Classic Beijing
3 Day Beijing tour visiting all the Classic Beijing attractions.
3-Day Classic Beijing Private Tour
3-Day Beijing Private Tour — Great Wall · Forbidden City · Temple of Heaven · Summer Palace
- Private MPV van & driver throughout
- All entrance tickets included
- Chairlift at Mutianyu Great Wall
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Rickshaw ride through the Hutongs
- No forced shopping stops
3-Day Classic Beijing Private Tour
Three days. One of the world's great capital cities. And more history than most people see in a lifetime.
Beijing has been the seat of Chinese civilisation for over 700 years — and this classic 3-day private tour takes you through the very heart of it. From the vast expanse of Tiananmen Square and the 500-year-old imperial halls of the Forbidden City, to the breathtaking watchtowers of the Great Wall at Mutianyu, the serene gardens of the Summer Palace, and the ancient circular hall where emperors once prayed at the Temple of Heaven — every day of this tour is packed with some of the most extraordinary sights on earth.
This is a 100% private tour — just your group, your licensed English-speaking guide, and your private driver. No groups, no rushed schedules, no forced shopping stops. Everything runs at your pace, and everything can be adjusted to suit your interests and energy levels on the day.
Three days is the perfect amount of time to see Beijing properly without feeling rushed. We've been running this itinerary for years — it works.
Tour Highlights
Three days packed with Beijing's greatest landmarks — from the vast sweep of Tiananmen Square and the imperial grandeur of the Forbidden City, to the Great Wall at Mutianyu and the serene Summer Palace gardens. All private, all at your pace, with a licensed English-speaking guide by your side throughout.
Tiananmen Square One of the world's largest public squares — flanked by iconic landmarks and steeped in 700 years of Chinese imperial history.
Forbidden City The world's largest imperial palace complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — 500 years of history you have to see to believe.
Jingshan Park Views Climb to the pavilion at the summit for a breathtaking bird's-eye panorama of the entire Forbidden City — the best viewpoint in Beijing.
Hutong Rickshaw & Coffee Stop Explore Beijing's ancient Hutong alleyways, then duck into a hidden courtyard coffee shop tucked inside a centuries-old hutong home.
Lama Temple Beijing's most magnificent Tibetan Buddhist temple — gilded rooftops, towering Buddha statues, and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the city.
Great Wall at Mutianyu One of the most scenic and well-preserved sections of the Great Wall — fewer crowds, spectacular views, and a toboggan ride back down.
Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium The iconic 2008 Olympic stadium — one of the most recognisable pieces of modern architecture in the world and a fascinating contrast to ancient Beijing.
Summer Palace A UNESCO-listed imperial garden retreat — lakes, pavilions, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and Longevity Hill. An hour here disappears without you noticing.
Authentic Peking Duck Your guide takes you to a local favourite — the kind of place Beijingers actually eat at. Crispy skin, tender meat, and all the trimmings. A true Beijing classic.
Temple of Heaven A UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 1400s — the iconic circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is one of China's most photographed and revered landmarks.
No Hidden Costs or Shopping Stops All entrance fees and transport included — no surprises. And we never take guests to commission shops. Your time is spent sightseeing, not being sold to.
Expert Local Guides Fully licensed, fluent in English, and passionate about Beijing's history and culture. Our guides don't just show you the sights — they bring them to life.Day-by-Day Itinerary
Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutongs & Lama Temple
Meet at Your Beijing Hotel
Your private guide and driver will meet you at your hotel lobby in central/downtown Beijing. Please note our standard pick-up area covers hotels within the 4th Ring Road — if your hotel is located outside this area, a small additional transfer fee may apply. Not sure if your hotel qualifies? Contact us before booking and we'll confirm.
Tiananmen Square
Begin at one of the world's largest public squares — the symbolic heart of modern China. Flanked by the Great Hall of the People and the Monument to the People's Heroes, Tiananmen is a powerful and photogenic place to start the day. Cross through the iconic Tiananmen Gate and you're standing at the entrance to one of the greatest historical sites on earth.
Beijing Tour HighlightForbidden City/ Palace Museum — UNESCO World Heritage Site
Step inside the world's largest imperial palace complex — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as the seat of Chinese power for nearly 500 years. The grand ceremonial halls, ornate pavilions, and vast golden courtyards are genuinely extraordinary. Even if you've seen the photos a hundred times, nothing prepares you for the scale of it in person.
Beijing Must To See MuseumJingshan Park — Panoramic Views
A short walk from the Forbidden City, climb to the pavilion at the summit of Jingshan Park for a breathtaking bird's-eye panorama straight down over the entire Forbidden City complex. One of the most photographed viewpoints in all of Beijing — and well worth every step up.
Peking Duck Lunch & Hutong Coffee Stop
Your guide takes you to a local favourite for Beijing's most iconic dish — Peking Duck at a place Beijingers actually go to, not a tourist trap restaurant. After lunch, stroll through the ancient Beijing Hutong alleyways — over 700 years of history in these narrow lanes. We'll make a stop at a hidden courtyard café tucked inside one of these centuries-old homes, with lovely views or the kind of atmosphere you won't find on a group tour.
Authentic Beijing food Hidden Gem Cafe Lunch at your own costLama Temple
End the day at Beijing's most magnificent Tibetan Buddhist temple — the Lama Temple (Yonghegong). The gilded rooftops, towering Buddha statues, intricate carvings, and centuries of religious history make it one of the most visually stunning temples in all of China. A calm and impressive way to close a packed first day.
