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 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 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 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
378 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Must go on tour in Beijing
Lauren,
Sep 28, 2025
- Viator
5.00Jenny was a great tour guide. She was on time and she let me change the summer palace for the temple of heaven being I went to the other the day before. She took me to a good dumpling place. She was very knowledgeable!
Great guide.
sheila0013,
Sep 27, 2025
- Viator
5.00James was a very kind and helpful guide. He got us into the Square and Forbidden City nice and early so we didn’t have to queue for too long. He was very enjoyable to be with.
A truly memorable experience!
Daryl C,
Sep 19, 2025
- Viator
5.00Peter from Catherine Lu Tours was our private tour guide. He is extremely knowledgeable and very conversant in Mandarin and English. He shared vivid history about the Forbidden City and the historical figures who lived in it. Transporting us back to imperial times! Peter also got us into Tiananmen Square via the shortest route (still about 30mins) despite earlier hearing of hours-long queues to get in. After the Forbidden City, Peter brought us for a food tour of local eateries to sample authentic Beijing food like donkey (yes you heard me right!) meat pancakes, pig innards stew, dumplings, etc. It was truly a memorable experience!
Nice visit
Lucia A,
Sep 14, 2025
- Viator
4.00Arantxa was our guide around the Forbidden City, it has been very nice and friendly, also speaks Spanish perfectly.
Forbidden City & Temple of Heavens
Juha H,
Sep 11, 2025
- Viator
5.00We can highly recommend our guide Jenny for a super well organised tour. She was wonderfully informative and took our needs in to care. Jenny has great local knowledge and you will be in good hands. A big thank you.
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Operated by Catherine Lu Tours