Private Tour
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
If you book only Forbidden City Ticket there is NO Tour Service
Reserve entry to the Tian'anmen Square
Private guide service fee (4 hours)
Entrance ticket to the Forbidden City
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)
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)
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.
Forbidden City-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 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
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 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
Reviews
393 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great visit to Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
David D,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Peter was a great tour guide. He picked me up from my hotel, took me to the line for Tian’anmen Square. Once we got in, Peter was a wealth of knowledge and information for the square and throughout the Forbidden City. He showed me little details I would have missed otherwise.
Spectacular tour
Stuart M,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Spectacular private trip around the Forbidden city. James was an excellent guide. A thoroughly enjoyable day. Highly recommended
A beautiful experience
Gianpiero A,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our Marble guide, very friendly and professional, spoke excellent Italian and accompanied us throughout the tour telling us exhaustively the history and curiosity of the wonderful places visited. We thank him for his availability and kindness. It was nice to tour with him. Thank you Marble!
Very good visit to the forbidden city with our French guide
guillaumem163,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very good visit with our guide Sylvie who introduced us to the imperial city. Sylvie speaks very well French of course knows the subject extremely well. She was able to make the children want and capture their attention.
don’t make the mistake of skipping a guide!
Y7101XLroberth,
Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Adele was an incredible guide for our trip to the Forbidden City! You could tell she was a true historian and lover of history and her country’s past. You could not stump her if you tried. It would have been nearly impossible to sort the tickets and arrival without a Chinese guide so we’re very glad we booked and got such an excellent host. Cannot recommend enough!
Well...
E8798HHwalterb,
Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very good. Nice and friendly. Explaining the route. And very predisposed with accurate data.....all very nice, we take many photos for us
Best Day Ever in Beijing
P634RXericb,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jonathan was absolutely amazing. The best tour guide ever. He was knowledgeable, kind, and attentive to all Of our needs. He explained everything. We truly truly appreciate him.
Fantastic day at Forbidden City
Miguel Angel B,
Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Catherine Lu’s agency worked well.Booking was easy, and any unforseen issues that arose were easily managed. Tony was a fantastic guide. He is a superb guide, very attentive and professional, with a wealth of knowledge. He was algo able to efficiently manage the queues at the various entrances. Highly recommended.
Historically essential but not exceptional
Chantal B,
Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00Tianmen Square is impressive and exceptional. As for the forbidden city, disappointment, we see only the exterior buildings. The interior of the buildings is inaccessible.
A great first private tour experience
Vittorio B,
Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time with James. He picked us up directly at the hotel, which is nice additional service. We had an insightful conversation with him about the history of China and learned a lot about this country. He also gave us great tips for our stay here. It was our first private tour and we would highly recommend others to try this experience.
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Operated by Catherine Lu Tours