4-Hour Private Beijing Walking Tour of the Forbidden City
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4-Hour Private Beijing Walking Tour of the Forbidden City

By Discover Beijing Tours
Recommended by 99% of travellers
99% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Get the most out of your Beijing vacation with this personalized private Beijing walking tour of the Forbidden City. Eliminate the need to study a map, and rely on your guide to take care of the navigating. Explore Tiananmen Square, and avoid waiting in ticket lines at the Forbidden City, as entrance fees are included. A perk of the tour is that the itinerary can be tailored to your preferences.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-90
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
  • Avoid long ticket lines at the Forbidden City—entry is included
  • A private tour ensures having your guide’s undivided attention
  • Choose the start time of the tour to suit your schedule
  • Learn about Beijing’s history through guide commentary

  • Professional guide
  • Private tour
  • Hotel pickup only(but not including the transportation fee to Tian'anmen Square)
  • Entrance fee
  • Entry/Admission - Forbidden City-The Palace Museum
  • Entry/Admission - Hall of Union
  • Entry/Admission - Hall of Great Harmony (Taihe Dian)
  • Entry/Admission - Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian)
  • Entry/Admission - The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum
What's not included
  • Transportation to the Forbidden City
  • Hotel drop-off
  • Gratuities
  • Additional entrance fee to the museums


Start:Traveller pickup offered.
    Pickup details
    • Hotel pick up including hotels within the 4th ring road of Beijing city
    Additional pickup options
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included pickup points.
    • Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall, 20 Qian Men Dong Da Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100051
    End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

      • Wheelchair accessible
      • Pushchair accessible
      • Near public transportation
      • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
      If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 11301P27

      • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
      • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
      • Passport name, number is required at time of booking for all participants
      • The Forbidden City in winter closes at 4:30pm (1st of Nov - 31st of March), in summer at 5:00pm (1st of April -31st of Oct), please arrange your start time accordingly
      • Please Note: When making a booking, please provide the tour operator with your desired pick up time at "special requirement", your tour operator will also contact you just in case
      • The visit to Tiananmen Square is not guaranteed, it might be closed due to the government events.
      • Most travellers can participate
      • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

      • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

      If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 11301P27

      From
      £70.82
      £60.20
      per adult (price varies by group size)
      Select date and travellers
      Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.

