Discover Trip.com’s FREE Beijing layover tour for transit passengers, top 3 Beijing attractions, how to book a Beijing day tour/ticket (Forbidden City, the Great Wall), and practical tips for sightseeing. Plan your trip to Beijing with ease.
[5% OFF] Beijing Tour Packages & Reviews
Get 5% off when you book Beijing tours—including day trips to the Great Wall, Forbidden City visits, or even Universal Studios Beijing packages! See more Beijing day tour.
![[Small Group] Universal Studios Beijing Resort Day Trip / Butler Service · Professional Guided Tour](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0350p12000ogbhnoqF6CE_C_750_480.jpg)
[Small Group] Universal Studios Beijing Resort Day Trip / Butler Service · Professional Guided Tour
4.3/5
1 reviewsOur Universal Studios Beijing tour guide was outstanding—knowledgeable, friendly, and very well organized. They managed time efficiently, explained attractions clearly, and helped us skip unnecessary waits. The experience was smooth, enjoyable, and stress-free. Highly recommended for first-time visitors and families wanting the best park experience.
Full-Day Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with 5 Hours at the Site (ENG/ESP/RUS Guided Bus)
4.9/5
1034 reviewsThe tour was excellent. We really enjoyed our guide, Yulia. We learned a lot about China and the wall during the trip. We then had five hours of free time. We chose the red route and didn't regret it. The views were stunning, and the tallest tower of this section of the wall is also here. I definitely recommend it.
![A one-day tour of the Palace Museum in Beijing [Pre-sale for Chinese New Year, including admission | Detailed lectures by a scholar | Gift of precious artifacts]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0102h1200087d62rxDD6F_C_750_480.jpg)
A one-day tour of the Palace Museum in Beijing [Pre-sale for Chinese New Year, including admission | Detailed lectures by a scholar | Gift of precious artifacts]
4.9/5
155 reviewsIt’s a great experience going through forbidden city. Tour guide provided a vast information of the historical palace and the ancient emperor Qianlong, empress, concubines etc. It is an eye opening to have a chance to look at all the palace ancient stuffs and the place where the emperor has his meeting with the general etc.
Gubei Water Town Day Trip - & Optional Night Tour of Simatai Great Wall & Optional Lunch
4.8/5
36 reviewsI truly enjoyed the experience and was very impressed by the beautiful scenery, the atmosphere, and the well-organized itinerary.
Beijing Prince Kung's Palace Museum Half-Day Tour - Includes Admission Ticket for 10-Person Group/20-Person Group/Independent Traveler Group/Multiple Group Types
4.9/5
133 reviewsOur guide Mr Wang was extremely knowledgeable and humorous. It was an extremely informative tour, and he brought his own materials (prints) to supplement the tour to explain the history of the mansion. Great references to 还珠格格, the famous TV drama featuring a fictitious princess of the Qian Long emperor. You need to be quite fluent in Chinese and have a basic understanding of Chinese imperial history to truly appreciate what Mr Wang is sharing. Suitably impressed with the tour and I will recommend it to any history buff interested in the history of Qing dynasty.
Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Treasure Museum Small Group Tour
4.8/5
815 reviewsWe had the privilege of doing the entire tour with a talented Spanish-speaking guide. From ancient to modern China, she took us to every corner of this enormous square and the endless Forbidden City. Choose Alba as your guide. She not only made a long, tiring excursion enjoyable, but she also taught us the language and its alphabet. Even the wait at the security checkpoints was excellent. I will never forget this experience, and neither will my children. Thank you so much, Trip.com
Why Book Beijing Day Tours on Trip.com?
Official Partnerships
Trip.com works directly with local operators to ensure genuine tours (no scams).
Multilingual Support
English, Chinese, and other language services (helpful for international travelers).
Flexible Changes
Free cancellation or rescheduling for most tours (most up to 24 hours before departure).
All-Inclusive
Many tours include transport, tickets, and guides (no hidden fees).
