Beijing: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Mutianyu Great Wall Day Trip

Walk ancient halls climb mutianyu great wall taste beijing flavors

You’ll walk Beijing’s legendary squares and palaces with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story, then ride up to Mutianyu Great Wall for quiet views far from city crowds. Expect real Beijing food for lunch and easy hotel pickup, plus moments that linger longer than any photo.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Tiananmen Square40m
2. Chairman Mao Memorial Hallpass by
3. Great Hall of the Peoplepass by
4. Forbidden City2h · entry included
5. Meridian Gatepass by
6. Imperial Garden of the Palace Museum30m · entry included
7. Mutianyu Great Wall2h · entry included

Beijing highlights: Tiananmen, Forbidden City, Great Wall

• Meet guide and driver at hotel
• Visit Tiananmen Square and surroundings
• Walk to Forbidden City entrance
• Tour Forbidden City highlights
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Drive to Mutianyu Great Wall
• Take cable car up Great Wall
• Hike Great Wall for two hours
• Take cable car down Great Wall
• Return to hotel

The experience

We met our guide in the hotel lobby. She waved a little red flag so we wouldn’t miss her. First stop was Tiananmen Square, which is honestly bigger than I expected. There’s this early morning hush over the place, even with all the crowds. Our guide, Li, told us about the buildings lining Chang’an Avenue (I tried to say “Chang’an” right, Li laughed and said I sounded like her nephew). We passed by Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum but didn’t go inside. The air smelled faintly of roasted chestnuts from a nearby cart. I kept glancing up at those huge portraits. It’s a lot to take in before coffee.

Walking through the Meridian Gate into the Forbidden City felt surreal: like stepping onto a movie set but realer somehow. The colors are faded in places but still bold, especially those red doors with gold knobs. Li pointed out where emperors used to hold court and shared some gossip about one who snuck out disguised as a commoner (apparently not very convincing). It’s massive, 9999 rooms or something wild like that? My feet were already protesting by the time we hit the Imperial Garden, but I didn’t want to miss anything. There was this sweet scent from some kind of flowering tree. Wish I’d asked what it was.

Lunch was at a local spot just outside the city walls. Nothing fancy but definitely not tourist food. Noodles with vinegar sauce and these dumplings that were so hot inside I nearly burned my tongue (worth it though). After that we drove out toward Mutianyu Great Wall, which took about an hour and a half. The city faded into fields pretty quickly. I dozed off for part of it. When we got there, we took the cable car up (thank god, hiking up looked brutal), and suddenly you’re just on top of this ancient stone spine winding over green hills. It wasn’t crowded at all, which surprised me.

I tried to imagine soldiers standing guard here centuries ago. The stones underfoot are uneven and cool even in afternoon sun. We hiked for maybe two hours: sometimes quiet except for birdsong and our own footsteps echoing between watchtowers. On the way down we took the cable car again (you can take a toboggan if you want, next time maybe). Back in Beijing by evening, tired but sort of wired from everything we’d seen. There’s something about seeing all those layers of history up close that sticks with you after you leave.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Beijing, entry tickets to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and Mutianyu Great Wall (with round-trip cable car rides), plus bottled water along the way and lunch at a local restaurant before returning comfortably by private car or van in the evening.

Options for this experience

3 options

All-inclusive private tourUp to 30 per booking · Guide in English · 07:00, 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30Includes tickets, lunch, a guide, a driver, pickup and drop-off at downtown hotels, and a round-trip cable car or chairlift with a toboggan descent. Duration is 9 hours, depending on traffic; it may run longer if traffic is very heavy. Note: the toboggan is not available to those over 60. There are two independent cable way companies, and you may choose one or the other. Pickup is included.

Group meeting at the Grand HotelGuide in English · 07:40Around 12 people. There is no need to give us your hotel details, as we do not offer hotel pickup or drop-off. Meet at the Grand Hotel Beijing at around 7:40 am. By taxi: 35 East Chang'an Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing. By metro: Line 1 or Line 8, Wangfujing Station, Exit C (Southwest). Duration is 11 hours. Includes tickets, lunch, a guide, a driver, and a round-trip Great Wall cable car or toboggan. Important notice: please book carefully if you have a train, flight, or other arrangements in the evening.

Group tour with pickup from your hotelUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 07:00Group of around 12 guests. Includes pickup and drop-off at your downtown hotel, tickets, lunch, a guide, a driver, and a round-trip Great Wall cable car. Duration is 11 hours, which may vary slightly depending on traffic. Pickup time is between 7:00 and 7:30 am, based on your hotel. Premium mini group tour: offered at a better price, with a friendly group where you can meet fellow travelers. Important notice: please book carefully if you have a train, flight, or other arrangements in the evening. Pickup is included.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 08:30

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Lily's Tour Company

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).

How long does this Beijing day trip last?

The tour lasts a full day, including travel time between sites and lunch.

Is hotel pickup included in this tour?

Yes, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Beijing.

Which section of the Great Wall do we visit?

You’ll visit Mutianyu Great Wall, known for being less crowded.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes, entrance fees for all attractions are included in your booking.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

Lunch at a local restaurant is included during your day trip.

Do I need to bring my passport?

A valid passport is required on the day of travel for entry into certain sites.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

The transportation options are wheelchair accessible. Check ahead for site specifics.