Beijing: Forbidden City Treasures & Badaling Wall Ruins Tour

Summary

Walk imperial halls see rare treasures then climb ancient wall stones

You’ll step inside Beijing’s Forbidden City with special access to its Treasure Gallery and Clock Exhibition Hall, then climb Jingshan Hill for sweeping city views before tasting real Peking duck at lunch. In the afternoon, walk along quiet Great Wall ruins at Badaling with your local guide — moments that linger long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you step through a gate and suddenly everything’s quieter? That’s how it started for us in the Forbidden City. Our guide, Mrs. Zhang, waved us past the crowds into this side hall with glass cases full of jade and gold — the Treasure Gallery. I’m not sure what I expected, but the air smelled faintly of old wood and something floral, maybe incense. She pointed out a tiny clock shaped like a ship (from the Clock Exhibition Hall), and I tried to imagine an emperor actually winding it up. The scale of everything is just… different here. We wandered through these red-walled courtyards while Mrs. Zhang told stories about empresses hiding love notes in their sleeves — she said her grandmother used to tell her those tales as a kid.

Afterwards we climbed Jingshan Hill — honestly, my legs were already tired but she promised the view was worth it. She was right; you can see all of Beijing from up there, roofs stretching out forever under this pale sky. I heard someone playing an erhu somewhere below, just two notes over and over. Lunch was next: Peking duck carved right at our table (I definitely got more sauce on my hands than on the pancake). The chef showed me how to fold it “Beijing style” but mine looked more like a dumpling gone wrong — everyone laughed, including me.

The afternoon took us out to Badaling, but not the busy part — we went to the Great Wall ruins section where grass grows between broken stones and you can hear wind instead of tour groups. It felt rawer somehow, like you could almost sense how long this wall has been holding up against time. Mrs. Zhang let us walk ahead for a bit; I stopped to run my hand along one of the rough bricks and thought about all the people who’d done that before me. There wasn’t much talking on the way back to Beijing — everyone just looking out at fields rolling by, lost in their own thoughts I guess.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Forbidden City and Great Wall Ruins

• Enter Forbidden City
• See Treasure Gallery and Clock Exhibition
• View Nine Dragon Screen and Palace Gates
• Climb Jingshan Hill for city views
• Walk Ruins of Great Wall at Badaling
• Enjoy Peking Duck banquet lunch

Top questions

How long does this Forbidden City & Great Wall tour take?

This is a full-day tour starting around 8:30AM and returning in the evening.

Is hotel pickup included for this Beijing day trip?

Yes, pickup is included for hotels within Beijing’s 4th Ring Road area.

What makes the Badaling Great Wall ruins different?

This section is less crowded and features original ruined parts of the wall for a more authentic experience.

Do we visit special areas inside the Forbidden City?

Yes, you get access to both the Treasure Gallery and Clock Exhibition Hall with your guide.

Is lunch provided during this tour?

Yes, a traditional Beijing Roast Duck banquet is included for lunch.

Are entrance fees covered in this tour price?

All admission tickets are included in your booking.

Can infants join this tour?

Infants aged 2 and under can join free if they sit on an adult’s lap.

How do I join if my hotel is outside central Beijing?

If your hotel is outside the 4th Ring Road, meet at Prime Hotel by 8:30AM.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from central Beijing hotels or meeting point at Prime Hotel if needed, all entry tickets for both Forbidden City special exhibitions and Great Wall ruins at Badaling, transport by air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide throughout, plus a proper Beijing Roast Duck banquet for lunch before heading back in the evening.