I had an absolutely fantastic experience visiting the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China with Edward! He was an excellent guide, extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about Chinese history and culture. He shared fascinating stories and interesting details that made both visits truly memorable. Everything was perfectly organized, and Edward made the whole experience enjoyable, relaxed, and unforgettable. I couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Highly recommended! Thank you, Edward, for such a wonderful experience!
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Lunch in a Local Restaurant
- Round Cable car up and down or Chairlift up & Toboggan down the wall
- Entrance Tickets to the Sights
- English-speaking tour guide service fee
- Air-conditioned vehicle with a private driver
Excludes
- Accommodation
- Gratuity to the guide and driver
- Personal Cost
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
You will be picked up at hotel lobby in the morning by your assigned tour guide. A comfortable vehicle (non-smoking) with an experienced driver will be ready for you to explore Beijing. Your tour starts with visit to the Tian’anmen Square, the world’s largest public square. Explore the sites around the square with opportunities to take some amazing pictures. Then you will venture northward to the Tian’anmen Rostrum guarded by the enormous and portrait of Mao for all to see and what has universally been photographed all over the world.
Next, through the Meridian Gate to the magnificent Forbidden City, a palace complex in Dongcheng District, located in the center of the Imperial City of Beijing. It is surrounded by numerous imperial gardens and temples including Zhongshan Park, Beihai Park and Jingshan Park. In the largest Imperial Palace in the world, you will spend 1.5 to 2 hours wandering around this amazing example of imperial architecture and learning about the history of the palace. Through the Forbidden City, one can see the wisdom of the ancients.
After that, drive around 1 hour to the village near the Mutianyu section Wall and enjoy lunch at the local Chinese restaurant. (Dishes will be ordered on the spot according to your choice at the certain budget) Then drive around 30 minutes to the Mutianyu Wall which is less crowded section. You will have your choice of taking the cable car or chair lift up the breathtaking wall and spend a leisurely 1 to 2 hours hiking up and down the various sections exploring the Watch Towers and marveling at the construction and beauty of the renown and legendary Wall. You then have the option of an exhilarating toboggan ride back down or simply return the way you came with cable car.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
We booked both the Great Wall and Forbidden City tours with Catherine Lu (as well as tours in Xi’an and Chengdu). We asked lots of questions ahead of time and the team were always really responsive and helpful, giving us lots of confidence that all would go well, which it did. Our tour guide was Susie. She was happy to go at a pace that suited us and her extensive knowledge really brought to life both the Great Wall and Forbidden City. Would highly recommend Catherine Lu, Susie and the driver, Mr Wu.
Absolutely amazing day! Can’t recommend it enough. Our tour guide Xixi was the best - super personable, funny, and knowledgeable. We were only in Beijing for a few days, and this was worth every penny. Very comfortable car and personal driver too. The Great Wall was breath taking and so impressive. We got to learn a ton about Chinese history from Xixi at the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
We booked with Catherine for the tour and airport pick up and drop off. Communication was excellent email response was perfect Iwas 100% confident on getting picked up! The tour was great, bill was great guide English was fantastic, the lunch was brilliant one of the best meals we had when there. The wall was spectacular! Bill took some great pictures the driver was equally good. Don't hesitate to use them!
Great experience ! Thanks for the great day
We had two fantastic days in Beijing (September 2026). We were a group of 15 people, and Catherine Lu Tours organized an excellent program for us, allowing us to visit the landmarks we had planned, including transfers. I must highlight the transparency in communication, the fair prices, the punctuality, and even the flexibility, as we had a flight problem and they reorganized everything without any additional costs. I highly recommend them, and if we return to China, we will use their services again. A special note of thanks to Jenny, who was a TOP guide. Thank you
Our Guide Jenny was incredible She was very professional extremely knowledgeable. She went above and beyond to ensure my son and I had the absolute best experience
2 days, one with a tour in Beijing and one to Chinese Wall. Professionally supported from our guide (Xixi) during the 2 days, always professional and with clarity of details and descriptions
Our tour guide Jenny was absolutely amazing she was early at our hotel for pickup. She was extremely knowledgeable about Tianaman square, The forbidden city, as well as the Great Wall. It felt like we got over to learn about 2000 years worth of Chinas deep history amazing culture and beautiful architecture during our day tour. She was very pleasant and kind and was awesome when it came to taking pictures she knew what places had the best photo ops with the least amount of people I would 10/10 recommend this service to anyone interested in the Great Wall and China
Jenny was an amazing guide, everything prepared and organized, fantastic knowledge of all details of the program. The sites were unique, my favorite is the wall but the forbidden city is also great. Fantastic day
The day was fantastic, Jenny our guide tour speaks perfect English, explained very well the forbidden city, Great Wall and all the culture of China. The lunch was delicious and the quality of transport.
