Private Tour
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Explore Beijing’s architectural wonders and cultural heritage with three tailored packages. The Budget Option (subway transport without lunch) covers Tiananmen Square, the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City (with private guide), and Temple of Heaven (where you can watch locals’ morning activities). The Comfort Option offers the same route as the Budget Option but upgrades to private car transfers for hassle-free travel, plus a local lunch. The In-depth Option adds the UNESCO-listed Summer Palace to the above sites (Tiananmen, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven). It includes private car and guide, letting you fully experience four cultural landmarks, from the Forbidden City’s imperial history to the Summer Palace’s garden beauty, along with local dining.
All packages feature personalized guidance to avoid rushed visits, ensuring an immersive Beijing experience.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
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.
Infant (1-3 years old) are free providing they do not occupy a seat
Tian'anmen Square might close without advance notice due to government activity, if this happens you will skip the Square
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 case of peak travel seasons and when all the tickets for Forbidden City reserved online for the scenic area are sold out, tourists are required to go to the ticket office of the scenic area by themselves under the guidance of the tour guide to handle the purchase of paper tickets on-site. Please be informed.
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.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
The entrance fee to the Summer Palace is included only if you select Option 3
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Professional guide
Bottled water
If you choose option 2 or 3: private tour with lunch
Subway/bus fee during the tour (If you choose the option 1 without lunch and use subway)
Transport by private vehicle(For option 2 and 3 with lunch)
Entrance Fee to the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven
Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities
Select a pickup point
Beijing
Beijing One-Day Private Tour Brief Discover two of Beijing’s key historical and cultural heritages – the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven – through our three tailored one-day tour packages. Option 1 (Budget )subway transport with metro fares included, without lunch. Covers Tiananmen Square, the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City (accompanied by a private guide), and Temple of Heaven (where you can observe locals’ morning activities). Option 2 (Comfort ): follows the same route as the Budget Option, but upgrades to private car transfers for hassle-free travel and includes a local lunch, plus a dedicated guide. Option 3: The In-depth option, adds the UNESCO-listed Summer Palace to the above sites (Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven). It comes with private car and a guide, allowing you to fully experience four cultural landmarks – from the imperial history of the Forbidden City to the garden charm of the Summer Palace – alongside authentic local dining.
Temple of Heaven
After being picked up from your accommodation in the central area of Beijing in the morning, you will meet your private guide and start your day's journey. The first stop of your itinerary is the Temple of Heaven — a sacred imperial site where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held annual ceremonies to pray to Heaven for blessings. Accompanied by your guide, you will wander through the courtyard surrounded by ancient, towering trees. Here, you will not only encounter local residents doing morning exercises (including tai chi, sword dancing, and group singing) and are welcome to join in to experience the vitality of daily life; you will also explore the core essence areas of the Temple of Heaven in depth: whether it is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound Altar, or the Danbi Bridge connecting the two, each spot embodies the ancient people's reverence for Heaven and Earth as well as their exquisite architectural wisdom.
Option 1:Subway No Lunch: Option 1: Visit the sites by subway, which includes downtown hotel pick-up, entry tickets and subway fee, but no lunch.
Duration: 6 hours
Pickup included
Duration: 8 hours
Option 3: Plus Summer Palace: Option 3: Visit the sites plus the Summer Palace by private car, which includes downtown hotel pick-up, drop-off, and lunch.
Pickup included
Duration: 6 hours
Option 2: Lunch and Transfer : Choose Option 2 to visit the sites by private car, which includes downtown hotel pick-up and drop-off, as well as lunch.
Pickup included
152 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Rebecca C,
Sep 7, 2025
- Viator
Our guide Lucy was amazing! Very friendly and was very knowledgeable about the history of the buildings and area. She was able to answer any questions we had throughout the day. Having a private guide was well worth it as we felt we could move at our own pace and learned more. We really enjoyed the whole day!
William R,
Aug 21, 2025
- Viator
Our guide Lucy and driver Wang were exceptional. We had an excellent experience; Lucy is very knowledgeable, patient, and knows all the shortcuts and secrets to having a brilliant day. Highly recommended!
Alona V,
Aug 17, 2025
- Viator
This is a wonderful tour. Our guide Lucy was kind, super knowledgeable and very flexible. Car was new and clean, driving was careful. They were accommodating of our interests and time and Lucy knew all the best ways to get around the crowds in the forbidden city. Highly recommend this tour!
chrisyansick,
Jul 13, 2025
- Viator
While we are experienced travelers, we knew when traveling to Beijing the experience would be tremendously improved with the help of a guide. Not only did Ranee do a fabulous job showing us Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven, but also found a local restaurant for us to sample Peking Duck and also arranged a last minute tea ceremony that my daughter really enjoyed. She did more than show us the sights, she helped bring the history alive with stories.
donald W,
Jul 10, 2025
- Viator
Lucia was out guide. She was very personable and we really enjoyed her history stories. She is flexible and very knowledgeable. My wife was not feeling well, but she was very accommodating. I highly recommend her.
Operated by Discover Beijing Tours