Beijing: Forbidden City & Badaling Great Wall Day Tour
Three UNESCO sites in one day: Beijing's imperial palaces and the Wall
You'll walk Tiananmen Square in the morning, spend roughly two hours inside the Forbidden City's palaces and courtyards with a guide, have lunch, then hike the Badaling section of the Great Wall in the afternoon. Hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance fees, and an English-speaking guide are included. The whole day runs 10 to 11 hours.
Step-by-step itinerary
- Tiananmen Square 1h
- Forbidden City Entry included 3h
- Great Wall at Badaling Entry included 3h
Visit Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City
- Hotel pickup by guide
- Walk around Tiananmen Square
- Photo stop at landmark buildings
- Tour Forbidden City palaces
- Visit central axis and wings
- Travel to Badaling Great Wall
- Hike and take photos on Wall
- Return to hotel in Beijing
What’s included
Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned car with a driver, entrance fees to both the Forbidden City and Badaling Great Wall, an English-speaking guide throughout the tour, and complimentary bottled water. Lunch is not included but your guide will point you toward options during the break.
Times
- Every day 08:00 08:30 09:00
Information
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
Operated by Travel China Guide
The experience
The scale of the Forbidden City hits you the moment you step through the first gate. Your guide meets you at your hotel lobby in the morning, and the air-conditioned car takes you straight to Tiananmen Square, where you'll walk past the Monument to the People's Heroes and the Great Hall of the People before heading into the palace complex itself. What surprises most people is how vast it actually is. 9,999 rooms spread across courtyards and pavilions, and you're moving through the ones that mattered: the central axis where emperors ruled for nearly 550 years, the side chambers where daily life happened. Your guide walks you through the architecture and the history without rushing, pointing out details in the tilework and the way the buildings face each other.
After about an hour and a half inside the Forbidden City, you'll break for lunch, then head north to Badaling. The drive takes roughly an hour depending on traffic, and when you arrive at the Great Wall, the first thing you notice is the steepness. This section is one of the best-preserved stretches of the ancient defense system, and it's built on a ridge that climbs sharply in both directions. You're not doing a full hike. The tour gives you time to walk the Wall itself, take photos from the highest points you can reach, and feel the weight of the stone beneath your feet. The view back toward Beijing on a clear day is the kind of thing you don't forget.
Your guide and driver handle all the logistics: they've already got your entrance tickets sorted, they know which routes move fastest through the crowds, and they're there to answer questions about what you're seeing. The car is comfortable, the water is complimentary, and at the end of the day they drop you back at your hotel. It's a full day (you're moving between three major sites), but it's structured so you're not standing in lines or figuring out transport yourself.
Is this one for you?Pick this tour if you want Beijing's three most important sites in a single day without arranging transport, buying tickets separately, or navigating crowds alone: the fixed itinerary and guide handle all three, which is what makes a full imperial and Wall experience fit into one visit.
Traveler reviews
Compare the 12 alternatives
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.
How long do you spend at each site?
Tiananmen Square is a morning walk of about 30 minutes. The Forbidden City takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours with your guide. Badaling Great Wall gives you time to hike and photograph, typically 2 to 3 hours depending on your pace.
Is lunch included?
Lunch is not mentioned as included in the tour. You'll have a break after the Forbidden City, and your guide can recommend nearby restaurants, but you'll need to arrange and pay for your meal separately.
What's the best time of year to do this tour?
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are ideal: mild weather and clearer skies. Summer is hot and crowded. Winter can be cold, though the Wall is less busy.
Do I need to bring anything special?
Comfortable walking shoes are essential, especially for the Great Wall. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a light jacket even in warm months. The Wall is exposed. Your passport or ID matching your booking name is required for entry to both sites.
Is the Great Wall hike difficult?
The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. Badaling is one of the most accessible sections of the Wall, but it does have steep sections and uneven stone steps. You can walk at your own pace and rest as needed.
What if I lose my ticket or passport?
You must carry the same identification document you provided at booking. The scenic areas will refuse entry without it. Keep your entrance tickets safe. If lost, contact your guide immediately.
Beijing: Forbidden City & Badaling Great Wall Day Tour
9h–10h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 199 per person