Private Tour
Private Beijing Walking Tour of the Forbidden City with 7 Options
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
As Beijing’s most iconic landmark, the Forbidden City is a must-visit highlight—and we offer tailored flexible packages to match your travel style: guided walking tours, all-inclusive trips with round-trip private transfers, bundles featuring authentic Hutong lunch, plus in-depth tours covering the palace’s museums, Jingshan Park and combo visits to the Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace & the Great Wall.
Most importantly, all our packages include admission tickets, taking the hassle out of the Forbidden City’s strict ticketing policies and solving your ticket-buying troubles completely.
Our private walking tour lets you experience the palace’s true essence along the imperial central axis, following the emperors’ footsteps from Tiananmen Square through Meridian Gate. Your dedicated guide brings royal stories to life at every key spot, helping you skip crowds and fully immerse in the grandeur of red walls, golden roofs and timeless imperial legacy.
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
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
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.
0-3 Years old infant is free, children have to purchase tickets as well
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 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.
Tiananmen Square is a complimentary attraction, functioning as a tourist landmark and a political activity center. In case the square visit is unavailable due to political reasons or other unforeseen factors, no refund shall be issued for this part, given its free admission nature.
Chinese citizens (including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) need to book this tour 7 days in advance. By regulation, please submit Chinese name & ID number when reserving and present the ID on the tour day to join the group
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Tiananmen Square
We offer 8 distinct options for this tour—feel free to choose based on your preferences: Option 1: 4-Hour Private Forbidden City Tour ( Transportation fees to the attractions are at your own expense) Option 2: 4-Hour Private Forbidden City Tour (Including Round-Trip Private Car Transfer) Option 3: 6-Hour Tian'anmen Square & Forbidden City Tour (Including Chinese Lunch and Private Transfer) Option 4: 6-Hour In-Depth Tian'anmen Square & Forbidden City Tour (Self-Paid Transportation) Transportation fees are at your own expense. You will visit key attractions of the Forbidden City, as well as the Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery. If you do not wish to visit the museums, you can choose to go to Jingshan Park instead where you can overlook the core buildings of Beijing’s central axis and enjoy a panoramic view of the Forbidden City—an ideal spot for photography and understanding Beijing’s urban layout.
National Museum Of China
Our first stop is Tiananmen Square. Please be aware that the Square may be temporarily closed without prior notice due to official events. In the event of such a closure, our team will promptly adjust the itinerary. We will guide you on a walk around the perimeter of the Square, providing in-depth commentary to ensure you gain comprehensive insights into this iconic landmark. Your tour guide will share relevant historical context as you view the following significant buildings from the outside: the National Museum of China, the Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall, the Monument to the People's Heroes, and the Flagpole.
What‘s Included
For option 1+4: Hotel pickup included but not including the transportation fee to the attraction
Private round trip transfer if you choose the option 2 and 3
Professional guide
Lunch or Dinner in Hutong if you choose option 3
Entrance fee
Transportation if you choose option 1 or 4
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Option 7: Add Great Wall
Option 7: Add Great Wall: Choose this option to visit Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City and Great Wall(Badaling or Mutianyu), entrance fee included.
Pickup included
Option 2: Tour with Transfer
Option 2: 4-Hour Private Forbidden City Tour (Including Round-Trip Private Car Transfer)
Duration: 4 hours
Pickup included
Option 5: Add Temple of Heaven
Option 5: Add Temple of Heaven: Private Tour to visit Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden city and Temple of Heaven. Including entrance fee, guide&transfer.
Pickup included
Option 8:3 UNESCO Sites+Square
Option 8:3 UNESCO Sites+Square: Option visit Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City& Summer Palace, including English guide, tickets&transfer.
Pickup included
Option 4: 6 Hour In-depth Tour
Option 4: 6-Hour In-Depth Tian'anmen Square & Forbidden City Tour, Transportation fees are at your own cost
Duration: 6 hours
Pickup included
Option 6: Add Summer Palace
Option 6: Add Summer Palace: Visit Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace. Including entrance fee, English guide&transfer.
