Beijing Essential City Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

Beijing, China

If your time in Beijing is short, take this full-day private tour to see all the essential sights: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. You'll see why the capital of the People's Republic of China continues to be a historic center of power, culture and wealth today.

Meet your guide at the lobby of your hotel in Beijing city centre to start this amazing full-day private tour in the capital of China.

The first stop is at the northern side of Tiananmen Square, one of the symbols of Beijing. Here you can see two pairs of 600 year old stone lions, the characteristic ornamental columns, an outer golden water bridge and several other decorations that the guide will explain. The square is one of the biggest in the world, holding the National Flag Pole, the Monument to the People's Hero, the Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, the Great Hall of People, and the National Museum.

Then you will proceed to visit the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved ancient imperial palaces group in China, with 500 years’ of history. Here you will learn about the history of this sprawling World Heritage–listed complex, where the 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.

After exploring the Forbidden City, you will have the opportunity to visit a cloisonné enamel ware factory, followed by a traditional Chinese cuisine lunch and a transfer to the Great Wall.

The last activity is the Mutianyu Great Wall, the longest piece of architecture in the world, stretching from east China’s coast to west China’s desert. This section of the Wall is known for its beautiful surroundings like dense woods and rich pastures changing colors with the seasons of a year. At Mutianyu, you can hike up the side of mountain to the wall or take a cable car (at your own expense). Then you can walk over the wall passing several watch towers for different views. On the way down, you can either walk, or take the cable car or toboggan (at your own expense).

After a great day of exploring the Beijing essentials, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Beijing.