Beijing · GUIDED

Top 15 Guided Tours in Beijing

75 tours  ·  from $3 a head

Beijing is a city of early starts and long transfers. These 15 guided tours are the ones worth giving a half-day to, priced and timed.

MuBus: Mutianyu Great Wall ENG/ESP/RUS Guided Bus Tour - Lunch can make the middle of the day easier
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MuBus: Mutianyu Great Wall ENG/ESP/RUS Guided Bus Tour

1.MuBus: Mutianyu Great Wall ENG/ESP/RUS Guided Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,361 reviews · from $20Our pick

Ride from Dongzhimen to Mutianyu with an English, Spanish, or Russian-speaking guide on the bus, then explore the Wall at your own pace. You get about five and a half hours on site, with entrance and internal shuttle included. Guides such as Taka lead an optional 5-kilometer hike; cable cars, toboggans, and lunch cost extra unless you select an upgrade.

“Good tour, well explained. Two ways to do it: East and West side. If you wanted to do both, might be short for a time. We chose the West side with the cable car and was very happy with the overall experince.”

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Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking (Optional: guide service) - The outer court puts imperial ceremony on display
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Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking (Optional: guide service)

2.Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking (Optional: guide service)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,263 reviews · from $9

Reserve a dated Forbidden City ticket in Beijing, then enter with your passport once the booking is confirmed. Choose morning or afternoon entry, and consider adding a guide: guides such as Summer, Bobo, Marco, and Maggie bring the Ming and Qing palaces to life. Allow three to four hours for the main route, more if you want to linger.

“Entrance ticket is not that easy (almost impossible) to get by our own. Fortunately this agency, cheapest found, does it for us... of course with some fees. And they apply senior>60y fare ! Let's see, official fare for senior is abt 3€. I have paid them 6,8€... costing some 3€ to avoid headache ? Bookable months in advance ? It deserves !”

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Forbidden City&T-Square Small GroupTours w/ ticket(Eng/Esp Guide) - Tiananmen Square: context before the palace
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Forbidden City&T-Square Small GroupTours w/ ticket(Eng/Esp Guide)

3.Forbidden City&T-Square Small GroupTours w/ ticket(Eng/Esp Guide)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 995 reviews · from $11

This 4.5-hour Beijing tour pairs Tiananmen Square with the Forbidden City and its Treasure Gallery, with admission and an English-speaking guide included. Groups are capped at 15. Guides such as Vanessa, Snow, Linda, and Icy are praised for clear stories and helpful pacing. Expect several hours of walking, and allow some flexibility in your schedule.

“Amazing tour. Vanessa very knowledgeable, explained in details the history of the place. I recommend this tour to everyone.”

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Beijing: Summer Palace Entry Ticket and Optional Guided Tour - The boat from Ziyu Bay Pier
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Beijing: Summer Palace Entry Ticket and Optional Guided Tour

4.Summer Palace Entry Ticket and Optional Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 810 reviews · 3 hours - 1 day · from $12

Choose a self-guided ticket, a boat-and-entry package, or a guided group or private tour. Options pair the Summer Palace with places such as the Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, or Panda House. Guides have included Joy, Yang, Gary, and Leo, though assignments vary.

“Hassle free way to get tickets quickly and efficiently! Very pleased with the useful information provided to help us plan our day. The Summer Palace is beautiful- well with visiting - and we received excellent service getting tickets”

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Beijing: Hidden Gems Guided Food Tour with Beer and Tastings - Copper-pot hotpot with a bell-tower view
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Beijing: Hidden Gems Guided Food Tour with Beer and Tastings

5.Hidden Gems Guided Food Tour with Beer and Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 306 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $75

Walk 2.5 km through Beijing’s hutongs with an English-speaking guide, stopping at four local eateries for hotpot, noodles, spring pancakes, and a rare Muslim specialty. The 3.5-hour evening tour includes a pint of local craft beer, plus beer and sodas. Guides have included Janice, Joe, Tony, and Yoyo.

“The tour was amazing and tony our guide is a fcking legend ^^”

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Forbidden City Admission Ticket - With Guide Option - Follow the ceremonial axis through the main halls
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Forbidden City Admission Ticket – With Guide Option

6.Forbidden City Admission Ticket – With Guide Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 151 reviews · from $9

This Beijing admission booking links your entry to your passport, which you show at the Meridian Gate instead of presenting a paper ticket. Explore the Forbidden City’s ceremonial halls, imperial residences, garden, and Palace Museum collection at your own pace. The ticket-only option includes no guide or transport, so check which option you select before booking.

“Without help we would have not been able to see Forbidden city. Very thankful for their help. It was one of the most wonderful experiences of our lives.”

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2-Day Beijing Highlights Small-Group Guided Tour - Temple of Heaven and its park grounds
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2-Day Beijing Highlights Small-Group Guided Tour

7.2-Day Beijing Highlights Small-Group Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 120 reviews · from $179

This two-day Beijing tour pairs the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Jingshan Park and Temple of Heaven with an early visit to Mutianyu and the Summer Palace. Expect a group of no more than nine, hotel transfers within the second ring road, tickets, two lunches and English-speaking guides such as Keith, David, Mike or Susie. An Acrobat Show is an optional upgrade.

“David our tour guide has huge heart an knowledge. He was a great help during our tour. This tour was a once in a lifetime experiece, and I really enjoyed it. Once again, without David, this tour would be less, however everything was so pretty. Thank you for the chance to being with you.”

