Private Tour
Private Beijing Walking Tour of the Forbidden City(4 Options)
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Craving an unforgettable Forbidden City experience? We’ve crafted options to fit your style—budget-friendly walking tours, private car-inclusive itineraries, packages with Hutong lunch, or deep tours covering the palace plus its museums or Jingshan Park.
Our private walking tour lets you soak up the Forbidden City’s true essence, centering on the imperial central axis—the very heart of the palace where China’s imperial history came to life. Start at Tiananmen Square, enter via the iconic Meridian Gate, tracing the same path emperors once took. Key spots along the axis hold stories of royal ceremonies and state affairs — all brought vividly to life by your dedicated guide.
No need to waste time navigating crowds or figuring out which spots matter most: we’ll help you make the most of every moment, so you can fully immerse yourself in the grandeur of the red walls, golden roofs, and timeless legacy of this historic site.
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
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
Tian'anmen Square might close without advance notice due to government activity, if this happens you will skip the Square
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 case of peak travel seasons and when all the tickets reserved online for the scenic area are sold out, tourists are required to go to the ticket office of the scenic area by themselves under the guidance of the tour guide to handle the purchase of paper tickets on-site. Please be informed.
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)
We offer 4 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.
Options
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 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 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
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
Reviews
662 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A hotel transfer made the...
Suzannah F,
Oct 16, 2025
- Viator
5.00A hotel transfer made the morning easy as security and check in at Tiananmen Square took longer than anticipated. Lucy hit the highlights of both sites enabling us to explore more on our own.
We were a group of 4...
Aanchal G,
Oct 5, 2025
- Viator
5.00We were a group of 4 people and did the tour with Jack. Jack was very knowledgeable and fluent in English. We learned a lot about China's history. Highly recommend him!
Wonderful day touring Beijing
Julia L,
Sep 26, 2025
- Viator
5.00It is a good idea to go with an experienced and knowledgeable guide. Thanks to my guide Susan and her company Discover Beijing Tours I had a truly memorable day at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. I highly recommend them. And if you can, ask for Susan. She is the real deal. And also, thanks to our very patient driver. Don’t know how he did it, considering how hard it is to get around and park in the central areas. But it all worked like a charm. Thanks!
Guide Jason gave us an unforgettable experience
Ron R,
Sep 15, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had a fantastic experience with our guide Jason, who was not only very knowledgeable but also a very nice person. Jason was very patient in answering the many questions we posed to him. I highly recommend our guide Jason.
A Local Companion for a Solo Traveler
Jenny E,
Sep 10, 2025
- Viator
5.00I booked the private walking tour of the Forbidden City with Lucia as my guide. She was extremely flexible. I experienced travel delays that impacted my original tour time. She effortlessly shifted our plans to accommodate my needs and allowed me to still have an amazing experience despite my flight delay - I didn’t miss anything! Lucia is very knowledgeable and shared interesting history and facts throughout our day. This helped add context that I would have missed traveling alone. She pivoted nicely when faced with external factors like traffic to ensure the best experience for me. We even rode bikes through Tiananmen Square which was such a fun and memorable way to see this landmark! As a solo traveler, I appreciated having a travel companion with local expertise. Highly recommended!
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Operated by Discover Beijing Tours