Beijing Tour HighlightReturn to Your Beijing Hotel
Your driver will drop you back at your hotel to rest up before Day 2.
Conquer the Great Wall of China
Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall
Your guide and driver collect you from your hotel for the drive out to Mutianyu — one of the most scenic and well-preserved sections of the Great Wall, and far less crowded than Badaling. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hours and is a great time to ask your guide anything you're curious about.
Explore the Great Wall of China — UNESCO World Heritage Site
Ride the chairlift to the top and take your time walking the ramparts, exploring the watchtowers, and soaking in the sweeping views over the surrounding countryside. The Great Wall at Mutianyu is a genuine bucket-list moment — and the toboggan ride back down to the base is a highlight in itself. Both chairlift and toboggan are included.
New 7 Wonders Of The WorldLunch at local restaurant
Have a late lunch near the base of the wall before heading back to Beijing city.
Lunch at your own costYour Choice — Bird's Nest or Qianmen Avenue
On the way back into central Beijing, choose based on what interests you most. The iconic Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium is one of the world's most recognisable modern buildings — a great photo stop and striking contrast to the ancient wall. Or if you'd prefer something more local, head to Qianmen Avenue — one of Beijing's oldest commercial streets — and wander into Xianyukou Snack Street for some of Beijing's most famous street food.
Your ChoiceReturn to Your Beijing Hotel
Transfer back to your hotel. Rest up — you've earned it after a full day on the wall.
Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace & Local Market
Morning at Temple of Heaven Park — Local Beijing Life
Begin your final day with something most tourists miss entirely. Before entering the Temple of Heaven itself, take a stroll through the surrounding park in the morning — this is where local Beijingers come every day to practice Tai Chi, ballroom dancing, calligraphy, and traditional music. It's a genuinely wonderful slice of everyday Beijing life and one of those quiet moments that stays with you long after the trip is over.
Beijing Local lifeTemple of Heaven — UNESCO World Heritage Site
Step inside one of China's most breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Built in the early 1400s during the Ming Dynasty, the Temple of Heaven is where emperors performed sacred ceremonies to pray for a good harvest. The iconic circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests — with its triple-tiered blue roof — is one of the most photographed landmarks in all of China. Stunning in person.
Must To Do in BeijingLunch at a Local Restaurant
Your guide will recommend a good local restaurant based on what you feel like.
Lunch at your own costSummer Palace — UNESCO World Heritage Site
Head to the magnificent Summer Palace — the UNESCO-listed imperial garden retreat that was the royal family's escape from city life. Set around the vast Kunming Lake, the complex is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape design. Wander through pavilions, covered walkways, and lush gardens — see the famous Seventeen-Arch Bridge, Stone Boat, and Longevity Hill. Give yourself plenty of time here — an hour disappears without you noticing.
Beijing Must To SeeYour Choice — 798 Art Zone or Hongqiao Pearl Market
Round off the tour based on your personal interests. Art lovers will enjoy a wander through the 798 Art Zone — Beijing's creative hub set inside converted factory buildings, full of contemporary galleries, street art, and independent cafés. If you'd rather pick up last-minute gifts, the nearby Hongqiao Pearl Market is a great local market for souvenirs, pearls, and snacks.
Your ChoiceEnd of Tour
Your 3-Day Classic Beijing Private Tour is complete. We can drop you back at your hotel, Beijing Capital Airport, or Beijing Railway Station — just let us know your onward plans when booking. It's been a pleasure having you in Beijing with Wendy Wei Tours.
3-Day Classic Beijing Private Tour
Travelling with a larger group? Contact us for a custom quote.
- Private transfer & driver throughout the tour
- All entrance and attraction fees in the itinerary
- Chairlift & toboggan at Mutianyu Great Wall
- Professional licensed English-speaking guide
- Coffee break at a local hutong café
- Bottled water throughout the tour
- Meals (guide will recommend great local options)
- Tips & gratuities for guide and driver
- Hotel accommodation (available on request)
- Flights & travel insurance
- Personal expenses during the tour
- Entrance fees for attractions outside the itinerary
- Overtime fees — tour is based on 9 hours service
A note on gratuities: We never require a set daily tip or force tipping in any way. If your guide and driver have done a great job, a gratuity at the end of the tour is always appreciated — but entirely at your discretion.
Real Reviews from Real Travellers
★★★★★ 5.0 · 630+ Reviews · 99.1% Excellence · TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Winner 2025My partner and I just did a wonderful three-day Beijing tour with Wendy Wei Tours. Our guide Linda was very knowledgeable and passionate about all the sites we visited and made the experience fun. It's definitely a plus to have someone guide you through the crowds at places like the Forbidden City! If I get back to China again I'll definitely book another tour and recommend the company to anyone visiting Beijing.
Travelling with three young kids is hard work but Wendy made this so easy. Everything was sorted, totally at our pace, no stress at all. Our guide Amy kept the kids entertained the whole time. The Hutong rickshaw ride with dumpling-making was definitely the highlight for the kids. My daughter cried when she found out Amy wasn't coming with us after the tour finished — says it all really! If you're thinking about booking a private tour in Beijing with young kids, just do it.
We had a private 3-day tour in Beijing organised by Sherry, and our guide was Linda. We saw so much more than we would have done on our own. Sherry organised things beautifully and even helped with a last-minute airport transfer. Linda had excellent English and a wealth of knowledge. Our driver Mr Liu's patience in the Beijing traffic was second to none — we never felt unsafe despite the madness!
Why Choose Wendy Wei Tours?
