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Activity Beijing, China

Beijing Private Tour:Forbidden City&Badaling Great Wall Fast Pass

5.0 (10 reviews) 8–9 hours Free cancellation Private tour
Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Beijing Private Tour:Forbidden City&Badaling Great Wall Fast Pass

About this activity

Skip the crowds and stress on this private day tour of Beijing’s two UNESCO masterpieces—with Badaling Great Wall VIP access as the unbeatable highlight: our exclusive shuttle drops you directly at the cable car entrance, cutting out endless lines for a seamless ride up to sweeping mountain views that will take your breath away.

Then, delve into the heart of imperial Beijing: start at Tian’anmen Square, where your personal guide weaves vivid stories behind its iconic landmarks, bringing centuries of history to life. Glide into the Forbidden City next, wandering its gilded halls and secret corners with insider insights you won’t find in any guidebook.

With a dedicated driver managing all logistics and a guide tailoring every moment to your pace, this isn’t just sightseeing—it’s an exclusive pass to Beijing’s soul, crafted for travelers who refuse to waste a single minute on queues.

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At a glance

Duration
8–9 hours
Confirmation
Instant confirmation
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group
Your group only
People per booking
1–15
Guide
Chinese, English
Operated by
Discover Beijing Tours

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (4–10 years) · Adults (11–90 years)

What is included

Included

  • Included: Entrance fee+Cable car round trip at Badaling Great Wall
  • Included: English-speaking tour guide
  • Included: Bottled water
  • Included: Lunch
  • Included: Cable car round trip at Badaling
  • Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off(For hotels within the 4th ring road of Beijing city)
  • Included: Transport by private vehicle

Not included

  • Not included: Gratuities
  • Not included: Additional fee inside the Forbidden city to visit extra museums(not visited in this tour)

Itinerary

  1. Tiananmen Square

    one hour Admission included

    Your private guide and driver greet you at your city hotel, setting the tone for a day of effortless exploration across two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

    First, you’ll head to Tian’anmen Square—one of the world’s largest public squares, where history unfolds at every turn. Stand before the Monument to the People’s Heroes, gaze up at the Tian’anmen Rostrum, and soak in the grandeur of the National Museum’s facade. Your guide will share little-known anecdotes about the square’s role in pivotal moments, from imperial processions to modern milestones, making the vast space feel intimate and alive.

  2. Meridian Gate (Wu Men)

    Passing by

    From there, you’ll pass through the iconic Meridian Gate—the grand southern entrance of the Forbidden City—and step into a 600-year-old imperial wonder.

  3. The Palace Museum

    one hour Admission included

    This sprawling palace complex, once the heart of China’s imperial power, boasts an astonishing 9,999 rooms (a number rooted in ancient beliefs, as 10,000 was deemed reserved for the heavens), each telling tales of dynastic grandeur, royal rituals, and centuries of history. As you cross the threshold, you’ll leave the bustle of the modern city behind and step into a world of red walls, golden-tiled roofs, and meticulously preserved courtyards—all testaments to the opulence and architectural genius of China’s Ming and Qing dynasties.

  4. Hall of Great Harmony (Taihe Dian)

    30 min Admission included

    Let your guide lead you along the Forbidden City’s central axis: Marvel at the Hall of Supreme Harmony—its golden tiles glinting, the imperial venue where emperors hosted grand ceremonies and held court; pause at the Hall of Central Harmony, a refined gem of traditional architecture where emperors prepared for rituals; and explore the Hall of Preserving Harmony, adorned with intricate dragon carvings, once the site of royal banquets and imperial exams.

  5. Palace of Heavenly Purity

    30 min Admission included

    Then continue to explore the imperial living quarters—where emperors and empresses resided: Visit the Hall of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Gong), once the Ming and early Qing emperors’ bedroom and a space for handling daily state affairs; step into the Hall of Union (Jiaotai Dian), a ceremonial hub that stored imperial seals and hosted empresses’ birthday celebrations; and see the Hall of Earthly Tranquillity (Kunning Gong), originally the empress’ bedroom and later used as a ritual site for imperial sacrifices.

  6. The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum

    10 min Admission included

    Step off the main thoroughfare to uncover hidden treasures like the serene Imperial Garden—where ancient cypress trees stand sentinel beside marble pavilions—and let your guide unravel the secrets of royal life: from the grandeur of imperial rituals to the intimate tales of concubines and eunuchs.

  7. The Great Wall at Badaling

    2 hours Admission included

    After lunch, journey to the Badaling Great Wall, the most iconic section of this 2,000-year-old wonder. Here, our exclusive VIP access shines: skip the chaotic shuttle lines with a private transfer that drops you directly at the cable car’s front door. No waiting—step right onto the cable car for a swift ascent to the wall’s crest. Once atop, walk along the weathered battlements, where your guide points out strategic watchtowers, arrow slits&the dramatic landscape of rolling hills stretching to the horizon. Learn how this colossal structure defended ancient China, and capture photos with unobstructed views that most visitors miss amid the crowds.

    As the day winds down, your driver navigates smoothly back to your hotel, ensuring you arrive with memories of 2 extraordinary sites—each a masterpiece of human ingenuity—experienced through the insights of your private guide. This isn’t just a tour; it’s a curated journey through time, designed to let you savor every detail without the rush.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

  • Youbo Member Selected Hotel
  • Sunflower Hotel
  • Yuanchang Hotel
  • Yuhui Hotel
  • Wancheng Huafu International Hotel
  • Xiudong Hostel
  • Wuyulong Hotel (Beijing Tiantan South Gate)
  • Xiyanhe Sixth Hotel
  • Tianyou Hotel
  • Yahua Hotel
  • Hi Inn Beijing Guomao Jiulongshan Subway Station
  • Beijing Yunjing Mingyi Hotel (Forbidden City Branch)

and 2,302 more pickup points

We pick you up from your hotel within the 4th ring road of Beijing city, please provide the hotel details when make booking. If your hotel is out of the 4th ring road of Beijing city, may have extra cost.

Using your ticket

  • Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
  • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel You get back
At least one day before 100%
Less than a day before 0%
  • The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking

  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required

  • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel

  • Chinese citizens (including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) need to book this tour 7 days in advance. By regulation, please submit Chinese name & ID number when reserving and present the ID on the tour day to join the group

  • Security checks at Tiananmen Square are strict. If waiting exceeds 1 hour, consider an alternative: taking a bus past the square. Sweltering heat risks heat-related illnesses.

  • Tiananmen Square may close unannounced due to government activities, in which case it will be skipped. No refunds as the square is free

Traveller ratings

5.0 out of 5 · 10 reviews
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Beijing Private Tour:Forbidden City&Badaling Great Wall Fast Pass

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