This 5‑Day Beijing Tour is ideal for families and budget-conscious travelers looking to explore China’s capital.
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Air-conditioned Coach
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3 Stars Hotels
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Breakfast & Lunch
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English, Chinese
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Easy to Moderate
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2-15
Beijing Tour Overview
Experience the very best of China’s historic capital on our 5‑Day / 4‑Night Beijing Explorer. Designed for families, first‑timers, and curious travelers, this value‑packed itinerary blends imperial landmarks with hands‑on cultural fun. Stroll the vast courtyards of the Forbidden City, greet dawn with Tai Chi at the 600‑year‑old Temple of Heaven, and scale the scenic Mutianyu section of the Great Wall—complete with cable‑car or toboggan options. Between iconic sites you’ll paint your own Peking Opera mask, savor a classic Peking Duck feast, unwind in a local hot‑pot restaurant, and ease travel fatigue with a full‑body spa. Modern Beijing shines, too: snap photos at the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, browse avant‑garde galleries in the 798 Art Zone, and glide by rickshaw through centuries‑old hutongs to end your days in authentic style.
Trip Highlights of the Beijing Tour
- Tai Chi & Temple of Heaven – Begin your day with peaceful movement alongside locals in a historic park where emperors once prayed for good harvests.
- Forbidden City Walkthrough – Explore the world’s largest palace complex with over 8,700 rooms and centuries of dynastic history.
- Mutianyu Great Wall Adventure – Enjoy forested scenery, fewer crowds, and optional cable car or toboggan rides for all fitness levels.
- Hands-On Peking Opera Mask Painting – Learn about facial makeup traditions and create your own colorful souvenir.
- Traditional Peking Duck Banquet – Witness tableside carving of Beijing’s most famous dish, complete with all the fixings.
- Bird’s Nest & Water Cube Visit – Snap Instagram-worthy shots of these iconic Olympic venues that define modern Beijing.
- 798 Art Zone Discovery – Walk through China’s most exciting contemporary art district in a revamped factory zone.
- Hutong Rickshaw Ride – Step back in time with a guided ride through Beijing’s narrow alleys and traditional courtyard homes.
Day‑by‑Day Beijing Tour Itinerary
Day 1–2: Imperial Beijing
Temple of Heaven: Tai Chi with locals & Ming Dynasty architecture
Forbidden City: world’s largest palace complex & Hall of Supreme Harmony
Peking Opera Mask Painting: hands-on cultural activity
Peking Duck Dinner: signature Beijing dish once reserved for royalty
Day 3: Great Wall & Olympic Park
Mutianyu Great Wall: family-friendly with cable car & toboggan
Bird’s Nest & Water Cube: iconic 2008 Olympic venues
Hotpot Dinner + Full-Body Spa: local flavors & relaxing recovery
Day 4: Art & Heritage
798 Art Zone: modern art galleries in industrial space
Beijing Hutong Tour by Rickshaw: explore traditional alleys
Qianmen Street: historical shopping & food street
Day 5: Departure
Leisure time or optional visit before transfer to airport
Nihao! Welcome to Beijing, the capital city of China! Upon your arrival at the airport in Beijing, the tour guide and driver will meet and greet you at the exit by holding a welcome board with your name. And then escort you to the well-selected hotel in downtown Beijing. The rest of the day is free on your own so you can have a good rest for the jet lag or explore by yourself around your hotel.
Temple of Heaven(天坛 tiān tán): An Imperial Legacy & Tai Chi Experience
Kick off your day at the Temple of Heaven, a 600-year-old ceremonial site where Ming (1368-1644 AD)and Qing (1644-1912 AD) emperors held grand rituals to pray for good harvests and divine blessings.
Don’t miss the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a 38-meter-tall circular structure built without nails. Test the Echo Wall, where whispers travel magically across 65 meters.
Join a Tai Chi session in the park, practicing this ancient martial art with locals for a calm and energizing experience.
The Forbidden City(紫禁城 zǐ jìn chéng): The Homes of Emperors
Step into the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved palace complex in the world. Built in the early 1400s, it spans over 180 acres with more than 8,700 rooms, serving as home to 24 emperors for nearly 500 years. For comparison, the Forbidden City is over four times larger than Buckingham Palace (39 acres) and vastly exceeds the White House, which sits on just 18 acres.
This imperial city is a living museum of Chinese art, culture, and history. Highlights include the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where the emperor held his throne, and the Imperial Garden, a quiet and beautiful retreat.
Peking Opera Mask Painting Experience
Discover the art of Peking Opera mask painting, a tradition rich in history and symbolism. Learn the meaning behind the bold colors and intricate designs, then paint your own mask under expert guidance.
Take home a unique souvenir and gain insight into China’s vibrant opera culture in a fun, hands-on way!
Peking Duck Feast: A Must-Try Beijing Experience
A trip to Beijing isn’t complete without trying Peking Duck, the city’s signature dish. Watch as the chef expertly carves crispy, golden duck into thin slices, served with pancakes, scallions, and hoisin sauce.
Enjoy the perfect balance of rich flavors and crispy texture, a dish once reserved for royalty but now loved by all. A must-try for food lovers!
Mutianyu Great Wall(慕田峪长城 mù tián yù cháng chéng):A Scenic and Fun-Filled Adventure
No trip to Beijing is complete without visiting the Great Wall of China, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Built over 2,000 years ago, the wall stretches over 13,000 miles and was constructed without modern machinery, making it an incredible feat of ancient engineering.
