3-Day Imperial Beijing Tour: Forbidden City, Great Wall & Hutong

Your guide meets you at the airport or train station and transfers you to the hotel. After settling in, hop on a rickshaw for a ride through Beijing's historic Hutong lanes. Visit a traditional courtyard home (siheyuan) to see how local families live in these centuries-old neighborhoods. The guide explains the layout rules — the main room faces south for the family head, side rooms for younger generations. End the afternoon with free time to explore Shichahai Lake area, grab Peking Duck for dinner, or just wander the lantern-lit alleys.

Start early at Tiananmen Square for photos without the midday crowds. Walk north into the Forbidden City — give it 2.5 hours minimum to cover the main axis and a couple of side halls. After lunch near the east gate, drive 1.5 hours to Mutianyu Great Wall. This section is less crowded than Badaling, with cable car access and a toboggan ride down. You'll have about 2 hours on the wall. On the way back, pass by the Olympic Park to see the Bird's Nest lit up at night.

Morning visit to Temple of Heaven — arrive by 8:30 to catch locals doing tai chi and group dancing in the park. The Echo Wall and the circular prayer hall are the highlights. Then head to Summer Palace for a lakeside walk along the Long Corridor (728 meters of painted scenes). Take a dragon boat across Kunming Lake if weather permits. After lunch, your driver takes you to the airport or train station.