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

Immerse yourself in the imperial heritage of China with this full-day adventure, showcasing some of the most emblematic sites in Beijing. You will have the opportunity to admire the majestic Forbidden City and the stunning landscapes of the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China.

Tour Options

When making your reservation, you can select between the following choices:

Mutianyu Great Wall + Forbidden City (9.5 hours)

Our journey begins at Exit C of Jinyu Hutong metro station. Are you ready to uncover two of Beijing's most remarkable landmarks in just one day?

First on our itinerary is the Forbidden City, the largest and most well-preserved imperial palace complex in the nation. For hundred of years, this expansive residence was occupied by 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Join us for a 3-hour guided tour as we traverse grand halls and serene courtyards, learning about the emperors’ lives and the dynasties that shaped China's rich history.

Next, we will travel approximately 1.5 hours to the Mutianyu Great Wall. On the way, your guide will share fascinating details about this architectural wonder and offer advice for maximizing your visit.

At the Visitor Center, you'll collect your tickets and take the shuttle bus to the entrance. You will have around 3.5 hours of leisure time to wander through Mutianyu at your own rhythm. Nestled in pine and cypress forests, this beautifully restored segment of the wall encourages you to stroll between watchtowers and ascend to higher vantage points for breathtaking views; a cable car option is also available should you prefer. Additionally, there will be time to enjoy a meal at one of the local restaurants.

After your exploration, we will reconvene at the Visitor Center before returning to Beijing, concluding the tour near the Olympic Park.

Mutianyu Great Wall + Summer Palace (10 hours)

In this alternative option, we will gather at Exit B of Hepingxigiao metro station. After approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes of travel, we will reach Mutianyu. Following ticket collection and shuttle transfer to the entrance, you are granted 4 hours of free time to discover this historic segment of the wall, which has stood for over 600 years.

From the watchtowers, you can take in sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and lush forests. There will also be an opportunity to dine at a nearby restaurant before we journey back to Beijing.

In the afternoon, we'll proceed to the Summer Palace, an exquisite representation of Chinese landscape artistry. During a 3-hour guided tour, we will visit its charming pavilions, decorated corridors, and serene lakes. You'll learn tales of the Qing dynasty and envision Empress Cixi at the Marble Boat on Kunming Lake. Should you desire, you may take a boat ride on the lake at your own cost.

Finally, we'll head to the Beijing Olympic Park, where the tour will conclude.

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

For this choice, we’ll convene at Exit B1 of the Dongzhimen metro station. After a drive of 1.5 hours, we’ll reach Mutianyu, where you will enjoy 4 hours of free time to explore the wall and soak in the stunning scenery.

Post-exploration, a buffet lunch at the Great Wall View Restaurant awaits, allowing you to savor local specialties such as dumplings and rice dishes while enjoying views of the wall.

As the afternoon unfolds, we’ll visit the Summer Palace. During a 2-hour guided tour, we will walk along Kunming Lake and cross the renowned Seventeen-Arch Bridge, surrounded by the exquisite beauty of the Qing imperial gardens.

The tour will conclude at the Olympic Park, providing an opportunity to capture images of the iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium and the Water Cube.

Children Under 6

Children under the age of 6 may participate in the tour at no cost, but they must sit on an adult’s lap during the bus ride, as their own seats will not be provided.

Additional Info

Please note that if bookings are made less than 3 days in advance, we may not be able to guarantee tickets for the Forbidden City ahead of time, which could require you to queue at the entrance. To streamline your experience, we suggest arriving early at the designated meeting point.

Great Wall Day Trip

For those wishing to focus solely on this iconic structure, we suggest looking into this specialized Great Wall of China tour from Beijing for further details.

Forbidden City Guided Tour

If your preference leans towards exploring the city and omitting the Great Wall, consider this exclusive guided tour of the Forbidden City instead.