Beijing Essentials: Wall, Palace & Hutongs

4 Days · Fully Private · from $429/person (based on 2 travelers) · Free customization

Overview

This is Beijing done right: the icons without the tour-bus circus, plus the living city most visitors miss. You'll walk a quiet stretch of the Great Wall at Mutianyu, hear the Forbidden City explained as a story rather than a list of dates, and end a day the way locals do — around a dinner table in a hutong courtyard home. Private car, private guide, your pace.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival & First Taste of the Hutongs

Your guide meets you at Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX) airport. Check in, then ease in with an evening rickshaw ride through the Shichahai hutongs and dinner at a courtyard restaurant. We'll set up your phone for mobile payments so the rest of the trip is friction-free.

Meals: Dinner · Hotel: 4★ boutique near Wangfujing
Day 2

Mutianyu Great Wall, the Quiet Way

Early departure beats the crowds. Cable car up, 2–3 hours walking the most photogenic watchtowers, toboggan down if you're game. Farmhouse lunch in the valley, then back for a Peking duck dinner at a restaurant we actually eat at ourselves.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3

Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven

Skip-the-line entry at opening time, exploring emperor-by-emperor with your guide's storytelling. Afternoon at the Temple of Heaven where you'll join locals doing tai chi, calligraphy and jianzi. Evening free — we'll book you whatever you fancy.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4

Summer Palace & Departure

Morning boat across Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace, a last lakeside stroll, then private transfer to the airport with generous buffer time. Extending to Xi'an by bullet train? We'll make it seamless.

Meals: Breakfast

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is included in the price?
Private guide (licensed, English-speaking), private car with driver, all entrance tickets, meals as listed, 3 nights' accommodation, and both airport transfers. Not included: international flights, visa fees (if any), personal expenses. Your quote will itemize every line.
Can I use this tour on the 240-hour visa-free transit?
Yes — Beijing is a designated visa-free transit city. If you're connecting through Beijing to a third country, this 4-day itinerary fits comfortably inside the 240-hour window. We'll double-check your eligibility for free before you book anything.
Are there shopping stops?
No. Zero. Our guides are paid properly so they never need commissions. If YOU want to shop, they'll happily take you to honest places.
How do payments work?
20% deposit via PayPal, Wise or card to confirm; balance due 30 days before arrival. Free cancellation up to 45 days out, transparent sliding scale after that — full terms in your quote.

Get This Tour, Your Way

from $429/person · itemized quote within 24 hours

No payment now. No spam. Just a proposal.

  • Licensed English-speaking private guide
  • Private vehicle & airport transfers
  • All entrance tickets pre-booked
  • No forced shopping — guaranteed in writing
  • 24/7 WhatsApp support during your trip
  • Unlimited free itinerary revisions

Want Xi'an or Shanghai added on?

Most travelers extend this into a 9-day Golden Triangle by bullet train. We'll price both versions side by side.

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