Beijing Sightseeing Tour by Vintage Tram Bus

Beijing, China

Visit the iconic attractions of central Beijing on an 8-hour sightseeing bus tour that allows you to hop off to explore on foot at five top destinations in the city. You'll travel aboard a replica of a Beijing trolley car from the mid-1900s, visiting the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Wangfujing Street, Qianmen Avenue and Tiananmen Square. A guide accompanies you throughout the day, providing interesting commentary and tips.

In the morning, you'll be picked up by minivan at your Beijing hotel and driven to the bus station to begin your sightseeing tour.

Hop aboard an air-conditioned replica of a historical Dangdang trolley, used in Beijing from 1924 to 1966, and take off through the city. Make your first stop of the day at the Forbidden City, where you'll get off the bus with your guide to look around. Learn about this history of this sprawling World Heritage–listed complex, where Ming and Qing emperors once lived and ruled in opulence. Take in some of the 1,000 rooms and 800 buildings, and marvel at the exquisite luxury of imperial life.

From the northern gate of the Forbidden City, walk across the street and enter Jingshan Park through its southern gate. Offering views of the city from the top of the hill, Jingshan Park is a favorite local hangout, where Beijingers practice Tai Chi, dance and enjoy the open space. Walk up Coal Hill for the best vantage point, and learn about how the manmade hill was created using soil excavated from the construction of the moat that surrounds the Forbidden City.

Next, return to the bus and head to Wangfujing Street for inexpensive, authentic street food served from stalls that line the pedestrian walkway (own expense). This is your lunch break, so ask your guide for recommendations to fit your tastes and budget. Or perhaps go shopping; the street is also home to department stores and souvenir shops.

After lunch, hop back on the bus and make your way to Tiananmen Square, one of the largest squares in the world and known for the events of 1989, when pro-democracy protesters were massacred there. Despite the somber history, it is a lively place home to attractions like the Museums of Chinese History and Chinese Revolution, the Great Hall of the People, and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum. (Any entrance fees and activities are at your own expense.)

Finally, go with your guide for a stroll down Qianmen Avenue, a recently restored shopping district built to resemble a road from the late Qing dynasty. Your tour ends here, where you can continue touring the city on your own.

Traveler Reviews

Review by:   Annette M,    June 2016
Good way to see Beijing just the 2 of us and the tour guide another must for Beijing

Review by:   William J,    July 2015
We booked 9 or 10 tours on Viator for our trip to Japan and China. Our tour guide on this tour, Becky, was my favorite for the entire trip. She was very flexible in showing us the sites. We walked more than riding the tram and also used a taxi once. The tram was nothing special and crowded. Becky took us to one of her favorite local restaurants and it proved to be one of the best and cheapest we ate on our trip. I plan to request Becky again if I return to Beijing. The Forbidden City was very crowded but Becky navigated us through the highlights effectively.

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