🔥Free Beijing Layover Tour – Explore During Your Transit
If you’re an international traveler with an 8+ hour layover at Beijing Capital International Airport, Trip.com’s “Beijing Express” lets you see Beijing for free—no extra cost for transport, tickets, or guides. It’s perfect for making the most of your waiting time.
- Eligibility: International transit passengers with a layover of over 8 hours at Beijing Capital International Airport
- Two Free Routes (all times in Beijing time, GMT+8):
- 7:30–13:00: Journey to the Great Wall Tour: Departs airport → Visits Badaling Great Wall → Returns to airport (6.5 hours total)
- 13:30–21:00: Highlights Half-Day City Tour: Departs airport → Visits Temple of Heaven, Qianmen Street, Tiananmen Square → Returns to airport (7.5 hours total)
- How to Join: No online registration—sign up on-site at the International Arrival Hall (next to Manner Coffee) in Terminal 3 (first-come, first-served, based on tour bus capacity). Guides assist with sign-ups 1 hour before the tour starts.
Learn more and check updates: Trip.com Beijing Express Free Layover Tour
How to Book Day Tours in Beijing
Booking a day tour of Beijing on Trip.com is the easiest and safest way - you can get official guarantees, multilingual support and flexible choices. Whether you want a one-day tour of the Great Wall or a trip to a historic city, here are some suggestions.
- Go to Trip.com’s Attractions & Tours page or open the Trip.com app. Or directly check Beijing Day Tour page.
- Enter “Beijing”, Click Search (and it will recommend relevant Beijing attractions & tours on the rigt side).
- Filter by Day Tour tab, then choose Date, Meet-Up Method, and other inclusions.
- Select your favorite itinerary, fill in the traveler's details (passport information for international guests), and make the payment safely.
- Receive the confirmation email regarding the time, location and contact with the tour guide of the travel conference (save it for your trip).
Pro Tip: If you’re a transit passenger, pair your free layover tour (from Trip.com) with a day tour for extra exploration—both can be booked on Trip.com, so you can enjoy a seamless travel experience.
Top 4 Attractions for Your Beijing Tour
Beijing has dozens of attractions, but these 3 are must-sees for first-timers—they showcase the city’s history and culture, and many are covered in Trip.com’s tours.
1. Badaling Great Wall
- Highlight: One of the most well-preserved sections of the Great Wall, with easy access and stunning mountain views. It’s included in Trip.com’s free layover “Journey to the Great Wall Tour.”
- Best Time to Visit: March to May (mild weather) or September to November (clear sky). Avoid summer crowds.
- How to Book Tickets: Included in Trip.com’s great wall day tours. For independent travel, can also book tickets on Trip.com (avoids long on-site lines).
Badaling Great Wall Tickets & Reviews
4.7/5
12091 reviews
5/5
I bought an admission ticket and a round-trip gondola ticket. It was easy to understand and convenient. You can exchange it for a ticket at the general reception desk at the boarding point.
5/5
Great view.good walk.
5/5
Great view. Worth to visit. Remember to buy souvenir too.
5/5
I traveled to Beijing to see the Great Wall, and it was truly moving. It's so long and magnificent, and I'm so glad I visited! I traveled in January, so it was snowing and very cold, and the snow made it very slippery and scary to walk on. But it was worth it, and as others have said, I recommend going when you're young.
5/5
A good historical place to visit if the weather is cool but not windy. Cable car just takes 5 minutes to go up or go down. so suggest take one way of cable car to earn better experiences.
2. Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
- Highlight: The former imperial palace of China’s emperors—home to 186,000+ cultural relics. A must for history lovers.
- Best Time to Visit: 8:30–10:00 AM (fewer crowds); closed on Mondays (except public holidays).
- How to Book Tickets: Must book in advance (up to 7 days early) on Trip.com or the Palace Museum’s official site. Bring your passport (international travelers) for entry.
Forbidden City Tickets & Reviews
4.8/5
48701 reviews
5/5
A very nice attraction, but you should plan plenty of time because there's a lot to see. Lots of great photo spots.
