Beijing Highlights: Mutianyu Great Wall Tour + Forbidden City or Summer Palace

Embark on a journey through China's imperial history with this all-day adventure that highlights some of the most renowned landmarks in Beijing. You will discover the majestic Forbidden City and the breathtaking Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China.

Travel Options

When making your reservation, you can select from the following options:

Visit to Mutianyu Great Wall + Forbidden City (9.5 hours)

Our meeting point will be at Exit C of Jinyu Hutong metro station, where we will begin our exploration of China's rich heritage. Are you ready to uncover two of Beijing’s principal attractions in one thrilling day?

Our first stop will be the Forbidden City, which stands as the largest and best-preserved imperial palace complex in the country. This expansive palace served as a residence to 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

You'll experience a 3-hour guided exploration where we will traverse through magnificent halls and serene courtyards, uncovering tales of emperors, court life, and the pivotal dynasties that influenced the nation’s past.

Next, we will make our way to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, a journey of around 1.5 hours. Along this route, your guide will provide valuable information regarding this monumental structure and suggest ways to enhance your visit.

After collecting tickets at the Visitor Center, you will be transported via shuttle bus to the entrance. Here, you can enjoy approximately 3.5 hours of free time to wander through Mutianyu at your leisure. Nestled among pine and cypress forests, this beautifully restored section of the wall offers opportunities to stroll between watchtowers, ascend to higher vantage points for panoramic views, and opt for a cable car ride if you desire. You will also have the chance to enjoy lunch at one of the nearby eateries.

Once your visit concludes, we will reconvene at the Visitor Center for our return trip to Beijing, concluding the tour near the Olympic Park.

Visit to Mutianyu Great Wall + Summer Palace (10 hours)

For this selection, we will gather at Exit E of Dongsi metro station. The travel time to Mutianyu will be approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, during which we’ll share fascinating details about the area's history. After acquiring tickets and taking the shuttle to the entrance, you will have 4 hours of freedom to explore this historic section of the wall, which has been standing for over 600 years.

From the watchtowers, you can savor breathtaking views of distant mountains and forests. There will also be an opportunity for lunch at a nearby restaurant before we head back to Beijing.

In the afternoon, we will proceed to the Summer Palace, a crowning achievement in Chinese landscape architecture. Enjoy a 3-hour guided tour where we will check out its splendid pavilions, artistically painted corridors, and tranquil lakes. You will hear stories of the Qing dynasty and envision Empress Cixi at the iconic Marble Boat on Kunming Lake. Should you choose, you may also take a boat ride on the lake at your own expense.

Ultimately, we will conclude our journey at the Beijing Olympic Park.

Mutianyu Great Wall + Summer Palace + Old Summer Palace (10 hours)

This option follows a similar itinerary to the previous one, but it includes a segment dedicated to the Old Summer Palace.

The palace complex, commissioned by Emperor Qianlong, showcased elements of French and Italian architectural styles. Its purpose was to emulate European palaces, which were adorned with imported furniture. Today, remnants of the gardens, including walkable mazes, can still be enjoyed.

Many of these palatial structures were destroyed by French and British forces during the Second Opium War (1860–1862), and today, the ruins of the Old Summer Palace can be witnessed alongside a vast garden of lakes, trees, and pathways.

Mutianyu Great Wall + Summer Palace + Lunch (10.5 hours)

For this itinerary, we will convene at Exit B1 of the Dongzhimen metro station. Following a 1.5-hour drive, we will reach Mutianyu, allowing 4 hours of free time to explore the wall and soak in the stunning views.

After your adventure, enjoy a buffet lunch at the Great Wall View Restaurant, where you can savor local dishes while overlooking the wall. Options include dumplings and various rice specialties.

In the afternoon, we will progress to the Summer Palace. You will experience a 2-hour guided tour filled with pleasant walks along Kunming Lake and crossing the celebrated Seventeen-Arch Bridge, amidst the elegance of the Qing imperial gardens.

The tour will conclude at the Olympic Park, where photography opportunities abound around the famous Bird's Nest Stadium and the Water Cube.

Children Under 6

Children under 6 are welcome to join the tour without charge, although they must sit on an adult’s lap on the bus as they will not have an assigned seat.

Additional Information

For bookings made fewer than 3 days in advance, securing tickets for the Forbidden City in advance may not be feasible, meaning you might need to queue upon arrival. We recommend getting to the meeting point early to facilitate your entry.

Great Wall Day Trip

If your interest lies solely with this remarkable structure, we suggest exploring the details of this Great Wall of China tour from Beijing separately.

Forbidden City Guided Tour

Alternatively, if you wish to remain within the city and forgo the Great Wall, consider this guided tour of the Forbidden City exclusively.