Beijing Great Wall Mutianyu & Forbidden City Small Group Tour

Summary

Walk through imperial Beijing then hike quiet stretches of the wall

You’ll step into Beijing’s history at Tiananmen Square and walk through hidden corners of the Forbidden City with a local guide who brings old stories to life. After lunch, ride up to Mutianyu for a peaceful Great Wall hike — far from big crowds — then coast down by toboggan if you want. It’s not just sightseeing; it’s feeling part of something bigger for a day.

What’s the experience like?

I thought I knew what to expect from Beijing — crowds, noise, maybe a little chaos — but stepping out onto Tiananmen Square that morning, it was just this wide hush broken by distant flag-raising music and the shuffle of early commuters. Our guide, Li, waved us over with a grin and started pointing out details I’d never have noticed: the way old men fold their hands behind their backs as they walk, the faint smell of roasted chestnuts from a vendor somewhere nearby. It felt like we were being let in on something.

The Forbidden City is huge. I mean, you read about it, but walking those stone courtyards with Li telling stories about emperors who never left these walls — it’s different. She showed us where the concubines’ quarters used to be (I tried to say “Zhen Huan” in Mandarin; she laughed and said my accent made it sound like “pillow”). There’s this moment when you look up at those red gates and realize how many feet have passed here before yours. My legs were already feeling it after two hours, but somehow I didn’t mind.

After lunch (nothing fancy — just some baozi from a roadside stall), we drove out to Mutianyu for our Great Wall hike. The air changed: pine trees everywhere, cooler breeze, less city grit. Most tours go to Badaling but Mutianyu was quieter; we barely saw anyone else past tower 14. I took the cable car up (no shame) and walked along the wall’s uneven stones while Li pointed out which parts had been rebuilt and which were original Ming dynasty brickwork. My shoes got dusty and there was this one stretch where you could see mountains rolling off forever — I still think about that view sometimes.

We ended up taking the toboggan down (Li said it was “for kids,” but honestly? It was fun). By then my legs were jelly and my phone battery was dead, so I just watched the sun start dipping behind the hills on our drive back into Beijing. Not sure if it was exhaustion or something else, but there’s a kind of quiet that sticks with you after a day like that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Tiananmen, Forbidden City, Great Wall

• Visit Tiananmen Square
• Tour the Forbidden City
• Take cable car to Great Wall
• Hike Mutianyu Great Wall
• Descend Great Wall by cable car

Top questions

How long does the Beijing Great Wall Mutianyu & Forbidden City tour last?

The tour lasts a full day, starting around 8:00 AM and ending in the late afternoon or early evening.

Is hotel pickup included in this Beijing day trip?

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

Which section of the Great Wall does this tour visit?

This tour visits the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China.

Do I need to buy tickets for the cable car or toboggan at Mutianyu?

Cable car or toboggan tickets are not included; you can purchase them onsite at Mutianyu.

How much walking is involved in the Forbidden City part?

You’ll walk about 2 kilometers (1.5–2 hours) inside the Forbidden City; walks are moderate in difficulty.

Are entry fees included for both attractions?

Yes, admission tickets for both Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall are included in your tour price.

Is lunch provided during this Beijing group tour?

No formal lunch is included; you’ll have time for lunch on your own between activities.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for most fitness levels but not recommended for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within central Beijing, all entry fees for both Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall, bottled water throughout, an English-speaking local guide who shares stories along every stop, plus transport in a clean air-conditioned vehicle so you can just focus on exploring without worrying about logistics.