Private Tour
Beijing Hutong Private 4-Hour Walking Tour w/ Drum & Bell Tower
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
- A glimpse into old Beijing rich history with the knowledgeable tour guide;
- Watch and listen Drum performance at the Drum tower (only twice per day);
- See the biggest copper bell of China;
- Enjoy the peaceful lake view of Houhai, you may have a relax and enjoy a beer or tea (your own expense).
Additional Info
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Dress code is smart casual
Extra fee will be requested after 4 hours tour
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Bell and Drum Towers
Our accredited tour guide will meet you at the centrally located hotel and take you to visit the Drum Tower and Bell Tower which were beaten to give the correct time of day. You will climb up to the drum tower and bell tower to watch the Drum performance and see the biggest copper bell in China. They just give the performance twice a day and the well designed route will make sure you won't miss the highlight during the tour.
Nanluoguxiang
Start from the Nanluoguxiang alley, which is the famous and busy commercial street. It's a perfect place for a stretch of unique restaurants, bars, live music, tea and coffee shops, fast food and souvenir shops, etc,... Turn from the alley into the Hutong area, let’s discover the real local people’s life， as well as some old SiHeYuan associated with various famous historic and literary figures.
What‘s Included
Professional English speaking tour guide (4 hours)
Meals (Lunch & Dinner)
Transportation
Gratitude to the guide (Recommended for good service)
Entrance tickets
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
English Guide Private Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent guided walk
Michael T,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our Guide, Sonia, was fantastic - knowledgeable, sense of humour, great English, friendly, patient. Highly recommended.
Amazing
kevinrZ6920UR,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We are glad we chose Catherine Lu Tours. Our guide Cactus and our driver were amazing and everything went smoothly. Will recommend this to anyone visiting China
Experienced and knowledgeable guide
472ernestt,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sonia is a very knowledgeable and engaging guide. It was great to have the walking tour with her the first day in a Beijing as she explained the history of our hutong area and familiarized us with the subway system. She was also patient with our kids and seniors. We enjoyed the tour thoroughly.
Good fun
Mike A,Apr 7, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Jack was super helpful and knowledgable about the local area. Extremely good English so easy to understand his explanations.
Great tour
Mengksun,Apr 1, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic morning tour seeing the hutong area, bell tower and drum tower. Angela arrived on time at our hotel, and was a great guide! We had a small child and my elderly mother with us so she was very kind and allowed us regular rest stops. Would highly recommend this tour if you have a few hrs to spare. We’ve also booked the Great Wall of China with the same tour company (Catherine Tour) as they were so professional and reliable!
Forbidden city
Stefanie B,Oct 4, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour is a must to understand history and culture from past Chinese time. It was excellent organized and tour guide had a profound knowledge. I have the tour very much enjoyed.
Unique, amazing private tour
LZviajera,Sep 26, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I was planning on visiting Lama Temple and Catherine herself offered to be my tour guide on very short notice. She ended up giving me an amazing, in-depth tour - I learned and saw much more than I would have alone. She then also took us to the Bell Tower and to lunch at an extremely local restaurant in a Hutong. Catherine made sure the experience was everything I had hoped for; she is very kind and knowledgable. Definitely recommend this tour for a special experience!
Justin Was A Wonderful Guide
shirleyripbiker,Jan 7, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Walking with a private guide is the best way to see a city, provided the guide is good, and Justin was. He was knowledgeable, intelligent and a has a great personality and his English was perfect. I highly recommend this tour and Justin.
Wonderful tour of Beijing Hutongs
takinahike,Jun 16, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I recently booked a private Hutong Walking tour and was met be my guide Amanda at the hotel. Amanda was prompt and the excellent subway made getting around very easy. Amanda was a very knowledgeable tour guide and we had a fun morning exploring several Hutongs. I highly recommend early morning for tour as it was cooler and the streets were not very crowded. I was able to get some excellent pictures of "Old Beijing". Booking with Catherine Lu tours was very easy and they are extremely professional and responsive. Take the tour with Amanda, you will not regret it.
Highly recommend for Beijing Private Tour
zjdalton,Mar 22, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I was in China for business-related travel but altered my itinerary to explore Beijing. This tour company was able to fit a great walking tour into my schedule of the Hutongs and Drum Tower. The guide, Kim, had great knowledge of Chinese history, as well as Western history so she could put a lot into context. This is a true friction-less option. Hotel pick-up/drop-off, take care of tickets, etc. It was a great experience.
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Operated by Catherine Lu Tours