Forbidden City Private Walking Tour with Optional Sights
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
This private tours includes the Forbidden city with the optional sights.
If you select only the Forbidden city tour then the tour contains 4 hours
If you select it with others you it has optional sights that will continue to go.
your professional English speaking tour guide will meet you at the designated hotel in downtown area or set meeting point and walk to visit the biggest city center square in the world - Tiananmen Square then walk to the largest Imperial Palace to understand the emperors in the Ming & Qing Dynasty. You also can learn more Chinese history from your guide.
Highlights:
- Visit the biggest square in the world: Tiananmen square;
- Efficient way to visit the Forbidden City beating the crowd;
- See the valuable exhibits and visit less-know halls of the palace;
-Optional other important highlights in Beijing such as Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace
If you only choose the Forbidden City Ticket service there is just Ticket Service. No Tour NO Pick-Up
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Dress code is smart casual
Please note: Forbidden City is closed every Monday, except the Chinese public holidays
Chinese citizens need to book the tour one week in advance
Tian'anmen square might be closed due to the political activities without announcement and if this is the case we will replace with Jinshan Park but there is no refund due to it is free anyway
Not recommended clients have walking problems for entering the Square
What To Expect
Tiananmen Square
Depart at your own hotel or meet at the specific area called the Lash Tea house at Qianmen Branch near the Tian'anmen Square and walk to the Tian’anmen Square (after all the security check) with our certificated Tour Guide. You are going to see the ancient Qianmen Gate, the Monument to the People’s heroes and the Great Hall of the people from outside and your tour guide will share with you the history and stories behind all the mentioned architectures.
The Palace Museum
We’ll spend 2 hours wandering around this amazing example of Imperial architecture and learning about the history of the palace. There is another option: Booking entrance ticket with us. Please bring your valid passport to visit and go to the spot on your own. Forbidden City was the imperial palace from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. For around 500 years , it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government The tour route : Forbidden City is divided into two parts. The southern section, or the Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The northern section, or the Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. You can take the central route or East Route or West Route depending your own interests or even visiting the Treasure house on the East route. After the tour, taking the public transportation back to your hotel on your own.
Options
4-HourT Square+Forbidden City
Duration: 4 hours: Contains 4 hours tour to the Tian'anmen Square & Forbidden city in all languages EN, ES, FR, DE, IT Guide Walking route urber or subway : You will go from the downtown hotel to the square with the public transportation by didi at your own cost All Languages tour : We offer all the language : English, French, German, Spanish, Italian . with hotel pick up (Transportation Fee Not Included) Pickup included
Forbidden city W Hutong Food
Hutongs Food Tour : After Forbidden city you can visit the hutong and try the local hutong food cuisine and understand the food culture here Private : This is private tour with lots of walking Duration: 6 hours: 4 hours Tian'anmen Square Forbidden with 2 hours hutong food tour Hutongs food lunch/dinner : You can take either morning Forbidden city tour with hutong food for lunch or afternoon Forbidden city tour with Hutong dinne Public transportation: Downtown hotel picking up with subway or didi to get around Pickup included
Forbidden City W Summer Palace
Duration: 6 hours: Day tour to the Forbidden city with Summer Palace with the entry tickets are included. Excluded meals. Urber or subway : Take the urber or subway to go from the downtown hotel to the sights and pick up from the downtown area are included Pickup included
Forbidden city W Great Wall
Optional sight to the Wall: Mutianyu wall with Forbidden city options with private transportations Duration: 8 hours: 8 hours tour to the Forbidden city with Great Wall in all languages Private transportation : car or mini van depending the number of the participants Pickup included
Forbidden City W Temple Heaven
Temple of Heaven : If you choose this option you will continue to visit the Temple of Heaven after the Forbidden city with our tour guide. Private Tour : Private Tour Duration: 6 hours: 6 hours tour including the visit to the Tian'anmen square Forbidden city and Temple of Heaven Walking with Urber or Subway : Downtown hotel to the Tian'anmen Square (Urber or Subway) Tian'anmen Square to Forbidden city (Walking) Forbidden city W Heaven Temple: The Tour includes the visit the T-Square Forbidden city and Temple of Heaven with public Transportation (Urber & Subway) Pickup included