Today, explore the Mutianyu section, a scenic and less crowded part of the Great Wall, ideal for families, seniors. Easily accessible from Beijing, it offers cable cars, chairlifts, and a thrilling toboggan ride, you can choose how you explore—walk at your own pace or enjoy a fun, effortless ascent and descent.
Bird’s Nest (鸟巢 niǎo cháo)& Water Cube (水立方 shuǐ lì fāng): Beijing’s Olympic Landmarks
Visit Beijing’s iconic Olympic venues, the Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) and the Water Cube (National Aquatics Center). These world-famous structures hosted the 2008 Beijing Olympics and remain symbols of modern architecture and athletic excellence.
Hotpot & Full-Body Spa: The Perfect Way to Unwind
Enjoy a delicious hotpot meal, where you cook fresh meats, seafood, and vegetables in a simmering broth. Customize your flavors with a variety of dipping sauces and enjoy this interactive dining experience loved by locals.
After the feast, relax with a full-body massage at a spa. Let go of fatigue as skilled therapists ease your muscles, the perfect way to refresh after a day of exploring.
Explore Beijing’s Hutong by Rickshaw
Step into Beijing’s historic hutongs, a maze of narrow alleys lined with traditional courtyard homes. These centuries-old streets offer a glimpse into local life and culture.
Hop on a rickshaw ride for a fun and relaxing way to explore, winding through hidden lanes while your guide shares stories of old Beijing. A must-do experience to see the city’s past come to life!
Qianmen Street(前门大街 qián mén dà jiē): A Historic Walk Through Old Beijing
Step back in time as you stroll down Qianmen Street, a lively pedestrian street with over 600 years of history. Once the main commercial hub of imperial Beijing, it’s now lined with traditional shops, time-honored restaurants, and local snack stalls.
Ride the old-fashioned tram, browse for silk, tea, and souvenirs, or try famous eats like roast duck and sesame cakes. A perfect place to soak in Beijing’s old-world charm!
Your guide will transfer you to the airport, marking the end of your memorable journey. Safe travels and see you next time!
What's Included & Excluded in Our Beijing Tour
What’s Included
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Hotel accommodations
- Professional English-speaking tour guide
- Drivers & air-conditioned vehicles
- Entrance fees to tourist sites
What’s Excluded
- International and domestic airfares or train fares
- China Visa fee
- Travel and medical insurance
- Gratuities to guides and drivers
Overall Trip Rating:
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Verified Purchase
You can’t miss the Forbidden City if you’re in Beijing. It’s huge and majestic. Just be prepared for a lot of people and walking. Our guide was very good at keeping us engaged and moving.
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We brought our 11 and 8-year-old, and they loved the rickshaw ride through the hutongs and painting their own opera masks. The hotpot was fun too—they liked choosing their own food to cook.
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The guide made the palace come alive with stories about the concubines and royal life. I learned a lot!
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The highlight was definitely climbing the Wall – unforgettable views!
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Loved walking through the courtyards and hearing all the stories. The Hall of Supreme Harmony was huge! The only thing was the weather – super hot in the summer and barely any shade inside. Maybe better to go in spring or fall.
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I’m not super into modern art, but 798 was actually pretty fun! The vibe is creative and different from the rest of Beijing. Lots of murals, quirky shops, and cute cafés. It was a nice break from historical sightseeing.
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The tour is packed and you don’t get tons of free time, but you do cover all the highlights. The Great Wall at Mutianyu is a must.
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Loved the Great Wall hike and exploring the 798 art zone. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Only downside was the traffic made our day a bit tight.
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Verified Purchase
The Forbidden City was massive and full of history, but I was also surprised how much I liked the 798 art zone. It’s such a contrast — one minute you're walking through an emperor’s palace, the next you're in a cool graffiti alley.
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The Forbidden City was HUGE! So many details on every building. I couldn’t stop taking pictures. Our guide Jason explained so much history, made it fun and easy to follow. Loved walking around the Hutongs too—felt super local. Highly recommend.
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The Forbidden City is massive and impressive! Our guide explained a lot about the emperors and hidden meanings in the architecture. I just wish we had a bit more time to wander by ourselves. Still, very worth it!
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The Great Wall hike is not a joke 😅 But it was one of the most incredible views I’ve seen.
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Climbing the Great Wall at Mutianyu was unforgettable. Not crowded at all, and the views were... wow. The cable car saved us time, and lunch at a local farmhouse was delish!
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Some of the art wasn’t really my style, but the area itself is awesome. Great for walking around and taking pics. We had some tasty coffee too!
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798 Art Zone was very unexpected. It felt like Berlin more than Beijing—super artistic and edgy. Not everyone’s thing maybe, but I really enjoyed it.
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The rickshaw ride was a fun part of our day. Great to see the traditional courtyard homes from this angle.
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Our guide always remind where clean bathroom is – trust me, that’s important 😅 Also she carry tissue and hand gel for us. So prepared!
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When we were shopping at Qianmen Street, a vendor tried to sell my husband a “real jade” bracelet for 800 RMB, but our guide Jenny stepped in, smile politely and said something in Chinese. Suddenly the price drop to 120. She really saved us!
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Thank you Lisa for an informative tour of the Forbidden Palace and the in-depth explanations of life for the Emperor's.
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Car was nice, cold water inside, and we even had phone charger! That’s 5 stars for me.
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The rickshaw ride through the hutongs was charming and relaxing. Our guide told us stories about old Beijing life, like how families used to live in courtyard houses. It was a good break from walking too much. You see a more human side of the city this way. Highly recommend it if you're tired of skyscrapers.