4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets

Earn OneKeyCash when you sign in and book an activity

4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets

By Discover Beijing Tours

Exceptional

Free cancellation available

See tickets

Features

Free cancellation available
4h
Mobile voucher
Instant confirmation

Overview

Ideal for history, culture, architecture, and museum enthusiasts, this tour embodies the popular saying: “70% of visiting the Forbidden City is learning its stories, 30% is seeing the palaces”. Over this 4-hour walking experience, you’ll pause at key spots for engaging “storey time”—gaining deep insights into its rich culture—while exploring major buildings and courtyards. With small group size, you’ll enjoy personalised attention from your guide. Entrance fees are included. Alternatively, you may opt for our Forbidden City ticket-only service and explore independently at your own pace.

Activity location

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)
- West Changan Street, Dongcheng District,
- 100006, Beijing, China

Meeting/Redemption Point

Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall
- 20 Qian Men Dong Da Jie
- 100051, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

Check availability

Forbidden City+Coal Hill Tour

4h
English

This option including entry ticket to the Forbidden city&Coal Hill park. Tour start at 8:00 or 13:00without Tian'anmen square
Meeting point: Donghuamen: You can reach here by taxi 请带我去故宫东华门, by subway line 8 at Jingyu Hutong Station, exit C, then walking 700 metres
Starting point:
Donghuamen, China, Bei Jing Shi, Dong Cheng Qu, 景山前街4号邮政编码: 100006

Travellers

Language options: English

Starting time

Price details

£22.62 x 1 Adult£22.62

Total

Tian'anmen & Forbidden City

4h
English

Tian'anmen & Forbidden City: Available at 7:30AM and 12:00PM, including entry to Tian’anmen Square (free)&the Forbidden City. Meet at Laoshe Teahouse.
Duration: 3 hours
Starting point:
Lao She's Teahouse, China, Bei Jing Shi, Xi Cheng Qu, Qian Men Xi Da Jie, 正阳市场3号楼邮政编码: 100031

Travellers

Language options: English

Starting time

Price details

£23.74 x 1 Adult£23.74

Total

Tiananmen Square+Forbiddencity

4h
English

This option including Entry Tickets to Tian'anmen Square and Forbidden City. Please arrive before 9:50am
Beijing Planning Exhibition: You can reach here by taxi: 请带我去北京城市规划馆前门东大街20号, subway line 2 at Qianmen Station, exit E2, then walking 400 metres.
Starting point:
Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall, 20 Qian Men Dong Da Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100051

Travellers

Language options: English

Starting time: 10:00

Price details

£23.74 x 1 Adult£23.74

Total

What's included, what's not

If you choose the Coal Hill Park option then entry ticket is included
Group tour includes a professional guide
Fobiddden city entrance fee
If you choose the Tian'anmen Square option entry ticket is included
Hotel pick up and drop-off
Gratuites
If you choose option: Tian'anmen Square and Forbidden City, you will not visit Coal Hill Park
If you choose Forbidden City and Coal Hill Park option, you will not visit Tian'anmen Square
Please note: For ticket-only bookings, visit independently (no guide, no meeting point)

Know before you book

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Your passport name and number are required at time of booking (for all participants)
Please don't forget to bring your passport, you may be refused entry without it.
0-3 Years old infant is free, children have to purchase tickets as well
Tian'anmen Square might close without advance notice due to government activity, if this happens you will skip the Square
Tour departs punctually. Please arrive 10 minutes early. Once the tour left, you are unable to join the tour, and this tour is not refundable.
Chinese citizens, including customers from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, need to reserve the tickets for the Palace Museum 7 days in advance. Once the tickets for the Palace Museum are sold out, it will be impossible to participate in this itinerary. In addition, according to the regulations of the Palace Museum, Chinese citizens can only choose to reserve tickets with their ID cards. Therefore, when making a reservation, it is necessary to submit the Chinese name and ID card number, and on the day of the tour, the submitted ID document must be presented to join the tour group.
This tour is not recommended for travellers with physical/visual impairments or mobility restrictions due to varied terrain (underground passages, stairs) and the length of the tour. Please note that this tour covers 4 hours of walking.
In case of peak travel seasons and when all the tickets reserved online for the scenic area are sold out, tourists are required to go to the ticket office of the scenic area by themselves under the guidance of the tour guide to handle the purchase of paper tickets on-site. Please be informed.
Since this is a small - group itinerary, your punctual arrival at the meeting point is essential for a seamless travel experience. Tiananmen Square and the Palace Museum have strict regulations and procedures. If you are late, it may unfortunately prevent you from joining the tour and entering the Palace Museum. Due to the unique nature of the itinerary arrangements, in the event that lateness causes you to miss the tour, we regret that we will not be able to process a refund. We highly recommend that you communicate with your hotel in advance to accurately confirm the travel time from the hotel to the meeting point and make sufficient preparations. This way, you can embark on your journey with ease and enjoy every moment of it.
In Peak season, the security checks at Tiananmen Square are particularly stringent. If the waiting time exceeds one hour, we recommend considering a bus ride that passes by the square. Given the sweltering heat, waiting in line for an extended period increases the risk of heat - related illnesses. Additionally, spending too much time at the square could detract from your experience at the iconic Forbidden City, which is a highlight of our tour. We will only proceed with this alternative if the majority of the group is in agreement. Please keep this in mind as we plan our visit.
This tour is not recommended for travellers with physical/visual impairments or mobility restrictions due to varied terrain (underground passages, stairs) and the length of the tour. Please note that this tour covers 4 hours of walking.
In accordance with UK consumer law, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
This activity is provided by a professional trader (a party acting within their trade, business or profession).