The driver who took me to the Great Wall was absolutely wonderful. He was extremely kind, helpful, and available throughout the whole trip. He made everything much easier for us and was always patient and professional. I really appreciated his attitude and would definitely recommend him to anyone visiting Beijing. Thank you so much for the great service!
Very fun and educational tour. The Guide was super kind and informative we had a great time.
Our guide, Song, was exceptional. He took us to the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, and throughout the entire tour he was very attentive, friendly, and professional. He explained everything in great detail and made sure we understood the history and all the important information. He was always happy to answer our questions. We also want to thank our driver, who was very kind and attentive throughout the trip. We highly recommend Song, especially because he speaks Spanish, which made our experience much more enjoyable and comfortable.
Great tours and driving. My kids and I loved this experience. Private tour recommended. Ask for May as your guide. A+
Our tour guide, Jenna, was so friendly, incredibly knowledgeable with valuable tips, and suited all our ages groups! She made our tour memorable and even went out of her way to take fabulous photos of our family - incredibly thankful for this experience xx
I was only in China for a day and a half and this was perfect private tour- just what I wanted. Did it through Viator and “Catherine Wu” tours. I got picked up right at my hotel by the driver Mr. Lee who was very nice. My personal tour guide was James and he spoke great English. He took care of everything for me and planned it out perfectly. We got to do all the major things and even had a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Finally being at the Great Wall after never thinking I would get there was amazing. He took photos of me too. I promised him at the end I would come back 1 day with my fiancée and future kids. Lol
An incredible day private tour with our wonderful guide Angel, and driver Mr Chen. An incredible day, we truly enjoyed every moment of the experience. Our driver, Mr. Chen, was professional, punctual, and made every journey comfortable and stress-free. Our tour guide, Angel, was knowledgeable, friendly, and shared fascinating insights about the history and culture throughout the day. She was attentive to our interests and helped make the tour both informative and enjoyable. Thank you, Mr. Chen and Angel, for your outstanding service and for making our visit to Beijing so memorable. Step by step detail for those who want it….. Our day began with a 7:30am pickup from our hotel, where Angel greeted us with a warm smile and immediately made us feel welcome. We were then introduced to Mr. Chen, who drove us in a spacious, luxury air-conditioned vehicle, with cold water provided throughout the day for added comfort. Our first stop was Tiananmen Square. Thanks to Angel’s excellent planning, we avoided the queues and walked straight in. Arriving early meant the square was pleasantly cool and far less crowded, allowing us to enjoy the experience as we walked from the south side to the north. We then entered the Forbidden City, where Angel truly brought the history to life. Her knowledge, enthusiasm, and storytelling made every courtyard and building fascinating. She was flexible, friendly, and attentive throughout the day, tailoring the experience to our interests and making us feel completely at ease. She was simply the perfect guide. After the Forbidden City, Mr. Chen was waiting to take us to lunch, which was an unexpected highlight of the day. The food was absolutely incredible, and it was a real treat to enjoy authentic local dishes alongside local residents rather than at a tourist restaurant. In the afternoon, we headed to the Great Wall. We took the cable car up and walked all the way to Watchtower 21, taking in the spectacular views along the way before returning. At the end of the day, Mr. Chen was there to collect us and drive us safely and comfortably back to our hotel. We cannot thank Angel and Mr. Chen enough for their professionalism, kindness, and exceptional service. They made our day in Beijing truly unforgettable.
Jenny was super friendly and energetic. She showed us both of these incredible historic sites explained in detail the history and nuggets of information. And gave a little details on how modern life on Beijing looks like. But most importantly she adjusted to our pace and preferences which we truly appreciate
Jenny was super friendly and energetic. She showed us both of these incredible historic sites explained in detail the history and nuggets of information. And gave a little details on how modern life on Beijing looks like. But most importantly she adjusted to our pace and preferences which we truly appreciate
This was our best guided tour ever. We booked the Forbidden City and the Great Wall tour and this was the best choice for this day. They pick you up in the hotel and you have an exclusive car driving you around and it makes everything super smooth. Kathy, our guide for the day, was phenomenal! She explained very well all the history behind the places we visited, was always super friendly and patient, and went above and beyond with all our questions and asks. If you are looking for a tour guide in Beijing, don’t look any further. You will not regret.
