Forbidden City tours

Really enjoyed the whole tour experience, as our guide Allen was super cheerful despite us having to go through the tour on one of the hotter days in Beijing. Gotten really nice pictures and recommendations in the Forbidden City as well. Side note, please come well prepared with good walking shoes, sunscreen, cap/umbrella if you’re intending to do this tour during summer months as you’d spend at least 30 minutes going through the security check under the sun.

The guide, Linda, was organized and constantly aware of not losing the group, giving us enough time for the entire group to arrive at each stop before offering her recounting on the significance of each building, relic or historical artifact. She spoke clearly and coherently, adding a touch of humour, always with a smile. The tour was well paced, not too hectic, despite the scale and depth of what was covered. Definitely worth your money!

The tour started on time and both guides Amy and MA have coordinated with us a day before the scheduled tour. They both explained very clearly the history of the Forbidden City and Summer Palace. MA even accompany us to the Bird Nest after the Summer Palace tour. We are very appreciated.

This was an amazing tour with so many interesting sights seen. Helen made it so memorable with her great story telling and jokes, she also assisted us in getting into the areas faster than everyone else which was a huge plus. It is great value for money too as everything is included, all you do is pay and rock up and you’re set. Cold water is provided and the pace can be either fast or slow depending on what you like. Helen gave us the option to stop and take photos or go to the next spot which i really appreciated as i don’t like to waffle around. 100% recommend to anyone visiting beijing

Overall, I enjoyed the experience and Yuly did a great job keeping everyone together and explaining key parts of the Forbidden City’s history. I would have preferred less time there and more time at the Great Wall. The itinerary could be more transparent. I didn’t expect to take a public bus after the Forbidden City to reach another bus, or to pick up more passengers along the way. The Great Wall extras were also confusing. On the bus, we were asked which sides we wanted to visit and charged 280 RMB for cable car/toboggan tickets. It felt like these were compulsory, although they are optional and cheaper options are available on site. This should be explained clearly before payment. That said, the cable cars and toboggan were amazing and so much fun! I don’t regret the experience or extra money spent. I’m grateful for the guidance and knowledge I gained, although I now feel confident I could organise it myself next time and spend more time exploring the Great Wall at my own pace!

Our tour guide Jimmy was really friendly and he speaks good English too. He's really knowledgeable about not just the history of the Forbidden City, but also China's history. We really enjoyed the tour, Jimmy made it so much more insightful and interesting as compared to if we were to go on our own. He also helps us to take really nice photos too!~ Highly recommend Jimmy as a guide.

Helen was an excellent guide; her explanations were clear, precise, and very vivid. She adapted to the group's requests and showed us the best spots for photos. Thank you again, Helen, for this wonderful excursion ✨

it was a great experience, tiring but good to know history of long long time ago. Suggestion to come during cooling season to enjoy it better as it’s not so hot. wear comfortable shoe too as a lot of walking

This private tour was an outstanding way to experience the city for the first time as a solo traveler. My guide (Sue) was incredibly knowledgeable, bringing each site to life with rich historical context and thoughtful explanations of Chinese culture, traditions, and symbolism. It felt personalized and engaging throughout, not like a generic script. Having Sue accompany me made everything seamless, from navigating crowds to sharing stories at the right moments. The private driver was equally fantastic, warm and professional, with smooth pick-ups and drop-offs between sites. Covering three major sites in one day felt a bit rushed, but it was still a great introduction to Beijing’s top highlights. Overall, a very enjoyable and well-organized experience. Highly recommended.