Activity itinerary

Beijing (Pass by)

Please note that we have three different tour packages available. Please choose according to your needs, and check carefully the different meeting points and times for each option. You must bring your actual valid passport for this tour. Option 1 Tian’anmen Square & Forbidden City Group Tour Start time: 10:00 am Meeting point: In front of Beijing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall Option 2 Forbidden City & Coal Hill Park Group Tour (without Tian’anmen Square) Start time: 8:00 am & 13:00 pm Meeting point: In front of Donghuamen (East Gate of the Forbidden City) Option 3 Tian’anmen Square & Forbidden City Group Tour Start time: 7:30 am & 12:00 pm Meeting point: In front of Laoshe Teahouse

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)

For Option 1 & 3: You will visit Tian'anmen Square first. Tiananmen Square is the geographical centre of Beijing City. It is the largest city square in the world, occupying an area of 440,000 square metres. Followed by your expert and professional guide, a very informative introduction of the Tian'anmen square and surrounding buildings will be given to your group, as everyone moves along towards to the Forbidden City. (Note: In peak season security checks at Tiananmen Square are particularly stringent. If the waiting time exceeds 1 hour, we recommend considering a bus ride that passes by the square. Additionally, spending too much time at the square could detract from your experience at the iconic Forbidden City, which is a highlight of our tour. We will only proceed with this alternative if the majority of the group is in agreement. Please keep this in mind as we plan our visit.)

Forbidden City-The Palace Museum

30m
Admission ticket included

Once enter the Forbidden City, your guide will find a quite sitting area and introduce you to the palace, making you feel immersed in the history of the Ming and Qing Dynasty. People always say: when visit Forbidden city, 70% is to learn the stories and 30% is to see the palace.During the walking tour, you will stop at different locations to have the "Story time" and gain the insight view to the fascinating culture.This detailed tour to the Forbidden city also including the visit to the important museums to discover the treasures from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Hall of Great Harmony (Taihe Dian)

20m
Admission ticket included

You'll be walking pass the most notable buildings during the tour as well as the west and east chambers. Check the Itinerary for the full list of sights. Stroll around the courtyards and halls of the Forbidden city with your tour guide, and learn the histories and stories about this massive palace. You will visit these buildings inside the Forbidden City.

Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian)

20m
Admission ticket included

Including the Hall of Supreme Harmony (for grand imperial ceremonies), the Hall of Central Harmony (for the emperor's pre-ritual rest and preparation) and the Hall of Preserving Harmony (for royal banquets and the imperial examination).

The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum

20m
Admission ticket included

Your tour will end at the Imperial Garden in the north, then you can decide to explore more of the Palace on your own, or going to the next destination. Your guide will give suggestions for you on where to go and how to get to the next place.

Jingshan Park (Jingshan Gongyuan)

If you choose option 2, after the Forbidden city. Dive into Beijing's rich history with a short hike in Jingshan Park, climb up to the the summit of Jingshan Hill with your tour guide, enjoy panoramic views of Beijing's cityscape, including an unparalleled view of the Forbidden City. For option 2, your tour will end here.

Palace of Heavenly Purity

20m
Admission ticket included

Then continue to explore the imperial living quarters in the palace: the Hall of Heavenly Purity (the emperor’s bedroom and office), the Hall of Union (a symbolic hall for imperial couples), and the Hall of Earthly Tranquillity (the empress’s residence). Our knowledgeable tour guide will share fascinating stories and intriguing historical facts behind these magnificent buildings throughout the tour.

Location

Activity location

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)
- West Changan Street, Dongcheng District,
- 100006, Beijing, China

Meeting/Redemption Point

Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall
- 20 Qian Men Dong Da Jie
- 100051, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China
Lao She's Teahouse
- 正阳市场3号楼 Qian Men Xi Da Jie
- 100031, Xi Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China
Donghuamen
- 4号景山前街
- 100006, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Beijing your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top experiences in Beijing

With so many things to do in Beijing, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Beijing. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Beijing to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.