What‘s Included
Reserve entry to the Tian'anmen Square
Private guide service fee (4 hours)
Entrance ticket to the Forbidden City
If you book only Forbidden City Ticket there is NO Tour Service
Urber between Forbidden city to other sights (If Forbidden city W other sights option selection)
Transportation to the Forbidden City (If the Option for T Square W Forbidden city 4 hour Tour)
Meals (lunch & dinner)
Gratuity (for good service)
Transportation (hotel drop off)
Hotel Pick-up within 4th ring road (transportation to the Tian'anmen Square probably costs $50)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
451 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Outstanding private tour of Tiananmen Sq/Forbidden City with guide Bill
Sputnik NYC,Jul 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Did a private tour of Tiananmen Square / Forbidden City with guide Bill of Catherine Lu Tours - he did a truly excellent job. Bill is knowledgeable, personable, engaging, friendly… just a wonderful professional guide. His knowledge of Chinese / Beijing history & culture and his explanations of the buildings, monuments, inscriptions etc. made the experience so much more informative & worthwhile than if I'd gone on my own. I would gladly recommend Bill to friends or family visiting Beijing in the future. Catherine Lu tours (Catherine + team) were also very helpful and responsive over email and WeChat re: tour logistics -- would recommend them without hesitation.
It was a very nice experience.
Klaus M,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Everything went perfectly, and the tour even lasted longer than booked. A wonderful and interesting tour. Park Guell
Amazing tour
Deborah D,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00May was an amazing guide. She took us through all the sites with a small line and quickly took us in. We greatly enjoyed it.
A great moment in the history of the Forbidden City led by a passionate and engaging guide.
patrickaA1159ZU,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A very professional and captivating guide who spoke excellent French and made us truly feel the tumultuous history of the Forbidden City. A big thank you for this wonderful experience.
Family Tiananmen and Forbidden City Tour
chriscA6576VB,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time with Bill as our tour guide for Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. We’re a family of six with kids from 7-21. Meeting us at our hotel, and being flexible enough to stop for a quick meal of Baozi before the tour really helped everyone have a good time. Very informative and entertaining. His restaurant recommendation was spot on for afterwards as well.
Interesting & Informative Tour
Michael C,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved the Forbidden City walking tour! Our guide Susie was an amazing. She provided a lot of history and detail about the sites. She also took us to a great spot for lunch. Thank you!
A Lovely Morning
235emilyg,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My tour guide was Lena. She picked me up from my hotel and we walked the short distance to Tiananmen Square from there. Lena is very knowledgeable about the history of China and the various buildings. T Square is an awesome sight, and Lena was able to illustrate the history of the PRC very well, and I left with a real sense of the significance of the site. The Forbidden City was our next stop, and Lena knew so much about the city itself, its inhabitants and the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was a fascinating way to spend the morning. Well worth it!
Everything is perfect
nicolacL5625TY,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Gabriele was professional and attentive, explaining everything without rushing and assisting us with the various checks to enter. We recommend him.
Forbidden City tour with an Italian guide
francescosaveriod704,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic experience at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Our guide Gabriele led us throughout the journey and entertained us with stories about the Forbidden City and China in general, adding great value to the visit.
Wonderful quick tour of Forbidden City and Summer Palace
joehQ4074FQ,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had only a few hours to explore the Forbidden City and Summer Palace and Jenna was the perfect guide. She picked me up at my airport hotel, expertly adjusted the routes through the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City to make sure I made the most of my limited time. I learned so much about what I was witnessing with her explanations. Her knowledge of the sites is very impressive. Jenna is kind and intuitive. I completely recommend her and Catherine Lu Tours.
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