Beijing 2-Day Tours: Great Wall, Forbidden City & Top Highlights

Meet your guide in your hotel lobby for a seamless, chauffeured transfer to Tiananmen Square, the heart of Beijing’s historic axis and modern power center. Enjoy a relaxing stroll to capture stunning photos of landmarks like the Great Hall of the People, National Museum, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, and Monument to the People’s Heroes.

Step into the magnificent Forbidden City (Palace Museum), the world’s ultimate imperial palace and China’s power center for 500 years from 1420 to 1911 AD. While navigating the emperors’ legendary 9,999 rooms can be overwhelming, our curated, expert-led route cuts through the crowds, ensuring a smooth journey showcasing the absolute highlights along the grand axis from the Meridian Gate to the Gate of Divine Prowess.

Explore the Outer Court’s three grand halls, where the emperor hosted state ceremonies.

Discover the Inner Court’s three main palaces - the emperor’s private quarters and executive office.

Wander through the leisure grounds for the emperor and the imperial harem.

Relax during a scenic 1.5-hour drive to the beautifully preserved, crowd-free Mutianyu Great Wall. Before your ascent, refuel with a premium buffet lunch with local flavors and soft drinks. To maximize your comfort, we’ve included your choice of mountain transport: take a leisurely round-trip cable car ride, or ascend via chairlift and ride a thrilling toboggan down. Enjoy a 2-hour hike along the defensive wall built atop the undulating ridges, uncovering historical beacon towers and soaking in breathtaking views. Finally, we will escort you back to your downtown Beijing hotel.

Your morning begins with a hotel pickup before we whisk you to the Temple of Heaven, a sacred sanctuary where ancient emperors held elaborate rituals to secure prosperous harvests. Alongside your guide, you’ll marvel at the architectural genius of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, stand on the Circular Mound Altar where emperors communed with Heaven, and test the mysterious acoustics of the Echo Wall. Note: If your travel date falls on a Monday when the main sights of the Temple of Heaven are closed, we’ll visit Beihai Park instead.

Let’s continue our journey into the historic Hutong alleys. Board a traditional rickshaw to glide through a maze of narrow, willow-shaded lanes alive with local chatter. The real highlight comes with an exclusive family visit inside a private quadrangle courtyard, where you’ll experience authentic Beijing hospitality and a rare glimpse into centuries of the locals’ preserved heritage and life wisdom.

Tibetan architecture that stands as Beijing’s largest and most impeccably preserved Buddhist lamasery.

Our grand finale goes to the Summer Palace, a grand imperial retreat dominated by the majestic Longevity Hill and the vast, peaceful Kunming Lake. Strolling beneath the intricately painted beams of the Long Corridor, you’ll feel transported back to the days of imperial luxury. Finally, we will escort you smoothly back to your hotel.