Beijing Great Wall & Forbidden City Mini Group Day Tour, No Shopping

Let’s start this Beijing small group tour package from the Tiananmen Square, the venue for major national ceremonies and celebrations. Take a walk on this large square that can accommodate one million people at a time, and shoot photos of the landmarks around, including the Tiananmen Tower, Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, and National Museum.

Go straight north, and we’ll come to the 600-year-old Forbidden City. Due to its immense popularity, please anticipate a substantial entry queue during peak season even with our securing reservations 7 days in advance. You are about to enter the world’s largest and most magnificent imperial palace, without any equal, dwarfing counterparts such as the Nymphenburg Palace of Munich, Royal Alcazar of Seville, Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, and the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Prepare to be astounded as you discover its sheer scale, which includes a remarkable total of 9,999 rooms! This reveals the concentration of power and extravagant life of Chinese feudal rulers, sustained by the continuous brutal exploitation of the common people.

With your veteran guide, probe into the essential palaces on the central axis and some special chambers on the two wings, including the highest-ranking Hall of Supreme Harmony, the inner living area for the harem, and the Imperial Garden for leisure and relaxation. When reaching the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the emperor’s primary residence, look up and notice the plaque of ‘Integrity and Brightness’ hanging high inside, which conceals a piece of secret lore - In 1723 AD, an emperor’s decision to abolish the primogeniture system ignited a fierce rivalry among the princes. To end the infighting, he devised a plan: the successor’s name would be sealed in a hidden box, placed behind the plaque. Only after the emperor's death was his will retrieved and announced, revealing the new emperor.

● Notes:
1. Tickets for the Forbidden City need to be booked online with passport names 7 days in advance and often sell out within seconds of release. To ensure your smooth entry, we strongly advise you to book this tour at least 8 days in advance. For ticket booking, please provide the exact passport information that matches the physical ID you’ll carry on the tour day. Otherwise, entry will be refused by the scenic area. We appreciate your understanding that this is a strict policy set by the Forbidden City, and no Beijing travel agency has an exception.
2. The Forbidden City visit does not include entry to its Treasure Gallery, the Gallery of Timepieces, or any temporary exhibitions.
3. If your travel plan falls on Mondays when the Forbidden City is closed, we will replace your visit to Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City with the Summer Palace, a renowned imperial garden.
4. To efficiently navigate the security checkpoints at Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City, especially during holidays, we strongly recommend you minimize your carry items. Carry only your passport, water, and a sunhat. Remember not to bring drones, selfie sticks, or flammable items such as sprays. If you are particularly sensitive to rigorous security check, we sincerely advise you to reconsider before booking. The security procedures and potential waiting times are beyond the control of any tour operator. Thank you for your understanding!

Afterward, your guide will accompany you in our air-conditioned vehicle for around 1.5 hours to the Mutianyu Great Wall, the longest and most beautiful section in Beijing. During the drive, besides having the guide share with you some historical facts and less-known titbits of the Great Wall of China, we’ll provide complimentary drinking water and light refreshments.

★ Why Do We Choose Mutianyu?
Among several sections of the Great Wall in Beijing, we’ve carefully selected Mutianyu for you, because it’s one of the foremost and well-preserved sections, featuring dense and distinctive watchtowers, and a core strategic pass used for command and combat. Compared with the well-known Badaling section, Mutianyu Great Wall is less crowed, more popular with international visitors, and features more primitive scenery and complete facilities.

Lunch today is not included, but don’t worry, as there are fast food chains like Burger King, Pizza Hut, and Subway at the foot of the Great Wall. Your guide will be glad to show you their exact locations. The Chinese buffet here is not recommended.

The Great Wall is really on the mountain! Seeing the Mutianyu winding along the steep ridges with your own eyes, you would now turn the scenes on postcards or in movies into reality, and the visual impact is unparalleled. The Great Wall stood as a crucial defensive barrier against northern nomadic tribes throughout its 2,200-year history. Even the reputedly invincible Genghis Khan (1162-1227 AD) struggled against this fortification. His grandson, Kublai Khan (1215-1294 AD), later breached the Wall, defeated the central Chinese Southern Song Dynasty in 1279 AD, launching the frenzied expansion of the Mongol Empire that is widely known. A century later, the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) reclaimed power. Ming Chinese Army analyzed previous gains and losses, rebuilt and fortified key sections of the Great Wall, including the Mutianyu you see today. This allowed them to finally defeat the Mongol Empire and completely destroy the then Mongol capital, Karakoram.

Let’s hike up the Mutianyu Great Wall. Follow your guide to ascend for about 30 minutes to reach Watchtower No. 10, from where the scenery becomes increasingly spectacular. Set your own pace and decide how many towers to climb based on your fitness level. We encourage younger, energetic hikers to challenge the full experience: a 2-hour round-trip hike from Watchtower No. 10 to the highest point on Watchtower No. 23. During the exciting hike, pay attention to the beacon towers on every key turn. How did they work in ancient times? When there was an invasion, soldiers would light fires and cannons on the towers to transmit information about enemies: one fire and one cannon signaled less than 100 enemies, three of each meant 1,000 to 5,000 enemies, and five indicated more than 10,000 attackers were approaching. Standing on the towers today, you can truly feel the echoes of history and snap stunning photos to memorize your Beijing day trips to Great Wall.

After that, let’s hop in the vehicle for another 1.5-hour ride back to downtown Beijing. Traffic congestion happens as we approach the late rush hour, and we appreciate your patience during this time.

Your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel, but we considerately offer a special stopover at Back Lake or Tobacco Pipe Lane, and you are encouraged to get off here and explore the old Hutong alleys and enjoy the vibrant nightlife on your own. If you choose to stay here, your guide will give you all the necessary tips and transportation advice for your easy return to the hotel later by yourself.

Thank you for joining our small group day trip to Mutianyu Great Wall and Forbidden City. Looking for more? Discover our other Beijing group tour packages to Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, and Summer Palace, for more insights into ancient royal life. Contact us to spark your travel ideas!

► FYI: What to Do in Hutong Area (at your own expense):
You can get a glimpse of the densely packed quadrangle courtyards lining the Tobacco Pipe Lane where locals have lived for generations, browse through curio studios and boutiques, or enjoy boating on the scenic Back Lake while basking in the dreamy sunset glow. Taste a bowl of yummy Noodles with Soybean Paste for dinner, and finally, when the evening lights come on, drop by a bar or cafe to enjoy a cozy moment over craft beer and live music, just as the locals do.