Private Tour

Forbidden City Small-Group Tour with Entry Tickets, Expert Guide

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours

Mobile ticket

The Forbidden City is massive and easy to get lost in—over 9,000 rooms, long walking routes, and layers of history that most visitors miss. This small-group guided tour turns your visit into a focused, meaningful, and enjoyable experience.

Your expert English-speaking guide brings the palace to life through clear storytelling: imperial rituals, hidden symbols, palace politics, and the real stories behind the emperors and empresses. Instead of wandering aimlessly, you follow a smartly designed route covering the central axis, key halls, scenic courtyards, and great photo spots—making the huge complex easy to understand and fun to explore.

Skip-the-line entry tickets are included. If online tickets are sold out, on-site purchase may require waiting.

With a small group for better interaction and plenty of time for questions, this tour is perfect for first-time visitors who want deeper insights, smooth entry, and a richer experience at China’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

A current valid passport is required on the day of travel

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Forbidden City-The Palace Museum

For nearly 500 years, the Forbidden City was the epicenter of Chinese power—a magnificent palace complex that housed 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Beyond its stunning architecture and world-class art collection lie stories of imperial intrigue, secret love affairs, and political schemes waiting to be uncovered. On this specially designed walking tour, you won’t just see the sights—you’ll step into the hidden world of emperors and concubines. Your expert guide will bring history to life as you explore carefully chosen halls and courtyards, sharing dramatic tales rarely heard outside these crimson walls. The 2-kilometer route is thoughtfully planned to be gentle and engaging—perfect for all ages—and ensures you experience the soul of the Forbidden City, not just the stones.

3 hours • Admission Included

What‘s Included

Entrance ticket(If online tickets are sold out, on-site purchase may require waiting)

English-speaking tour guide

Private transportation

Meals

Options

3-Hour Private Guided Tour

English Guide+Entry Ticke

Forbidden City Ticket Only

Entrance Ticket only, NO Guide

Small-Group Tour 10-20 Person

English Guide+Entry Ticke

Reviews

5.00

5 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Interactive Driver!
mgirn1,,Aug 9, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Larry is a great driver and guide to have when visiting Beijing! He waited for us at the airport with a sign and we had a quick exit out of the airport. Larry gave great recommendations such as; places to eat, the Kung Fu show, and souvenir shops. Larry has great English and provided commentary to significant places in Beijing. He is well organized and knowledgeable, leading to an overall great experience!
The Best!
lkk,,Apr 9, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We were in China over spring break and used Larry for touring Beijing and The Great Wall. He is amazing and our trip would not have been the same if we did not have him guiding us around, taking us to awesome local restaurants and telling us about history and culture. Our experience in Shanghai was not as good, sadly with a different company. Do not hesitate to book him, you will not regret it. He speaks great English, is funny and patient and is more of a friend showing you around than a boring tour guide. He was punctual, organized and had an impeccable new vehicle, totally went along with our crazy ideas of eating crazy food and leaving super early for the great wall and even had a professional camera he used to take millions of pictures of us (I have teenage girls, so there are never enough pictures) Reach out to me if you have any questions, but so happy to recommend this business, wish there were more like him in the world.
Fantastic tour guide & an amazing day out
ruqaiyyahk,,Apr 8, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We booked this tour with Larry in the last minute, it was very well organized and easy to coordinate logistics. The hotel pick-up was easy and the trip was comfortable and better than we had expected. Larry was very accommodating and helpful answering all our questions and taking our pictures to! We had an amazing time and I would re-book again and recommend this tour guide for people who are going to Beijing to see the Great Wall for the first time. Larrys English was fantastic and overall the tour was brilliant!
Larry is a class act!
austinirene,,Jun 22, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Don't waste your time with anyone else. Larry is professional, knowledgable and organized! He picked us 6 travelers up from our hotel in Beijing and took us to the Great Wall. He helped us navigate the ticketing process to get up the chairlift at Mutianyu, and even gave us fans as souvenirs when the tour was over! I'd trust him to take me anywhere in China!