Pickup included
Option 3: Tour+Meal+ transfer
Option 3: 6-Hour Tian'anmen Square & Forbidden City Tour (Including Chinese Lunch and Private Transfer)
Duration: 6 hours
Pickup included
Option 1:Tour without transfer
Option 1:Tour without transfer: Option 1: 4-Hour Private Forbidden City Tour ( Transportation fees to the attractions are at your own expense)
Duration: 4 hours
Pickup included
Reviews
678 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wonderful tour and guide
Gavin C,,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an excellent tour with our guide Aurora. She is very knowledgeable and communicative and made sure that everything went well. A fascinating day.
Excellent guide for the forbidden city
markcD4930WK,,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the forbidden city tour today with Kathleen. She is an excellent guide who gave us lots of information about the history of the city, its traditions and the meanings behind the different buildings and art works. We strongly recommend using Kathleen for your visit to Beijing.
Cannot recommend highly enough !! ⭐️
RJ W,,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took a private tour with Jimmy, his English skills were the best I’ve experienced in my four visits to China, his knowledge of history and culture unparalleled, he also had a thorough understanding of Australia where we call home, I cannot recommend him highly enough, and I will definitely recommend him to any and all friends planning to visit Beijing, he made it easy and we learned so much about this amazing country, thanks Jimmy you’re a legend !
A nice tour with sherry
EricL4500,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Spent the morning with sherry and she showed us the Tiananmen Square and the forbidden city, she’s very communicative and has a good control of the pace. Would definitely recommend her
Helpful and Informative - Made the Visit so Much Better
LauraMarie H,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great option for getting to know a lot of detail at the beginning of your visit and then having time to wander around on your own. Our group of three adults was a bit complicated due to special needs, but our guide handled it like a champ. He provided great historical details and entertaining side stories and tailored what he told us based on what we showed an interest in. My family was very happy and I'd recommend booking this tour since it really helped you understand the significance and local feeling about what you were looking at.
Susan shared all the history of China and Beijing: Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, …
garyeR483GK,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Susan will bring your trip to Beijing to life, whether you’re visiting the Forbidden city, the Temple of Heaven, or any other landmark. Her knowledge of history is superb and she tells it with passion. Her energy is infectious! She took care of every detail, even the things we would never have thought of.!
Amazing beijing guide
carloscK4014LK,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sherry was our guide and we went to the forbidden city, the plaza, the square and even a tea house, a must have for beijing tourists
Forbidden City
W1104AHgeorgias,,Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thank you to Susan who helped us with the Forbidden City tour. She was excellent explaining all about the history and culture. Also, the car was very modern and comfortable.
MUST-DO ACTIVITY
N1440FDkeithb,,Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Private Beijing Walking Tour of the Forbidden City is a MUST-DO ACTIVITY during your trip to Beijing. After skipping many long lines, which is a huge benefit of this tour as compared to going on your own, the tour starts at Tiananmen Square and then goes into the Forbidden City. Andy was an excellent tour guide. He provided the history of the buildings and various structures. He gave insightful comments about Chinese culture. In the Forbidden City, he took us to an area with some of the existing artifacts. This area did not have a lot of visitors, so most people seem unaware. Andy also took great pictures. Overall, this was a wonderful experience! I strongly recommend this tour with Andy as your guide!
Better than we thought and appreciated the communications and professionalism
MarcR357,,Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our day exploring Beijing with our wonderful guide Susan (Jade) was truly unforgettable. From the moment we met her, her passion for her country and its history shone through every story she told. Walking through the Forbidden City, we felt as though we were stepping back in time — her vivid storytelling brought the emperors, dynasties, and traditions to life in a way that was both fascinating and deeply moving. Every detail of the day was perfectly organized — our driver seemed to appear effortlessly at every exit point, making the entire experience smooth and relaxed. The visit to the Temple of Heaven was another highlight — its beauty, symbolism, and serenity were enhanced by her thoughtful explanations and genuine enthusiasm. We came away with a profound appreciation for Beijing and for China’s incredible cultural heritage. This was so much more than a tour — it was a journey through history guided by someone who truly loves what she does. We feel very fortunate to have shared the day with her and would recommend this experience wholeheartedly. Feels like we made a new friend along the way. Highly recommend this company and our guide Susan.
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Operated by Discover Beijing Tours