A private full-day combo: the Forbidden City in the morning and the Summer Palace in the afternoon, with flexible pacing and expert guidance from Beijing.
Our delivery style is relaxed, comfort-first, and flexible to your pace and interests.
What's included
- Hotel or designated pickup and drop-off in Beijing
- Private English-speaking guide
- Forbidden City and Summer Palace entrance tickets (pre-booked where required)
- Full day (typically 8–9 hours)
- Flexible start time and pacing
Not included
- Meals and personal expenses
- Optional add-on tickets not listed above
- Gratuities (optional)
Route and experience
We pick you up in Beijing and start at the Forbidden City: you’ll enter through the Meridian Gate and follow a clear route through the main halls and courtyards. Your guide brings the imperial history and layout to life. After the palace, we drive to the Summer Palace for the afternoon. There you’ll see the Long Corridor, Kunming Lake and key pavilions. The order (Forbidden City first, Summer Palace second) works well for light and logistics; we can adjust timing to your pace. At the end of the day we return you to your hotel or another location. Prefer a different combo? See our Beijing day tours for the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven or Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace options.
Practical details
- Duration: Full day, typically 8–9 hours from pickup to drop-off.
- Start time: Flexible; usually morning start for Forbidden City.
- Pickup: Your Beijing hotel or a central address.
- Suitability: All ages; moderate walking at both sites. Comfortable shoes recommended. Forbidden City requires a valid passport for entry.
- Best for: Short-stay visitors who want two major sites in one day without rushing.
For more on these sites and other combos, see our Beijing city guide. If you prefer one site in depth, we offer a Forbidden City private tour and a Summer Palace private tour as half-day options.
FAQ
Can we do Summer Palace first and Forbidden City second? We usually do Forbidden City in the morning and Summer Palace in the afternoon for light and ticket logistics, but we can discuss alternatives when you inquire.
How long at each site? Roughly 3–4 hours at the Forbidden City and 2–3 hours at the Summer Palace, plus transfer time; we can adjust to your pace.
What if we only want one of these sites? You can book a half-day Forbidden City or half-day Summer Palace and use the rest of the day for something else or add the Temple of Heaven in a custom combo.
Related guides
Book this tour
Ready to do the Forbidden City and Summer Palace in one day? Inquire to book and we’ll confirm timing, pickup and pacing. For more Beijing attractions and combo options, see our Beijing city guide and combo day tours.