Forbidden City In-Depth Exploring Private 4-Hour Tour

78 Reviews

Badge of Excellence

Beijing, China

Forbidden City In-Depth Exploring Private 4-Hour Tour

From $82.00

Price varies by group size

Lowest Price Guarantee

Free cancellation

Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more

4 hours (approx.)

Hotel pickup offered

Mobile ticket

Offered in: English and 3 more

Overview

See the Chinese imperial palace used from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty up close on this private, 4-hour tour of the Forbidden City, including special skip-the-line access. Along the way, you’ll also get to see Tiananmen Square and Jinshan Park. Please be aware that this tour doesn’t include transportation to and from the attractions, but your private guide can help you get a taxi or other form of transport (own expense).

Instant Confirmation
Prefect introduction for first-time visitors
Choice of morning or afternoon departure
Private guide for a more personalized experience
All entrance fees included

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From $82.00

Lowest Price Guarantee

What's Included

Hotel pick up ( No Private Vehicle )

Private knowledgeable guide

Attractions entrance fee

Hotel drop off

Gratuities ( Recommend for excellent service )

Transport fee

Departure & Return

Departure Point

Possible departure locations

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Please NoteThe hotel pick-up area should be within the 4th ring road of Beijing. For further distance, there might be an extra cost for the transfer which you'll be notified by your travel advisor.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Children must be accompanied by an adult
All travelers Passport name, number and birthday is required at time of booking for all participants for getting your SKIP THE LINE Forbidden City entrance ticket in advance
A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Please provide the tour operator with your special requests at "special requirement", your tour operator will also contact you just in case
Please note : The private tour not include hotel drop off ,but your guide can help you get taxi or personal Uber (own expense)
For last minute booking , if no guide available , we can full refund or change the tour to another day
Most travelers can participate
If you choose to have Spanish language tour guide service, please ensure to make your booking at least 3 days in advance
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
OPERATED BY Leo's Guide & Driver Service

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Learn more about cancellations.

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

"It makes all the difference as you understand exactly what you are experiencing and therefore take in more." See review

Reviews

5.0

78 Reviews

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Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 78 reviews

Great, wonderful, fantastic - highly recommend!

Dena_V

, Oct 2019

Wonderful tour! Helena is a great tour guide. She met me at my hotel early (first win!), arranged for a taxi and we rode together to the tour. She is personable and incredibly knowledgeable. As this was my first trip to Beijing, she told me all about the history and culture. Even though it was crowded, we sped through the line at Tiananmen Square. I found out all about the area's rich history. Next was The Forbidden City - truly amazing, and so much more interesting with Helena's comprehensive knowledge. Our last stop, Jingshan Park was lovely. We walked to the very top and not only enjoyed the trees, flowers but amazing views. I highly recommend Helena and this tour. I'm very glad I decided to take it!

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Great tour!

GoingBackTo505

, Sep 2019

We had a private tour of the Forbidden City last Sunday with Helena. She picked us up from the reception of our hotel promptly at 9am and we walked to the Forbidden City. On the way, Helena told us all about life in China and gave us so much information. With Helena, we could skip the long queues and we were into the Forbidden City quickly. It was a hot day and Helena was very good about stopping in the shade to talk to us so we were less exposed. She gave us a lot of interesting information and history of the Forbidden City, took plenty of pictures of us and helped us avoid the crowds. She obviously has a very in-depth knowledge of the Forbidden City and that certainly showed. We then walked up the hill at Jingshan Park to get a good view of the City below which was the perfect end to our tour. Overall, the tour was great - I would highly recommend it - and Helena was an excellent guide! Thank you! (NB: unfortunately due to rehearsals for the parade, Tiananmen Square was closed that day so we did not go there during this tour.)

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Excellent

Edwin_P

, Sep 2019

After searching for a one day tour of the Forbidden City based on guide reviews we decided on this one. As soon as we met our guide, April, we were not disappointed. April is knowledgeable, friendly, courteous, and professional. Walking to the Forbidden City April kept us informed of the inner workings of the area and of Beijing. Arriving at the main gate of the City April noticed it was too crowded and instead brought us through a side gate entrance where there were no lines and we entered with no problems. Once inside, April again educated us on the history of the Forbidden City and other detailed information. Would definitely recommend this tour and if possible ask for April !

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Amazing Private tour

Paul_S

, May 2019

April was our amazing guide, she was so knowledgeable. It makes all the difference as you understand exactly what you are experiencing and therefore take in more. Thank you April for making it so special.

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A view into Chinese History

Hirsh_S

, Apr 2019

Walking through the Forbidden City was like looking through a lens into China's past. The architecture, design, and artwork were all super impressive and well worth the trip. We met our tour guide, April, near our hotel and she escorted us through the Subway to the Forbidden City. She was able to help us skip past extremely large crowds of people with the use of our tour guide pass which really expedited the trip- we probably would've been waiting in line for at least an hour if we did not have her help. Throughout the entire trip, she gave us detailed information on the history and culture of China, and the role of the Forbidden City in Chinese history. She spoke English very well and she was kind and considerate- she even gave us directions to our next destination after the excursion and helped us hail a cab! The one tip I would give to those considering visiting the Forbidden City: the majority of the trip is outside and we were rained on the entire time. Make sure to plan accordingly

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Great day with April

CarlosHumberto_F

, Apr 2019

We had a fantastic day with April who made it special because of her deep knowledge of Chinese history. She explained everything in detail and asked my 10 year old son extra questions to keep him curious and entertained. We highly recommend April and this tour.

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Unforgettable Experience!

Vernita_V

, Apr 2019

Tina made our tour a special experience. She found a way to interact with each member of our multi-generation group in a special way. She even got our grandson involved by getting him a flag to lead the group. It was such a special experience to learn more about Chinese history and this special place with her.

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Absolutely awesome tour! April is the best!

Wotlos

, Sep 2018

April was amazing, very knowledgeable about the area and had plenty of stories and conversation to keep me engaged for the long walk through the forbidden city. She was even was kind enough to take me by a local street vendor to grab some quick jianbing for breakfast before driving to the square. I can't recommend April enough, she was fantastic and I will definitely be taking the tour again when I travel back to Beijing with my family.

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My Tour guide Susan was wonderful...

Fiona D

, May 2018

My Tour guide Susan was wonderful. Very knowledgeable and a pleasure to spend the day with. She was flexible to go to the sections I wanted to see and she even stood in the rain to take photos for me. Thanks again for an amazing tour.

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I was in Beijing less than two days...

kedekeka2

, Jan 2018

I was in Beijing less than two days and wanted to take in as much as possible. I booked this 1/2 day tour of the Forbidden City through Viator to take place on the morning before I was to leave for the airport. Getting to the airport and through immigration is a whole other adventure. My guide, Susan, was at the hotel on time and ready to start the tour. I was the only one on the tour so it certainly was a Private Tour. It was a very cold and somewhat hazy December day in Beijing. Susan suggested we take the train, and since I had not yet experienced the Chinese public transportation, we walked a short way to the subway station. I am glad we did. It was very inexpensive and an easy trip to Tian'anman Square. There were very few people in the Square and in the Forbidden City. I feel extremely lucky that Susan was my guide for the tour. She was delightful to be with, very personable and knowledgeable, and easily adjusted the tour to meet my requests. We covered a lot of ground, saw Tian'anman Square, the Forbidden City, and more. I highly recommend Susan for any tour in Beijing. If I get a chance to go back, I will request her.

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