Step into China’s imperial past with this full-day experience that brings together some of Beijing’s most iconic landmarks. You’ll explore the grandeur of the Forbidden City or the Summer Palace and be amazed by the stunning Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China.
Tour Options
When booking, you can choose between the following options:
Mutianyu Great Wall + Forbidden City (9.5 hours)
We’ll meet at Exit C of Jinyu Hutong metro station to begin our journey through China’s history. Ready to discover two of Beijing’s greatest treasures in a single day?
From there, we’ll head to the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved imperial palace complex in China. For centuries, this vast residence was home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
During a 3-hour guided tour, we’ll walk through grand halls and peaceful courtyards while learning about the emperors, court life, and the dynasties that shaped the country’s history.
Afterwards, we’ll travel for around 1.5 hours to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Along the way, your guide will share insights about this architectural masterpiece and tips to make the most of your visit.
Once we collect the tickets at the Visitor Center, you’ll take the shuttle bus up to the entrance. You’ll then have around 3.5 hours of free time to explore Mutianyu at your own pace. Surrounded by pine and cypress forests, this beautifully restored stretch of wall invites you to walk between watchtowers, climb to higher points for sweeping views, and even take the cable car on your own if you wish. You’ll also have time to grab lunch at one of the nearby restaurants.
After your visit, we’ll meet back at the Visitor Center and return to Beijing, where the tour will end near the Olympic Park.
Mutianyu Great Wall + Summer Palace (10 hours)
For this option, we’ll meet at Exit E of Dongsi metro station. From there, we’ll travel for about 1 hour and 15 minutes to Mutianyu. We’ll take advantage of the journey to tell you some interesting facts about the history of the place.After picking up the tickets and taking the shuttle bus to the entrance, you’ll have 4 hours of free time to explore this historic section of the wall, which has stood for more than 600 years.
From the watchtowers, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of mountains and forests stretching into the distance. You’ll also have time to eat at one of the nearby restaurants before we return to Beijing.
In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Summer Palace, a masterpiece of Chinese landscape design. During a 3-hour guided tour, we’ll explore its elegant pavilions, painted corridors, and tranquil lakes. You’ll hear stories about the Qing dynasty and imagine Empress Cixi at the Marble Boat on Kunming Lake. If you like, you can also take a boat ride on the lake at your own expense.
Finally, we’ll head to the Beijing Olympic Park, where the tour will come to an end.
Mutianyu Great Wall + Summer Palace + Old Summer Palace (10 hours)
In this case, we will follow the same itinerary as in the previous option, but we will devote part of the tour to visiting the Old Summer Palace.
It was built on the orders of Emperor Qianlong, who drew inspiration from French and Italian palace architecture. The aim was to replicate the palaces of Europe, which were subsequently furnished with furniture imported from the Old Continent. There were even mazes in the garden, which you can still walk through today.
These palaces were destroyed by French and British troops during the Second Opium War (1860–1862). Today, the ruins of the Old Summer Palace remain, along with a large garden featuring lakes, trees and footpaths.
Mutianyu Great Wall + Summer Palace + Lunch (10.5 hours)
In this case, we’ll meet at Exit B1 of the Dongzhimen metro station. After a 1.5-hour drive, we’ll arrive at Mutianyu, where you’ll have 4 hours of free time to walk along the wall and take in the scenery.
After exploring, you’ll enjoy a buffet lunch at the Great Wall View Restaurant, with views of the wall itself. You’ll be able to try local dishes such as dumplings and different rice specialties.
In the afternoon, we’ll continue to the Summer Palace. During a 2-hour guided tour, we’ll stroll along Kunming Lake and cross the famous Seventeen-Arch Bridge, surrounded by the refined beauty of the Qing imperial gardens.
The tour will end at the Olympic Park, where you can take photos of the iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium and the Water Cube.
Children Under 6
Children under 6 can join the tour free of charge but must sit on an adult’s lap on the bus, as they won’t have their own seat.
Additional Info
If you book less than 3 days in advance, we may not be able to secure tickets for the Forbidden City ahead of time, and you might need to queue at the entrance. In this case, we recommend arriving early at the meeting point so we can manage your entry.
Great Wall Day Trip
If you’d prefer to focus only on this iconic monument, we recommend checking out this Great Wall of China tour from Beijing separately.
Forbidden City Guided Tour
If you’d rather stay in the city and skip the Great Wall, we recommend checking out this guided tour of the Forbidden City only.
