Forbidden City tours

Fun and enjoyable tour. I joined a small group tour. Our guide Michael is very knowledgeable about the history of Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City. It was very interesting. I would recommend taking this tour because it covers everything you need to see in Beijing.

Kevin was an excellent tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and funny. Provided a good balance between touring and taking breaks. He connected western concepts to help us understand Chinese traditions, practices, and history. His command of the English language was very strong and understandable.

As the morning light gently spilled over the eaves of the Meridian Gate's corner towers, I was already standing outside the Forbidden City's Wu Gate. The red walls glowed with a soft luster in the morning mist, like cinnabar softened by the years. Last night's raindrops still clung to the glazed tiles, shattering into a crisp chime with each gust of wind. Crossing the Golden Stream Bridge, the stone slabs felt damp and reflected the pale blue of the sky. The bronze cranes in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony remained shrouded in shadow, the lines of their beaks gradually illuminated by the morning light. Those delicate marks chiseled by craftsmen centuries ago now held tiny pools of dew. Without the clamor of crowds, only the sweeping sound of the cleaning monk's bamboo broom could be heard, as if the faint footsteps of palace servants from six hundred years ago echoed in the rustling. Walking along the corridors of the Eastern Six Palaces, the mottled paint on the vermilion pillars stood out in the morning light. Behind a half-open window lattice, the shadow of an old pagoda tree stretched diagonally across the green bricks, like an ink wash painting blurred by time. I suddenly recalled historical records stating that the window paper here was once soaked in tung oil, providing both light and wind protection. Now, gazing at the fragmented golden sunlight filtering through the window panes, it seemed as if I were seeing the silk fabrics that palace servants had once laid out to dry centuries ago. Reaching the Imperial Garden, morning dew still clung to the leaves of the "trees of conjugal love." The intertwined branches of those cypress trees, said to have been planted during the Wanli era, cast dappled patterns of light across the ground. Ripples stirred in the dew on the stone table, and in a fleeting moment, I seemed to hear the laughter of palace women playing chess, dissolving into the air with the mist. Most unforgettable was arriving at the corner tower as the rising sun leaped over the moat's waters. The entire corner tower, with its nine beams and eighteen pillars, stretched out in the golden light. The auspicious beasts on the flying eaves suddenly seemed to come alive, as if they were about to soar into the morning light. The moat's surface reflected the corner tower's image, shattering it into countless shimmering gold flakes, making it difficult to discern whether the tower was in the water or the water was within the tower. As I left, the tourists' noise gradually began to fill the Meridian Gate. Looking back at the red walls and yellow tiles, the Forbidden City in the morning light resembled an old man just waking up, with untold stories hidden in the wrinkles around his eyes. Those stone steps smoothed by the years and the dew-dampened window lattices quietly whispered: History is never just cold words, but a trembling leaf in the morning light, a drop of undried dew, a sigh carried away by the wind.

I received a WeChat message the day before on the meeting point and was instructed to look out for the Klook flag. While there was a hiccup in the ticketing process that prevented Bob (our initial guide) to enter the Forbidden City, we had Zhang as our replacement and she was animated in regaling the historic moments of each place. She also ensured our wellbeing was met by giving us appropriate breaks from the intense heat, while keeping to the time limit. Bob then took over the JingShan park leg and gave us a quick overview before letting us explore on our own. He was forthcoming to take questions, and I had my answers on Bei Hai park and famous Peking Duck eateries.

Sunny, Thank you so much for guiding us on our tour of Beijing, China. We truly appreciated the historical insights and perspectives you shared at each location—it made the experience much more meaningful. We’re also very grateful for the delicious lunch at such a wonderful restaurant. It was a fantastic way to enjoy the local cuisine, and we really enjoyed it. One thing we’d like to mention is that it wasn’t ideal having to queue for an hour and a half to get tickets for the Forbidden City. Hopefully, your company can assist future guests in securing tickets in advance to make the experience even smoother. We hope to see you again in the future! Warm regards.

Booked a private all-inclusive day tour in Beijing, covering Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall on 19 Apr 25. Our guide, Sherry, and driver, Lin Hai, were exceptional. Sherry’s deep knowledge and insightful commentary brought each historical site to life, while Lin Hai’s expert driving ensured a smooth and comfortable journey throughout the day. Despite it being a weekend with large crowds, Sherry navigated us through each location efficiently, allowing us to maximize our time without feeling rushed. Her ability to manage the itinerary seamlessly demonstrated her professionalism and experience. A highlight of the tour was the lunch at a clean and pleasant restaurant near the Great Wall. The buffet spread exceeded expectations, offering a variety of delicious dishes that catered to different tastes. The service staff were also attentive and food experience for me is impt. Mutianyu provided breath-taking views and inclusion of a round-trip cable car tickets made the visit more accessible and enjoyable. Overall, the tour was well-organized, informative, and offered excellent value for money. For travelers with limited time in Beijing, this tour is a perfect way to experience some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. I highly recommend this tour, especially with Sherry and Lin Hai, for an unforgettable and enriching experience.

We were very fortunate to have Mr Kevin Liu as our guide. He is very friendly, professional and extremely knowledgeable. He was able to share insights and the historical background which makes the tour very meaningful and memorable. We ensured that our well beings are being taken care of and able to lead us through the queue hassle free to visit the sites We had booked the tour two weeks in advance giving the agency sufficient time to secure tickets to thr Forbidden City. Driver for the tour is very punctual and safe driving. Car is well taken care of. Overall value for money package coupled with a proficient tour guide, Kevin. Had a great time during the tour. Highly recommended for those who are seeking to have a good understanding of China historical events. Kevin is also proficient in English and Mandarin.

Maria is a fantastic guide! my mother and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour; she is knowledgeable and considerate. she brought the history and stories of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square to life!