your date falls on a Monday.
Do I need my passport for entry?
Yes. Real-name tickets for the Forbidden City require passport details and physical ID during entry.
Which Great Wall section is best for kids & seniors?
Mutianyu is ideal: smoother paths, fewer crowds, and cable car/toboggan options.
Can you start early to avoid crowds?
Absolutely. We recommend a 7:30–8:00 pickup for quieter conditions at the Wall and better light for photos.
Are tickets included?
We can pre-book all tickets (Forbidden City timed entry, Wall + cable car) and settle with you in one simple package.
What if it rains or the air quality is poor?
We track conditions and can adjust timings, swap sites, or reschedule based on your preference and availability.
Can you arrange airport pickup?
Yes, from PEK or PKX airports and from train stations. Fees vary by distance; we’ll confirm in your quote.
Are meals included?
We can include lunch or keep it flexible. Dietary requests (vegetarian/vegan/halal/gluten-free) are no problem.
What should I wear?
Comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing (winds can be strong on the Wall), hat/sunscreen in summer; warm jacket in winter.
Is the tour wheelchair-friendly?
Parts of the Forbidden City and some Wall facilities (Mutianyu cable car area) are accessible. Tell us your needs and we’ll adapt the route.
Tell us your dates, traveler count, interests, and pickup location. We’ll send a tailored plan & quote within one business day.
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I really liked how everything felt smooth, no waiting in line or confusion. Perfectly organized. aldi ahza2025-09-16Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The landscapes around Guilin are like something out of a painting. HelloChinaTrip organized a river cruise for us, which was breathtaking, and then a bicycle ride through the countryside in Yangshuo. It felt so peaceful riding past rice fields with mountains all around. Our guide Wang was funny and patient, and he even stopped for us to take photos whenever we wanted. Aldi Ahza2025-09-16Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The landscapes around Guilin are like something out of a painting. HelloChinaTrip organized a river cruise for us, which was breathtaking, and then a bicycle ride through the countryside in Yangshuo. It felt so peaceful riding past rice fields with mountains all around. Our guide Wang was funny and patient, and he even stopped for us to take photos whenever we wanted. rislaisa Indraini2025-09-14Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seeing the pandas in Chengdu was a dream of mine since childhood, and HelloChinaTrip made it happen. Our guide timed the visit perfectly so we caught them playing and eating bamboo instead of just sleeping. She also suggested a hotpot restaurant for lunch—it was spicy but so good! I appreciated that the tour didn’t feel rushed at all. yaya ey2025-09-13Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had just 3 days in Shanghai, so I wanted to make the most of it. HelloChinaTrip customized the itinerary to fit exactly what I wanted. The night view at the Bund was stunning, and Yu Garden felt like stepping back in time. My guide even helped me get a local SIM card at the airport when I couldn’t figure it out. That kind of small help made me feel very comfortable traveling in a new country. Wahyuni Arista Dewi2025-09-10Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I wasn’t sure what to expect in Xi’an, but the Terracotta Warriors blew me away. They look so alive! HelloChinaTrip’s organization was top notch—our driver was on time, the car was clean, and our guide Mr. Zhang explained everything in perfect English. He also took us to try dumplings afterwards, which were delicious. Only regret is that I didn’t stay longer in Xi’an to explore more. Joseph Lee2025-09-07Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. First time using this company and arranged a solo trip to Zhangjiajie from 30 Aug to 5 Sept 2025. Making payment with Alipay was easy and itinerary was flexible since I also wanted to travel to Furong Ancient Town because I heard it was beautiful there at night. The company arranged hotel stays, pick up from airport, train tickets and had a guide/driver to accompany on my visits to the National Forests, Grand Canyon and Furong Town. Price is very reasonable and economical. when I arrived, I felt like a VIP since I was the only tourist with one driver/guide and later found out that this company arranged for 1 to 4 persons by car or more by MPV. I felt safe every step of the way as they continued to communicate with me by sending through WhatsApp the transport and pick-up driver details. I must also thank the driver/guide Mr. Wang De who although spoke to me in Mandarin which I could only catch like 60% but he was overall a good companion during my trip. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and the very once a lifetime beautiful sights. I am planning to visit Tibet next year and I will certainly use this company again. ayu calau2025-09-07Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Climbing the Great Wall was honestly the highlight of my trip to China. HelloChinaTrip arranged everything from the driver to the entrance tickets, so I didn’t have to worry about a thing. Our guide, Lily, had so many fun stories about the history, and she even knew the best spots where it’s less crowded for photos. It was hot that day, but she brought us bottled water which was thoughtful. Truly unforgettable.Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