5/5
Registration is fast, the main thing is to have time to book before 10pm. Important information for those who are not Chinese citizens: there are no registration requirements for 7 days and so on. These requirements are only if you have a Chinese ID card. All foreign citizens can buy tickets in a day, as we did
5/5
The Palace Museum is beautiful, with stunning views from every angle. However, it can be challenging to visit with elderly people who have difficulty moving around. From the subway exit or the taxi drop-off point, it's at least 800 meters to the Meridian Gate entrance; in addition, many gates have high thresholds, which can be quite strenuous for seniors.
5/5
A must visit when you are in Beijing, really interesting and really big place, you can tour for hours here and they also have audio guides for you to rent, really beautiful place full of history.
5/5
The guided tour of the Palace Museum was an excellent experience overall. The content was professional and clearly structured, making the historical background and stories of the artifacts vivid and engaging, ensuring the visit wasn't just a superficial glance. The pacing was also excellent, providing depth of knowledge without being tedious. Highly recommended.
3. Temple of Heaven
- Highlight: An ancient imperial complex where emperors prayed for good harvests—famous for its circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. It’s part of Trip.com’s free layover “Highlights Half-Day City Tour.”
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning (watch locals do tai chi) or late afternoon (golden light on buildings).
- How to Book Tickets: Book on Trip.com (skip on-site queues) or buy at the gate (cash/online payment accepted).
Temple of Heaven Tickets & Reviews
4.7/5
4542 reviews4/5
It was incredibly crowded, making it impossible to properly see and photograph the Temple of Heaven, but everything else was fantastic. I wanted to borrow an audio guide, but since it couldn't be verified with my phone, I couldn't borrow it directly, which was a real shame. I hope there can be more flexibility in the process.
5/5
It's a hassle to receive a QR code with an e-ticket.
5/5
It was a bit crowded, but the view was amazing. It felt like walking in a palace, like in a TV series.
5/5
The place is breathtaking! Absolutely beautiful
5/5
the restrooms is nice, clean and good to visit
4. Universal Studios Beijing
- Highlight: If you want fun after visiting historical spots, this is the place. It’s a world-class theme park with 7 areas, including Harry Potter’s Hogsmeade (where you can ride the Hogwarts Express and drink butterbeer), Transformers Metrobase, and Jurassic World. It’s great for families, couples, or anyone who loves movies and roller coasters.
- Best Time to Visit: Go on a weekday (Tuesday–Thursday) to avoid weekend crowds. Early spring (March–April) or late autumn (October–November) is best—weather is cool, and you won’t sweat through long waits for rides. Avoid public holidays (like Chinese New Year)—lines can be 2–3 hours long for popular attractions.
- How to Book Tickets: Book directly on Trip.com—they often have package deals (like “ticket + hotel near the park” or “fast pass bundles”) that save money.
Universal Studios Beijing Tickets & Reviews
4.6/5
18509 reviews
5/5
Отличное место! Следует проявить терпение во время очередей на аттракционы, но в большинстве на табличках перед входом, написано примерное время ожидания + очередь двигается достаточно быстро. Атмосфера непередаваемая, словно погружается в другой мир. Аттракционы тоже выше всяких похвал, очень все понравилось. Лавки в зоне Гарри Поттера — отдельное удовольствие, в особенности для тех,кто фанат этого произведения. Добраться можно самостоятельно на метро, все интуитивно понятно. Билеты лучше покупать заранее, и ехать, по возможности, когда нет праздников и не в выходные, чтобы в большей степени насладиться
5/5
The prices are great, and you don't need to buy a Fast Pass here because the rides don't take long to connect.
5/5
It was magical 🥰 I was happy to visit Hogsmeade❤️
5/5
Зона Гарри Поттера прекрасна, только долго на Гиппогрифа стоять. Весь парк интересен, но дороговато, так как всё не успеваешь обойти из-за очередей. В сумме в низкий сезон на стояние в них мы потратили 6 часов из 12. Но это беда всех подобных парков.
