A one-day tour of Beijing takes in Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Lunch and tickets are included. Only one listing on WizardTrip offers this tour, in three options. It has 4,317 reviews and a rating of 5.0 out of 5 (as of 18 October 2026).
This article covers the day itself, the three options, booking Forbidden City tickets and the limits on the toboggan ride.
Beijing day tour: what you need to know
The listing states 9 to 11 hours, depending on the option. English is the only guide language listed. The drive between the city and the Great Wall takes about 1.5 hours.
The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays. On that day, Jingshan Hill takes its place, with a bird’s-eye view of the palace, and the day then continues to the Great Wall.
The listing asks for each participant’s full name, passport number and nationality at the time of booking. Keep the same valid ID document for the whole trip: entry to the sites may otherwise be refused.
Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City: the morning
The day starts at Tiananmen Square, where the program allows 40 minutes. You walk past the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and the Great Hall of the People without stopping. The listing also points out the National Museum of China, along Chang’an Avenue.
You then enter the Forbidden City through the Tiananmen Gate. The program allows 2 hours for the Palace Museum. It includes 30 minutes at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, 30 minutes in the Imperial Garden and a stop at the Meridian Gate.
According to the listing, this is the largest imperial palace in the world. It has 9,999.5 rooms and more than 600 years of history, and 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties lived there.
The pace is brisk. Aysha, who gives it 5 out of 5 in September 2026, warns that the tour does not suit anyone who likes to take photos or wander. She writes: “the maximum free time at the sites was ten to fifteen minutes.” She also mentions stops at a jade shop and a tea shop.
Lunch, a local meal, is served at a nearby restaurant, before the afternoon at the Great Wall.
The Great Wall at Mutianyu: the drive, the hike and the descent
The afternoon is devoted to the Mutianyu section. The drive from the city takes about 1.5 hours. Your guide takes you to a quieter area for a hike of about 2 hours.
A cable car or a chairlift takes you about halfway up, saving time and energy. The listing offers three combinations: a chairlift up and down, a chairlift up and then the toboggan down, or a cable car both ways. Two independent cable car companies operate, and you choose one or the other.
The toboggan is not available to anyone over 60, pregnant women or children under 3. It is also unavailable in bad weather or when the queues are long. The listing then provides a round trip by chairlift or cable car.
Prateek gives 5 out of 5 in September 2026 and writes: “The Great Wall was without a doubt the highlight of our trip.”
The three options: hotel pickup, private tour or Grand Hotel
The all-inclusive tour comes in three options. They differ in starting point, group size and length. The listing shows a price from $98; check the rate for the option you choose.
- Group tour with hotel pickup: a group of about 12 people, presented as a premium small-group tour. Pickup is between 7:00 am and 7:30 am depending on the hotel, in the city center. The day lasts 11 hours.
- All-inclusive private tour: pickup and drop-off at your hotel in the city center, with a driver and a private car or van. The day lasts 9 hours, longer in heavy traffic.
- Group meeting at the Grand Hotel: a group of about 12 people, with no hotel pickup or drop-off. The meeting point is around 7:40 am at the Grand Hotel Beijing, 35 East Chang’an Avenue. The day lasts 11 hours.
To reach the Grand Hotel by subway, take Line 1 or 8 to Wangfujing station, Exit C (southwest). Then walk 3 minutes west. No hotel details are required for this option.
Hotel pickups start before the stated time, the listing warns. It asks you to confirm the exact time with the local operator.
All three options include tickets, lunch, a guide and a driver. The listing adds bottled water, local taxes and parking fees.
The tour at a glance
| Hotel pickup group | Private tour | Grand Hotel meeting point | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 11 hours | 9 hours | 11 hours |
| Start | Hotel pickup, 7:00 to 7:30 am | Hotel pickup, time not specified | Meet around 7:40 am at the Grand Hotel Beijing |
| Group size | About 12 people | Not specified | About 12 people |
| Return | To the hotel | To the hotel | Return to the hotel not provided |
| Included | Tickets, lunch, guide, driver | Tickets, lunch, guide, driver | Tickets, lunch, guide, driver |
| Great Wall | Cable car round trip | Cable car or chairlift, toboggan on the way down | Cable car or toboggan |
| Guide language | English | English | English |
| Cancellation | Full refund up to 24 hours before | Full refund up to 24 hours before | Full refund up to 24 hours before |
Traveling with children, and what to bring
The listing says strollers and prams are accessible for infants and young children. Infants must use a seat held by an adult.
The listing asks participants for a moderate level of fitness, with a lot of walking, and advises comfortable walking shoes. It also recommends sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and plenty of water, especially during the hottest months.
Should you book early, and what happens if it rains?
Forbidden City tickets must be reserved in advance, 168 hours (7 days) before the visit, and are subject to availability. The listing strongly recommends booking early. International visitors may have to buy tickets on site if advance booking is not available.
Chinese nationals, including visitors from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, must book at least 7 days in advance. A booking made less than 7 days before the visit date cannot be accepted.
The listing states that the experience depends on the weather. If the tour is canceled because of extreme weather, you can choose another date, another tour or a full refund. If you cancel, the refund is full up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Which option should you choose?
- You are staying in the city center and want a small group: the option with hotel pickup.
- You want the shortest day, 9 hours, in a private vehicle: the all-inclusive private tour.
- You would rather not give any hotel details: the group meeting at the Grand Hotel Beijing, around 7:40 am.
- You are over 60, pregnant or traveling with a child under 3: any option, with the chairlift or cable car.
For the rest of your stay, the city’s tours and excursions are gathered on the Things to do in Beijing page. More travel ideas in China are on the country page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Beijing tour with the Forbidden City and the Great Wall take?
Depending on the option, 9 to 11 hours: 9 hours for the private tour, 11 hours for the two group options. The drive to the Great Wall at Mutianyu takes about 1.5 hours, and traffic can make the day longer.
Is the Forbidden City open on Mondays?
No, it is closed on Mondays. On that day, the listing replaces the visit with Jingshan Hill, which has a bird’s-eye view of the Forbidden City. The day then continues to the Great Wall.
Do you need a passport to visit the Forbidden City?
Yes. The listing asks for each participant’s full name, passport number and nationality at booking. You need to keep the same valid ID document for the whole trip, otherwise entry to the sites may be refused.
How do you get up to the Great Wall at Mutianyu?
The listing offers a chairlift or cable car on the way up, with a toboggan or the same means on the way down. The toboggan is ruled out for anyone over 60, pregnant women and children under 3.
Is lunch included in the one-day Beijing tour?
Yes. The listing includes a local lunch at a nearby restaurant, entrance fees, bottled water, a guide and a driver. Tips and souvenirs are not included.
What time does the one-day Beijing tour start?
Between 7:00 am and 7:30 am for the option with hotel pickup, depending on the hotel’s location. The meeting at the Grand Hotel Beijing is around 7:40 am. The listing gives no time for the private tour.
Activities mentioned in this guide
All activities in Beijing, with their prices and reviews: Things to do in Beijing