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      • 3
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      About the operator
      Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
      • Discover Beijing Tours
        5.0 of 5 bubbles2,765
        Beijing, China
        Joined in December 2012
      • Willie R
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Great way to see Beijing cultural attractions
        Sherry was a great guide, she was able to explain all the symbolism and cultural significance of all the sites. The has a lot of walking so recommend a car if you have any mobility issues, but it is a great way to see more of the city. In addition to the sites listed, she also explained a lot about Chinese culture in general. Highly recommend!
        Written 15 March 2025
      • Flyer23691866493
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Lovely, educational and entertaining tour!
        Our guide, Cassie, spoke very good English and helped us patiently at all gates and checks. Her stories really brought the incredible sites to life. Our group loved the day visiting Tiananmen square and The forbidden city.
        Written 15 March 2025
      • Wanderer59563328657
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Interesting, valuable
        The Guide was great and told us the history of the Forbidden City. His English was perfect and he walked us to places I would not see alone.
        Written 15 March 2025
      • Inspire54493957765
        0 contributions
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        Forbidden City
        My wife and I had an enjoyable experience touring the Forbidden City with Mike. He was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing fascinating insights about the history and architecture of this amazing site. His storytelling was also entertaining, making the tour both engaging and educational. Mike’s passion for history and his friendly demeanor made our visit truly memorable. We highly recommend Mike as a guide!
        Written 15 March 2025
      • vixen_in_me
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Great moment in Gugong with Jay
        Small group visit was great, Jay was excellent as a guide and showed us so many hidden gems. He is also very energetic and interacts with the group in a very positive way. I highly recommend
        Written 15 March 2025
      • LindseyDesoto
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Memorable tour in the Forbidden City
        We had a private tour guide, Jack, with us at Tiamen Square and the Forbidden city. Jack communicated with us the day before to confirm our pickup time/location, and he arrived at the hotel on time. Jack was able to share his knowledgeable with us in an approachable, easy, and fun way. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with him that we booked a food tour with him for the following day. The driver was also lovely and provided us with water and snacks. The historical site is amazing, but having the historical context with to go along with it is simply priceless and added to our overall experience immensely!
        Written 15 March 2025
      • G2795GLsebastia
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        A tasty treat through the streets of Beijing
        We had an absolute blast walking around Dongsi with Jack, our guide. He was quick to communicate and offer alternatives during our time with him. All the dishes were thoughtfully picked out and we had a mix of both familiar and very interesting dishes. Regardless of what we were eating, it was all delicious and from very local places. The servings were very generous so come hungry! 10/10 would definitely do it again!
        Written 15 March 2025
      • gianessa k
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Would recommend
        Our tour guide Cindy was wonderful! We had a great time. She took photos for us too! It ended up being a private tour (just myself and a friend) which was nice, and the driver was great too. Very convenient for visitors with a short amount of time in Beijing, we’d recommend!
        Written 15 March 2025
      • stefaniaroxanab
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        amazing experience with guide Jay
        Me and my friends went to the forbidden city with our tour guide Jay and it was very good! many details and curiosities about the palace, it was a great experience. highly reccommended!
        Written 15 March 2025
      • KarolinaK2280
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        The best guide 😘
        Big thanks to the office staff for allowing us to modify the tour program. However, it was the guide Lily who ensured that we had a wonderful day and introduced us to the history and culture of China. She made our time very enjoyable with many stories and despite the poor weather it was a fantastic day. We would also like to thank our driver Hanthat's who picked us up and dropped us off at the airport without any problems and drove us safely around the city. I recommend and hope that the next trip with your office will be just as successful.
        Written 15 March 2025
      • jessicagV8545SQ
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Great Wall and panda house
        What an awesome day. Linda was a great guide and our driver was great as well. First we went to see the pandas at the Beijing zoo which was a great experience. Then we drove about an hour and half to the Great Wall. We got to do some shopping and then had lunch before heading to see the Great Wall. We were able to walk the wall and had enough time to see and explore everything. We then were able to go to a traditional Chinese tea house and sample some of the teas. It was a fantastic day and one we will remember for years to come! Highly recommend this tour.
        Written 14 March 2025
      • Newdeath2
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Good times in Forbidden City
        I had an amazing 4-hour guided tour of the Forbidden City in Beijing with Andy as my guide. Andy was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing fascinating history and insights that brought the palace to life. His friendly and engaging style made the tour fly by, and I left with a deep appreciation for this iconic site. Highly recommend Andy for anyone visiting Beijing!
        Written 14 March 2025
      • FO912
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Absolutely recommend and worth the price!
        Great experience! Excellent guide! Absolutely worth the money, very informative and a must in Beijing. You need to be prepare for some kilometers of walk!
        Written 14 March 2025
      • milankD8067PT
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Great Wall with Guide Cindy
        We (couple from Germany) had an amazing tour of the Great Wall with Cindy! She provided insights, answered all our questions, and made the experience both informative and enjoyable. Also she led us to parts of the wall with very few tourists. No waiting, not crowded. Afterwards we went to see Panda bears in the Zoo. Her English is easy to understand—and she created a relaxed, engaging atmosphere throughout the tour. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a knowledgeable and friendly guide! Ask for Cindy :)
        Written 13 March 2025
      • Victor L
        0 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Very informative and entertaining visit!
        We had a great time visiting Tiananmen Square and Forbidden Palace with our tour guide, Anson. He explained the history of the sites in great detail, and told us many interesting stories about ancient Chinese customs and beliefs. He was funny and answered all the questions we had. The tour moved at a brisk pace, but he gave us an appropriate amount of time for rest and bathroom breaks. At the end of the tour, we were exhausted, but we never felt bored and we left with the feeling of a great experience!
        Written 13 March 2025
      See all 2,765 reviews
      These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

      Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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      5.0
      5.0 of 5 bubbles454 reviews
      Excellent
      439
      Very good
      11
      Average
      1
      Poor
      1
      Terrible
      2

      These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
      This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

      Someone S
      1 contribution
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Mar 2025 • Friends
      Miko our guide was excellent. He was so knowledgeable and his English was excellent. He was also very caring as one of our party had an injury and he looked after us!! Could not recommend him highly enough!!