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Mutianyu Great Wall Private Layover Guided Tour - The airport transfer: convenience with a firm clock
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Mutianyu Great Wall Private Layover Guided Tour

8.Mutianyu Great Wall Private Layover Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 120 reviews · from $145

Travel from Beijing Capital Airport to Mutianyu in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed English-speaking guide and driver. You get Great Wall admission, bottled water, and about two and a half hours at the wall. Guides named Jade and Herby have been praised for attentive help, but leave ample time for immigration and your return flight.

“I had an amazing time visiting the Great Wall. It was also a special day as it was the first day of the Chinese New Year. Herby, my tour guide, picked me up at the airport at 7am sharp and drove me there. The wall was incredible and I only saRead more”

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Temple of Heaven Ticket with Optional Guide Service - From the East Gate to the main monuments
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Temple of Heaven Ticket with Optional Guide Service

9.Temple of Heaven Ticket with Optional Guide Service

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 120 reviews · from $8

Visit the Temple of Heaven independently with a prepaid ticket covering the park, Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, and Circular Mound Altar. Your QR code arrives by WhatsApp, usually one day before your visit. You can add a private guide, but the standard option includes no guide or transport. Organizer Li provides practical directions and entry instructions.

“Li was really helpful. Managed to make a quick and smooth booking and gave clear directions on how to get to the location and how to start the self-exploration journey! Would recommend!”

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Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service) - When a guide adds real value
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Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service)

10.Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 118 reviews · from $7

Choose a Summer Palace entry ticket, add a two-hour English-speaking guide, or select a package with private hotel transfers. The guide meets you at the East Gate, and names such as Jay, Lucy, Tony and Vivian have been praised for lively explanations. Allow more time than the one-to-four-hour estimate if you want to explore at an unhurried pace.

“Great place to visit. Tickets received on time. Very efficient service with no issues. Highly recommended if planning to visit by yourself”

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Mutianyu Great Wall & Forbidden City Private Layover Guided Tour - Mutianyu: two and a half hours on the wall
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Mutianyu Great Wall & Forbidden City Private Layover Guided Tour

11.Mutianyu Great Wall & Forbidden City Private Layover Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · from $180

Travel by air-conditioned private vehicle from your Beijing airport or hotel to Mutianyu Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City. An English-speaking guide and driver stay with your group, and admission to the wall and palace museum is included. Plan for 10 to 12 hours, plus time for airport immigration and security.

“If you have only one day for Beijing, and prefer flexible, personal service, this tour is highly recommended!”

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Beijing Layover Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall with English Speaking Guide - From PEK to the Great Wall
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Beijing Layover Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall with English Speaking Guide

12.Beijing Layover Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall with English Speaking Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $90

Meet your driver at Beijing Capital International Airport for a private, roughly five-hour trip to Mutianyu. Walk up to the Great Wall or save your energy for the wall itself with a cable car ride, at extra cost. Choose a guided or driver-only option, and arrange airport pickup and drop-off. Guides Lina and William have been praised, but your guide may differ.

“Tour went without a hitch. Tour guide was where he said he would be. Had plenty of time to see the Great Wall and back to catch flight. I would recommend to anyone who has a long long layover. Only negatives were the lineups to get 24 hour visa and the warm water.”

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Beijing: Temple of Heaven Guided Tour with Options or Ticket - From the East Gate to the Echo Wall
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Beijing: Temple of Heaven Guided Tour with Options or Ticket

13.Temple of Heaven Guided Tour with Options or Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 69 reviews · 2 - 8 hours · from $8

Visit the Temple of Heaven with a guide such as Tony, Angela or May, and learn how emperors prayed for good harvests. Choose a Temple-only visit or pair it with the Summer Palace, Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, hutongs or Tai Chi. Options run 2 to 8 hours, with private tours and a no-guide ticket also available.

“Amazing tour! And Gary was a great guide, with a lot of stories and cultural insights about China.”

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Beijing Temple of Heaven Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service) - The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest deserves your time
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Beijing Temple of Heaven Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service)

14.Beijing Temple of Heaven Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 65 reviews · from $8

Visit Beijing’s UNESCO-listed Temple of Heaven with a prepaid combination ticket, or add a private guide and, in selected packages, round-trip hotel transfers. The visit takes about two to three hours; guided tours meet at the East Gate. Guides such as Andy, Anson, Mina, and Mike have led history-focused visits, while ticket-only entry is a simple option if you prefer to explore at your own pace.

“The Temple of Heaven is an important cultural location in Beijing but it is the stories of Emperors who built and lived in it that bring it alive. My guide Andy was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the history of the Temple and the beautiful park that surrounds it.”

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Beijing Historic City Guided Walking Tour + Calligraphy Creation - What the guides bring to the walk
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Beijing Historic City Guided Walking Tour + Calligraphy Creation

15.Beijing Historic City Guided Walking Tour + Calligraphy Creation

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · from $5

Spend about 3.5 hours walking from Huguang Guild Hall through hutong lanes, Liulichang’s calligraphy and antiques shops, Yangmeizhu Byway, Dashilan and Qianmen. An English-speaking local guide leads the shared tour, which ends near Tiananmen Square without entering it. The booking fee is $5; a suggested tip of 160 to 200 RMB is extra.

“An amazing walking tour experience with Kris! The tour is super well organized and structured, she explained very well in each stop, with a great blend of history, culture, anecdotes, hidden gems and even food and drink tasting. 100% recommended! Can't wait for their walking tours in Shanghai!”

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