5/5
It was so much fun! We went in January, and it was very cold. We didn't buy the fast track pass, but there weren't many people that day, so we were able to ride all the rides. I recommend going to the air-conditioned zone first; it tends to be crowded, so it's best to go there early to experience everything.
What Is the Best Way to Tour Beijing?
The best way to tour Beijing depends on your travel style, time, and needs—here are the top options, with Trip.com recommendations:
1. For Transit Passengers: Trip.com’s Free Layover Tour
If you have 8+ hours between flights, this is the best choice. It’s free, time-efficient, and includes all key logistics (transport, tickets, guides). You don’t need to plan anything—just sign up at the airport.
2. For First-Time Visitors: 3–4 Day Guided Tour
A tour with a guide can relieve the pressure of planning. Trip.com's 3-4 day Beijing tour includes all major attractions (the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven), including accommodation (some, not all incl this), transportation, and an English-speaking guide. If you want to learn about the history of Beijing from experts, this is an ideal choice.
3. For Free Travelers: Customized Self-Guided Tour
If you prefer flexibility, you can book single ticket (for the Great Wall and the Forbidden City) and local transportation on Trip.com. Plan a 3-day itinerary: the first day (Forbidden City + Tiananmen Square), the second day (Great Wall), and the third day (Temple of Heaven + Qianmen Street). The Trip.com app features maps and scenic spot tips that can help you navigate.
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442212 booked
How to Get Around Beijing as a Tourist
Beijing has a convenient transport system—here’s how to use it easily, with tips for tourists:
1. Airport Transport
- Airport Express: Connects Beijing Capital International Airport to downtown (30 minutes to Dongzhimen Station). Buy tickets at the airport or use the “Yitongxing” app (mobile payment).
- Trip.com’s Free Layover Tour Transport: Included—no need to book extra; the tour bus picks you up at the airport.
2. Subway
- Coverage: Beijing’s subway reaches most tourist attractions (e.g., Line 1 to Tiananmen Square, Line 8 to Temple of Heaven).
- How to Use: Download the “Yitongxing” app (add a payment method for easy entry) or buy a single-ride ticket at stations (¥3–¥10, depending on distance).
3. Taxis & Ride-Hailing
- Taxis: Start at ¥13 (3 km); add ¥2.3 per km after that. Look for official taxis (blue/green/red) with meters.
- Ride-Hailing: Use the Didi app (English version available) for cheaper fares and easier booking. Enter your destination in English (e.g., “Forbidden City South Gate”).
4. Tour Buses to Attractions
- For attractions like the Great Wall (Mutianyu section) or Summer Palace, book a round-trip shuttle bus on Trip.com. It’s cheaper than taxis and more reliable than public buses.
How to Book Tickets to Tiananmen Square, Great Wall & Forbidden City
Booking tickets in advance saves time and avoids disappointment—here’s how to book each key attraction, with Trip.com tips:
Attraction | How to Book Tickets | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
Tiananmen Square | No ticket needed, but must register (for international travelers: show passport at the entry gate). Trip.com’s guided tours include registration assistance. | Arrive early (8:00–9:00 AM) to avoid security lines; no large bags allowed. |
Great Wall (Badaling) | Included in Trip.com’s free layover tour or day tours. For independent travel: book on Trip.com (valid for 1 day; scan QR code to enter). | Badaling is busy—book Trip.com’s “early access” tour to beat crowds. |
Great Wall (Mutianyu) | Book a “bus + ticket” package on Trip.com (includes round-trip transport from downtown and entry ticket). | Mutianyu has a cable car (book separately on Trip.com) for easy access. |
Forbidden City | Book on Trip.com or the Palace Museum’s official site (up to 7 days in advance). Select a time slot (e.g., 8:30–10:30 AM) and bring your passport. | No on-site ticket sales—advance booking is mandatory. |
What to Prepare for a Trip to China?