      Tickets to the Forbidden City were sold out on the day we wanted to go, so bought these tickets online two days before. Miko’s guidance made us realise that you just cannot go to the Forbidden City without a guide. He was easy to hear also as we were all given ear phones to hear him speak. Would give more than 5 stars if I could!
      Written 8 March 2025
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      Markus S
      20 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      We went with Miko across Tiananmen Square to the Forbidden City and can only recommend this tour and especially Miko. Our guide took care of his group lovingly, always making sure that the fastest and slowest of us stayed together, and always pointing out toilets and similar necessities. He also made sure that we were able to take a regular break sitting down during the more than four-hour tour. At the sights he excelled with his in-depth knowledge, told a lot about the story and answered all the questions. During the breaks he asked us quiz questions and thus involved the whole group.
      Miko also talked a little bit about himself right at the beginning, making the whole tour personal and less anonymous. We were very pleased and would definitely recommend the tour.
      Automatically translated
      Written 26 September 2024
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      Richemae Grace L
      1 contribution
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Aug 2024 • Solo
      I rarely post reviews in my previous tours with guide, but, this one is proven to be one of the best. I had a great time exploring one of the highlights of Beijing (Forbidden City + Tiananmen Square). In fact, the area is heightened with securities. It is also the peak season, it may be impossible to clear the place earlier but Miko Lee, our tour guide, made our tour easier as possible. He is quite knowledgeable of the place and made sure that every cent spent is worth it. He talks passionately and desires to let his audience appreciate the beauty within. This 4-hour walking tour is equivalent to an almost 4-hour story telling. It is highly recommended.
      Written 25 August 2024
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      James C
      13 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Aug 2024 • Couples
      In addition to tremendous crowds, the area around Tianamen Square and the Forbidden city is riddled with check points and barriers and I would not want to begin trying to navigate it on my own to save a few dollars. Despite these obstacles, we never waited more than a few minutes in line and our guide gave us clear instructions on how to proceed. Miko was a great guide. Very knowledgeable and entertaining. Despite having a tough tour due to rain, health issues and children in our group— he was calm, helpful , professional and was able to keep our tour on track! I was very impressed and I would recommend him as a guide!
      Written 6 September 2024
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      elena e
      1 contribution
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Aug 2024 • Couples
      My recent tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with Miko was an absolute highlight of my trip to Beijing. His knowledge and passion for Chinese history were truly inspiring.
      Miko’s ability to weave historical tales with personal anecdotes made the tour engaging and relatable. He explained the significance of each landmark, offering insights that I wouldn’t have gained from a simple guidebook. His enthusiasm was contagious, and I found myself completely captivated by his storytelling.
      The 4-hour tour was perfectly paced, allowing us to explore both Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City at a leisurely pace. Miko ensured that we had ample time to ask questions and take photos. His attention to detail and his ability to adapt to our interests made the experience truly personalized.
      If you're looking for a knowledgeable and engaging guide to explore Beijing's iconic landmarks, I highly recommend Miko. His tour is a must-do for anyone visiting the city.
      Written 22 August 2024
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      Wesleytravel
      Amsterdam, The Netherlands10 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Sept 2024 • Couples
      The forbidden city is an incredible place. My wife and I were blown away by the scale and history of this fascinating place. There’s almost too much to see and so you definitely need a good guide to navigate the crowds. Luckily we had a great guide called Miko who gave us a ton of history about the main locations and helped bring the place to life. Be aware that the queues to reach the location due to security checks took a long time (nearly 2 hours) but Miko helped to keep things running smoothly for us.
      Written 10 September 2024
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      ElsieOng88
      Singapore, Singapore1 contribution
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Dec 2024 • Family
      I would strongly recommend this tour as it would be difficult to know about the significance of the different buildings and halls and the rich history of the former inhabitants in the Forbidden City without one.