Our tour in Beijing was absolutely perfectly organized. Everything was on time, smooth, and without any issues. Both the guide James and the driver were absolutely fantastic – very professional, kind, and helpful throughout the whole day. We really appreciated the amount of information we received; the guide was very knowledgeable and made the experience both interesting and enjoyable. The restaurants chosen for us were excellent. Both lunch and dinner were absolutely outstanding – in fact, it was the best food we had during our entire 14-day trip to Japan and Beijing. Overall, everything exceeded our expectations and we are very grateful for the excellent organization and service. Rating of the guide: 5/5 (Excellent)
We had a great time with our guide Jenny from Catherine Lu tours. She was very flexible with the itinerary and made sure to take extra care with my 77 year old mother to make sure she had the best experience possible at the Great Wall. I would absolutely do this tour again in the future.
Thank you Jenny, for your professional and kind support.
Our guide was sooo nervous ce and kind, she had explained every steps of the tour. It was awesome to visit the forbidden city with such a good guide. Every time she showed us details the stories behind the walls.
We had a fabulous tour with Justin. He was welcoming, informative and gave us key details about each place. We had a really personalised tour and he was so patient. The lunch was really delicious too! Highly recommended.
I had an amazing day and tour to the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square. Edward was the best tour guide. Very knowledgeable and friendly and was willing to take pictures. I would definitely recommend this tour again and with Edward.
Highly recommend Catherine Lu tours due to their exceptional customer service and versatility in services. Special thanks to Lena who made every location a learning experience!
I had an amazing experience on the tour with Catherine. The places included were absolutely worth it, and her explanations helped me truly understand the history of China. She managed the schedule perfectly, so we optimized our time without feeling rushed. Catherine is very professional, kind, and extremely pleasant to be around. I highly recommend her tour.
I travel a lot to China on business, so it was such a treat to spend a day in Beijing to see the sights for my very first time! I booked a tour through a Marriott experience and was fortunate enough to have Catherine Lu Tours handle my reservation. We were assigned to Jenny and her driver, and we had the safest, most informative visit to Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, and ending with The Great Wall. The experience was so great, it felt as though we gained new family by the end of the day.
Had a great private tour with my host Amy. Everything ran super smoothly. We did the Great Wall early which was a great idea to avoid the crowds. Forbidden city was amazing especially with the insights from Amy. Happy to recommend this tour
Wendy was an amazing guide! Her deep knowledge of Beijing’s culture, Tiananmen Square, and the Great Wall made the day unforgettable. As a native speaker of English, her clear communication made everything easy and enjoyable. When I wasn’t feeling well, Wendy was incredibly patient and caring—offering rest breaks and even finding green tea to help settle my stomach. I felt completely safe, comfortable, and cared for throughout the tour. Wendy’s professionalism, warmth, and passion made this experience exceptional. Highly recommend her to anyone visiting Beijing!
I had a wonderful time with James. He went at my pace, no pressure, no rush. He took the time to explain everything and educate me regarding Chinese history and ancient traditions. 100% recommended.
We booked a full day excursion with Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and Summer Palace plus a full day to the Great Wall at Jinshanling. Our guide Justin was excellent, good English en knowledgeable. He also gave us ample time to enjoy on our own and choose great lunch places for our breaks. All in all, 2 excellent days!
I had a truly wonderful one-day tour with Maggie. Everything was flawless from start to finish. She is organized and efficient. The service was punctual, with no delays or complications whatsoever, and communication was excellent throughout the entire process. Choosing a private tour made all the difference — it allowed me to learn more about each site, ask questions freely, and go at my own pace. Maggie was attentive and perceptive. Noticing my interest in traditional Chinese vases, she took the time to explain the history of Chinese enamel and even brought me to a local workshop where I could see the production process firsthand and purchase a piece of my own. It was a truly special experience. I now have a unique and meaningful souvenir — a piece of Beijing that I will cherish forever, even from the other side of the world. Highly recommended!
My family and I had a great experience with Adam. He was friendly, patient, and so well-studied and knowledgable about the history and culture of the sites we visited. The next time we come we may take a whole half-day just at the Great Wall--that was the shortest but most inspiring and jaw-dropping part of the tour. Thanks very much Adam for the company and conversation, and thanks to Catherine Lu Tours for arranging it all!
I’ve been wanting to come to China all my life and I finally got here with my 12 year old son. I booked a one day tour of Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City and The Great Wall and I’m glad I did because navigating them on my own would have been impossible. It was July when we took our tour, and it was very hot and humid but our guide James and the driver took good care of us and made sure we had enough water and were comfortable. The car was air conditioned and very nice and the driver was very safe. James was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable. It was all incredible but highlight for us was definitely the Wall - I have been dreaming about it since I learned about it in school and it was even more amazing than I’d imagined. I think I’ve now passed my fascination with China and the history here down to my son! After the forbidden city and Tiananmen Square portion of the trip we stopped at a restaurant that was excellent and James made sure we had dishes we would enjoy. My son has declared kung pao chicken to be his new favourite food. Overall we just had the most wonderful day and wish we could go back and do it all again. Note: there is a lot of walking so make sure you wear comfortable shoes!