- Visa & Entry Tips China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy now covers 54 countries, incl. the US, UK, Canada, and Brazil, allowing up to 10 days during layovers. Learn more about China Entry Tips to land in China easily.
- Getting Connected VPNs are vital for accessing Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, etc in China. Set one up before arriving. China eSIMs are the easiest option for data and bypassing restrictions. Pocket Wi-Fi devices work best for group but are pricier and require pickup/return.
- Money Exchange & Tax Refunds Exchange money in China banks (better rates than airports). ATMs accept foreign cards, but notify your bank first. For tax refunds, spend over ¥500 at stores with a "Tax-Free" sign. Keep receipts and get forms stamped at customs before departure.
Must-Have Apps in China
- China Payment Apps Forget cash. Chinese use Alipay (I like it better) or WeChat Pay to pay for everything in China. Scan a QR code at noodle stalls, metros, even temples. Link your foreign Visa/Mastercard before landing.
- China Map Apps Amap (Gaode Map) & Baidu Map (limited English) is what locals use, with real-time navigation, metro/bus routes, and traffic updates. Apple Maps does a good job too if you're already an IOS user.
- China Transport Apps Street taxis are cheap, but drivers rarely speak English. Use China Taxi App like DiDi (China’s Uber)—set your destination in English, pay by Alipay.
- China Travel Apps 15+ China trips taught me: Use Trip.com. It's the best English app for booking China trains/flights/hotels + finds Trip.com deals.
- China Dating Apps Locals use Tantan (China’s Tinder) and Momo. WeChat’s “People Nearby” works too, but expect language barriers unless your Mandarin’s decent.
- China Food App Use Meituan (also helps find nearby restaurants) or Ele.me for food delivery—both have English mode. No English menu in restaurants? Scan the QR with Alipay's translator.
[8% OFF] Beijing Hotel Recommendations
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FAQs about Beijing Tour
Do you need a tour guide for Beijing?
Yes, it’s recommended—especially for historical attractions (Forbidden City, Great Wall). Trip.com’s tours include English-speaking guides who explain the history and culture, making your visit more meaningful. For independent travel, you can book a 1-day guide on Trip.com.Can you tour China without a guide?
Yes, but it’s harder for first-timers (language barriers, advance ticket requirements). Trip.com’s “self-guided packages” help—they include tickets, transport, and 24/7 customer support (English available) so you can travel independently with peace of mind.How many days in Beijing for first timers?
3–4 days is ideal. This lets you visit all top attractions: Day 1 (Forbidden City + Tiananmen Square), Day 2 (Great Wall), Day 3 (Temple of Heaven + Qianmen Street), Day 4 (Summer Palace or hutongs). Book a 3–4 day tour on Trip.com to save time.Are taxis cheap in Beijing?
Taxis are affordable for short trips (e.g., ¥20–¥30 from downtown to Temple of Heaven). For long trips (e.g., downtown to Great Wall), they’re expensive (¥200–¥300). Instead, book a round-trip bus + ticket package on Trip.com (cheaper and more reliable).Do I need to book Temple of Heaven in advance?
It’s not mandatory, but recommended during peak seasons (April–May, October). Book tickets on Trip.com to skip long on-site lines. For same-day visits, you can buy tickets at the gate (cash or mobile payment).How do I get to Mutianyu Great Wall from Beijing?
The easiest way is to book Trip.com’s “Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour” or “Bus + Ticket Package.” The package includes round-trip transport from downtown (1.5 hours each way) and entry tickets. Avoid public buses (frequent delays) or expensive taxis.Is Trip.com’s free Beijing layover tour available for all transit passengers?
It’s open to international transit passengers arriving at Beijing Capital International Airport with a layover of over 8 hours. You must check your home country’s visa requirements (some nationalities need a transit visa to enter China).Can I join Trip.com’s free layover tour if I arrive at Beijing Daxing International Airport?
No—currently, the free layover tour only operates at Beijing Capital International Airport. For Daxing Airport passengers, book a downtown transfer on Trip.com and join a day tour instead.