      Our guide Miko was very knowledgeable and shared a great deal on the more significant historical events, people and stories of the palace across the dynasties. He was also helpful and funny too. A worthwhile experience!
      Written 11 December 2024
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      QRC
      12 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Jul 2024 • Friends
      Great experience with our tour guide Miko! We went during peak period (clashes with Beijing’s school holidays) so there were many more people than expected. However, Miko handled the situation very professionally, navigating our group through the crowds efficiently, and finding sheltered places (shades) for our group to rest along the way while he describes the history of Tiananmen and Forbidden City. Miko is well-prepared for the trip (the mic and earpieces are very useful for us to hear his stories clearly). Even at times where we had to queue up to enter Forbidden City, he kept sharing about the culture and lifestyle in Beijing so that we don’t feel bored, and the queues don’t seem so mundane. Throughout the 4 hour tour, and especially towards the end (where we start to get tired from the heat and walking) Miko’s energetic outlook motivates us to keep going and exploring the palace halls. Overall it was a fun and memorable trip ! Would recommend ~
      (ps: picture featuring back view of Miko with his Bobble Head stick)

      跟导游Miko的旅行体验非常棒!我们在参观故宫的日期属于旅游高峰期(与北京的学校假期重合),所以人比预期的多了许多。但是,Miko非常专业地处理了这种情况,高效地带领我们穿梭于人群之间,并且多次找了遮荫的地方让我们的团队休息,同时讲解天安门和故宫的历史。Miko为他的旅游团准备得很充分(麦克风和耳机让我们能清楚地听到他的讲述)。即使在我们排队进入故宫的时候,他也一直分享北京的文化和生活方式,让我们不感到无聊,排队也不那么枯燥。整个四个小时的旅行,特别是到了最后(我们开始因天气炎热和步行感到疲倦的时候),Miko充满活力的态度激励我们继续探索和参观故宫殿宇。总体来说,这是一次有趣而令人难忘的旅行!强烈推荐~ (图片显示Miko背影,手持他的Bobble Head拐杖)
      Written 9 July 2024
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      Michael
      8 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Feb 2025 • Solo
      I went on the tour in February 2025 during my visit in Bejing. The evening before the tour I was already contacted by Mika, my tour guide, who provided all the necessary details in advance which helped a lot in getting settled for the tour. After meet-up in front of Bejing Exhibition hall next day, we started the tour going to Tian'anmen square. Mika provided all the necessary information on our way going there and helped with speedy entry avoiding long queues. It was super informative and helpful and he even took pictures of us in front of a famous photo spot with our mobiles. Afterwards we continued to the forbidden city where Mika briefed us in detail about the history of the city in a funny way doing a quiz with the us for certain details. It helped a lot in understanding of the place and memorizing important details. The tour continues then through various locations and buildings through the forbidden city before finally ending in the gardens of the forbidden city after more than 4 hours.

      Mika was the perfect tour guide making this an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended!
      Written 25 February 2025
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      Kimberley H
      13 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Dec 2023 • Couples
      Miko was punctual and explicit in his instructions from the beginning of the tour. He informed us of our itinerary and was clear in his communication. We had a small tour of 4 people as it was very cold (up to -16 degrees). Despite the cold, Miko persisted and was very engaging and even quite witty when delivering information at each site. It was very relaxed and we enjoyed it so much we ended up staying in touch and booking two more tours with him! We did the Temple of Heaven and Beijing Hutongs. Thank you Miko! 😊
      Written 28 December 2023
      This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

      Showing results 1-10 of 447
      *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

      4-Hour Private Beijing Walking Tour of the Forbidden City provided by Discover Beijing Tours

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