Explore Beijing with an Emperor's Tour
What do you expect from your first Beijing tour? What do you imagine imperial life in ancient China was like?
Explore the emperors' Forbidden City and visit the iconic Temple of Heaven. Walk along the Great Wall and relax at the emperors' summer residence, the Summer Palace. Take a rickshaw ride through the hutongs and savor the flavor of Beijing roast duck.
This 4-day private Beijing tour includes all the must-see attractions for a first-time visitor but doesn't just show you the surface of them.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Unveil the Lives of China's Royal Family in their Hidden Halls
Get off the ordinary sightseeing route in the Forbidden City. Listen to the interesting stories of eight famous personalities that are not told by typical tour guides.


Climb up upon the Greatest Project of Ancient China
Explore the most beautiful section of the Great Wall, where there are fewer tourists.


Join the Local People for a Morning Excercise in the Temple of Heaven
Admire the incredible architectures of the Temple of Heaven where the emperors prayed for good harvests. But also feel the relaxing lifestyle of the local senior people here.


Learn Chinese Calligraphy with a Senior Hutong Resident
Walk among the traditional residential houses of old Beijing. Enjoy a Chinese cultural experience in a hutong courtyard and immerse yourself in the age-old lifestyle.


Understand Beijing by Tasting Its Traditional Food
Enjoy an authentic Beijing roast duck dinner in a time-honored brand restaurant.


Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

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Beijing in a day
![]() My partner found this company and booked with ease and no hassle. From start to finish we have been so looked after, upon arrival in Beijing after a train from Shanghai we were met by our guide Selinda. She has been amazing through out the day, flexible with times. She showed us the best place to get some food and then taking us to and from the Great Wall was filled with information and little facts. Plenty of time was given to explore the wall and then we were taken for some dumplings to revive us. Selinda made sure we were looked after and ensured we got back on the correct train. She made this trip so much less stressful and much more enjoyable. Would highly recommend this company for future use. more
Jan 2025, French-Biscuit14
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Great way to tour Beijing
![]() My daughter and I toured Beijing with Selinda. She was prompt, professional, friendly, and helpful. We saw Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Mutianyu Great Wall section. At each site she shared the history and offered suggestions of good places for pictures. She was attentive to us and made sure we had everything we needed. The driver was helpful and having him drop us off and pick us up was immensely helpful. We toured the Summer Palace with Jason and he also did a stellar job sharing interesting facts and information which gave us context and a greater appreciation of what we saw. Jason, like Selinda, did a splendid job suggesting good photo spots and always happily offered to take our picture for us. I highly recommend these two tour guides and the driver. This was a great way to see some of the tourist attractions in Beijing. more
Jan 2025, Chris
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Epic time in Beijing with Selinda Zhang
![]() A huge shoutout to our most awesome tour guide Selinda Zhang!!! She is a walking talking encyclopaedia with a wealth of knowledge both historic and current. She made our visits to well preserved historical sites all the more interesting sharing architecture, literature, Chinese penmanship and poems to highlight the significance of each site we visited! She engages both adults and children and usually reticent kids were asking questions and learnt heaps about Beijing history this trip. We had an epic time in Beijing thanks to Selinda!! more
Jan 2025, Hwei ling C
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Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
Your private guide will meet and greet you at the arrival hall of the airport or at the train station's exit. A comfortable private car (non-smoking) with an experienced driver will transfer you directly to your hotel, where your guide will help you to check-in.
Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and drive to the historic Tian'anmen Square. After going through the middle gate of the Tian'anmen Rostrum, start to enjoy the highlight of the day, the Forbidden City.
Besides admiring the splendid palaces on the central axis, your guide will take you off the touristy route to explore some spots that are related to some famous figures from the two dynasties. The stories about them will make the Forbidden City come alive for you.
After lunch, go to the old hutong area with your guide. A visit to a local family offers a local perspective on the area's history and is a highlight for most visitors.
Enjoy an authentic Beijing roast duck dinner in a time-honored brand restaurant
Visit the Temple of Heaven in the morning. The Circular Mound Altar, Echo Wall, and the spectacular Imperial Vault of Heaven are the highlights. Additionally, your private guide will show you an area in the park where the local people do their morning exercises, such as tai chi or dancing.
In the afternoon, you'll hike the Great Wall at Mutianyu. This section is ranked top among all parts of the Great Wall on TripAdvisor due to its picturesque scenery and beautifully restored architecture.
On the wall, you can hike along "the most beautiful and interesting part of the Great Wall", which is between the 14th and 23rd watchtowers.
Drive to the famous imperial garden in China, the Summer Palace. It is where the emperors used to retreat when fleeing the summer heat.
You will have a chance to view all of the beautiful palaces at the lakeside during a boat ride on Kunming Lake.
Your guide will handle your luggage and transfer and will accompany you to the train/bus station or the correct check-in desk at the airport for your departure.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.


Price Includes: