Beijing: 2-Day Great Wall, Forbidden City & Summer Palace Tour

Summary

Great Wall walks, palace gardens, old Beijing alleys and city stories

You’ll walk ancient stones at Mutianyu Great Wall, wander palace gardens by dragon boat at the Summer Palace, and trace emperors’ footsteps through the Forbidden City—all with stories from a local guide and hotel pickup sorted for you. Expect moments of awe and some good laughs along Beijing’s winding hutongs.

What’s the experience like?

“You’re not tired yet?” That’s what our guide Li asked as we shuffled through the last courtyard of the Forbidden City—my feet already humming from hours of stone. The scale of Beijing’s history hit me hardest there: red walls stretching on and on, paint flaking in places, crowds moving like slow rivers. Li pointed out where an emperor used to wait before sunrise ceremonies. I tried to imagine it: incense smoke instead of camera flashes, winter breath curling in the cold. We’d started that morning at Tiananmen Square—so wide it made me feel small—and then just kept going, one story after another.

The next day was all about contrasts. After breakfast (baozi from a street stall—still warm), we drove out past the city haze to Mutianyu Great Wall. I didn’t expect the quiet up there. Wind in my ears, pine needles underfoot, a kind of silence you don’t get in Beijing proper. Some folks took the cable car but I huffed up partway on foot—Li said “the Golden Route” between towers 14 and 23 was worth it if you had energy (I made it halfway; no shame). The view just... opens up. You can see green hills rolling forever and little villages tucked in valleys. On the way down someone tried to teach me how to say “Great Wall” in Mandarin—Li laughed when I butchered it.

Later we wandered through Dongjiaominxiang Hutong, which felt like another world after all those imperial halls. Old embassy buildings with peeling paint, locals playing cards in doorways, a kid chasing pigeons past a faded French sign. The smells changed too—fried dough from a corner shop mixing with something sweet I never figured out. There’s this feeling you get walking those alleys: time stacking up, old and new mashed together.

I still think about drifting across Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace—the dragon boat ride is only in warmer months but we lucked out with clear skies and sunlight bouncing off water lilies. Our group got quiet for a bit there; maybe everyone was just tired or maybe it was one of those moments where you realize you’re somewhere far from home for real reasons you can’t always explain.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tian'anmen, Forbidden City, Great Wall

• Visit Tian'anmen Square
• Tour Forbidden City for 1.5-2 hours
• Drive 1.5 hours to Mutianyu Great Wall
• Ascend Great Wall by cable car
• Hike Golden Route on Great Wall
• Descend Great Wall by cable car

Day 2 — Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Hutong

• Visit Summer Palace and take dragon boat
• Walk along Summer Palace long corridor
• Tour Temple of Heaven highlights
• Explore Dongjiaominxiang Hutong alley

Top questions

How long does it take to reach Mutianyu Great Wall from Beijing?

It takes about 1.5 hours to drive from downtown Beijing to Mutianyu Great Wall.

Is hotel pickup included for this Beijing tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included within Beijing’s 4th Ring Zone.

Are entrance tickets included for all attractions?

Yes, admission tickets for Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven are included.

Is lunch provided during this two-day tour?

No lunch is specified; bottled water is included but meals are not mentioned in the inclusions.

Can I use a cable car or toboggan at Mutianyu Great Wall?

You can choose cable car or toboggan rides at Mutianyu but these are not included—you pay yourself at the entrance.

What should I wear or bring for this tour?

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as there is quite a bit of walking involved.

How much walking is involved in the Forbidden City visit?

The walk inside Forbidden City covers about 2 kilometers and takes around 1.5–2 hours; it’s graded moderate.

Will I have an English-speaking guide?

Yes, your tour includes a professional English-speaking guide throughout both days.

What’s included

Your two days include hotel pickup and drop-off within central Beijing (the 4th Ring Zone), entry fees for every major site—Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven—a knowledgeable English-speaking guide who keeps things lively (and answers every odd question), plus bottled water along the way so you’re not parched while exploring all those palaces and alleys.