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Private Beijing Walking Tour of the Forbidden City with 7 Options

By Discover Beijing Tours
9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
The previous price was AU$214 and current price is AU$188 per adult* *Get lower prices by selecting more than 2 adults
See tickets
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 6h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Selective hotel pickup
  • Multiple languages
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 return 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.

Activity location
  • Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)
    • West Changan Street, Dongcheng District,
    • 100006, Beijing, China
Meeting/Redemption Point
  • Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)
    • West Changan Street, Dongcheng District,
    • 100006, Beijing, China

Check availability

Option 1:Tour without transfer
  • Activity duration is 6 hours6h
    6h
  • English

Option 1:Tour without transfer: Option 1: 4-Hour Private Forbidden City Tour ( Transport fees to the attractions are at your own expense)
Duration: 4 hours
Pickup included

Starting time: 12:00 PM
Price details
AU$213.48
AU$187.86 x 1 AdultAU$187.86
Total
The previous price was AU$213.48 and current price is AU$187.86
12% off
Until Thu, 26 Feb
Option 4: 6 Hour In-depth Tour
  • Activity duration is 6 hours6h
    6h
  • English

Option 4: 6-Hour In-Depth Tian'anmen Square & Forbidden City Tour, Transport fees are at your own cost
Duration: 6 hours
Pickup included

Starting time: 12:00 PM
Price details
AU$250.00
AU$220.00 x 1 AdultAU$220.00
Total
The previous price was AU$250.00 and current price is AU$220.00
12% off
Until Thu, 26 Feb
Option 2: Tour with Transfer
  • Activity duration is 6 hours6h
    6h
  • English

Option 2: 4-Hour Private Forbidden City Tour (Including Round-Trip Private Car Transfer)
Duration: 4 hours
Pickup included

Price details
AU$292.14
AU$257.08 x 1 AdultAU$257.08
Total
The previous price was AU$292.14 and current price is AU$257.08
12% off
Until Thu, 26 Feb
Option 3: Tour+Meal+ transfer
  • Activity duration is 6 hours6h
    6h
  • English

Option 3: 6-Hour Tian'anmen Square & Forbidden City Tour (Including Chinese Lunch and Private Transfer)
Duration: 6 hours
Pickup included

Starting time: 12:00 PM
Price details
AU$418.54
AU$368.32 x 1 AdultAU$368.32
Total
The previous price was AU$418.54 and current price is AU$368.32
12% off
Until Thu, 26 Feb

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    For option 1+4: Hotel pickup included but not including the transport fee to the attraction
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Private return transfer if you choose the option 2 and 3
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Professional guide
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Lunch or Dinner in Hutong if you choose option 3
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Entrance fee
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Transport if you choose option 1 or 4
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Service charge

Know before you book

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transport options are available nearby
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • 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 centre. 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

Activity itinerary

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)
  • 30m
We offer 8 distinct options for this tour—feel free to choose based on your preferences: Option 1: 4-Hour Private Forbidden City Tour ( Transport 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 Transport) Transport 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.
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.
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.
Forbidden City-The Palace Museum
  • 2h
  • Admission ticket included
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.
The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum
  • 20m
  • Admission ticket included
Specific End Arrangements for 4 Tour Options Option 1: 4-Hour Private Forbidden City Tour (Transport 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 transport. Option 2: 4-Hour Private Forbidden City Tour (Including Round-Trip Private Car Transfer) Our driver will provide transport 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 areas. 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 Transport) 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.
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 City 2. Option 6: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Summer Palace 3. 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 city centre attractions) All the above combo options include: All admission tickets, professional guide service and return transport. Excluded: Lunch and cable car tickets (if applicable).

Location

Activity location
  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)
    • West Changan Street, Dongcheng District,
    • 100006, Beijing, China
Meeting/Redemption Point
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)
    • West Changan Street, Dongcheng District,
    • 100006, Beijing, China

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