Justin met me at my hotel lobby early and we started at the Forbidden City and Square, then we made our way to the Great Wall. Justin was very helpful in explaining everything and with my interaction with the locals. Making the experience wonderful. Our driver was always on time, with cold water and drove safely to all destinations. Everything was a 10 of 10
Iris is an awesome tourist guide. She gives us valuable information and takes us to an amazing places. I totally recommend her.
Lu the driver was very nice to us and very supportive. The great wall is truly amazing. We took cable car from stage 14 and walked to stage 20. If you are fit I would suggest to walk your way back to stage 7 and take the other line. That's the only thing we didn't know and potentially would have been more convenient if someone told us.
Adam is the best tour guide that can be found in Beijing. He gave us a lot of useful information and such a depth of the history of this great country. We had a great time and a unforgettable experience
This was hands down one of the best tours I’ve ever been on! From start to finish, everything went flawlessly. I was picked up right on time from my hotel and treated with such respect—it honestly felt like royal treatment. My tour guide, James, was amazing. He was down to earth, super knowledgeable, and had a great sense of humor that made the whole day even more enjoyable. We visited iconic landmarks like the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), and James made sure we captured every moment with tons of photos. He shared so much history and insight at each stop—it was like traveling with a friend who also happens to be a history expert! The tour happened to fall on my birthday, and they made it incredibly special. They wished me a happy birthday and even surprised me with a birthday cake! It meant so much, and I truly felt celebrated. Lunch was delicious, the pacing was perfect, and the entire experience was smooth and stress-free. I have zero complaints—just gratitude for such an incredible day. If you're planning a trip to Beijing, do not miss out on this tour. Book it—you won’t regret it! And if you can, ask for James. I recommend him 1000%. He’s simply the best! Thank you again for making my birthday so memorable! 🙌🎉
Peter was an outstanding guide. His command of English and extensive experience made everything glide effortlessly despite the lines and people at all attractions. It even transcended to the very spots where the best photos can be had!!! For those looking to maximize opportunistic occasions, I'd recommend Peter for all age groups and in particular, for those specifically seeking seasonal opportunities, Peter is to your goto guide.
My sister and I had an amazing experience visiting the Great Wall of China and Forbidden City. Catherine provided all information before we arriving in Beijing and organized our itinerary. Our guide Peter was amazing explaining the history of each place we visited. The driver was also very kind. I strongly recommend organized your trip with Catherine Lu Tours. Cyntia.
Couldn't have asked for better. Peter was knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. All the planning and details were arranged, customized the itinerary for our needs, great local restaurants for lunch. I highly recommend. Thanks Peter!
A nice experience with our tour guide Tony. He is a very good tour guide, good English, knowlegible, considerate. WE enjoyed so much.
Justin Wan did an incredible job, his English was excellent and explanation and knowledge of history is great, great personality and incredible friendly person. A truly wonderful and life experience in tiamen square, forbidden city and of course life experience on the great wall of China. Justin did a wonderfu jobl and truly a 5 star experience. Our sincere thanks to him. Robert J Kumar
We had a wonderful experience! Peter, our tour guide, was friendly and spoke great English, which helped us understand more about the attractions and historic sites. The trip was really well organized, so we could relax and soak in all the sights. Peter shared interesting stories about the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, and other attractions, which helped us appreciate them even more. He also suggested trying local restaurants, and we loved the delicious food we discovered. Overall, it was a fantastic tour that left us with great memories, highly recommend!
Our guide Liza from Catherine Lu tours was great! We had a wonderful 1 day tour to Tianamen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall. Fun time & she was great. Look for her for your next trip!
Write your review Review tips Peter led us on an informative and enjoyable tour! He was deeply interested in history and made passionate connections between the sights and the stories behind them. He paced the tour well and kept us (an elderly 2 teenagers and me) all in good and strategic time, so we could capture iconic photos, sans the crowd. We trooped from the Great Wall, to the palace museum, summer palace, Tiananmen, Temple of Heaven and the food the went along with the trip! An affable, knowledgeable and adaptable tour guide is key to a memorable private tour and that was who Peter is. A history major myself, listening to him was a walk down memory lane of learning and lessons of the past, in quick and concise doses. Thank you Peter!
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