If you're docking at Tianjin, a private guided tour saves you the headache of solo travel arrangements and includes transfers - your operator picks you up, handles the logistics, and drops you back in time for the ship. The catalog shows mostly 2-day packages, which is realistic for fitting the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and a palace or two without rushing.

Check before you go, but cruise excursions typically hold spots until a week or two before departure. Given the variety here - you've got a solid mix of 2 and 3-day options - earlier bookings lock in your preferred dates and guide quality.

Round-trip transfers from the port are standard. Most tours throw in guided entry to major sites like the Great Wall and palaces. Some packages add lunch - confirm what meals and admissions are covered before you commit, as it varies by operator.

The catalog here is almost entirely Beijing-focused, which tells you where the real draw is. Tianjin has some colonial architecture and a tidier waterfront than it used to, but visitors book these tours to see Beijing - not to spend days in Tianjin itself.

With a cruise schedule to keep, private tours give you more breathing room and let you skip the group herding. They're pricier, but you're not stuck on a coach waiting for stragglers at every temple. Check before you go for group alternatives if budget is tight.

Spring and autumn (April-May, September-October) are ideal - Beijing's weather is mild and the crowds slightly thinner. Summer is hot and humid; winter is crisp but freezing, especially on the Wall. Check your cruise schedule and book accordingly.

Yes - the catalog includes a 2-day Qinhuangdao and Beidaihe option from Tianjin, which takes you north to coastal beach towns instead. It's quieter than Beijing and good if you want something different, though most visitors prioritize the capital.