City: Beijing
Top Things to do in Beijing
Countries
Top 10 Literary, Art & Music Tours in Beijing, China
Welcome to a capital city whose story goes back at least 3000 years. In Beijing, you'll find a wealth of history, both ancient (the Hall of Preserving Harmony, Summer Palace, Forbidden City) and more recent (Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Tiananmen Square). For the best market experience, choose the Dirt Market over the touristy Silk Market. A visit to the Great Wall, the longest manmade structure in the world, is absolutely essential.
Restaurants in Beijing
1. Calligraphy and Dumpling Cooking Classes Private Half Day Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
During this private 4-hour tour, you will spend a quality time in learning Chinese calligraphy and how to make dumplings in Beijing style. In addition, you will walk through Hutongs (old Beijing neighborhood) and local market where you can experience the real local life in Beijing. Tasty family dumpling lunch, calligraphy class fee, private guide are all inclusive. 2 Different options can be chosen based on your situation .
Inclusions: Calligraphy class and Dumpling cooking class fee, Lunch ( cooked by yourself in the local family), Professional English speaking guide, Hotel pick up and drop off
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Gratuities (Recommend for excellent service ), Taxi fee and Private driver ( If option " Tour only" is selected)
Reviewed By Ailton007
We were so glad we did this tour vs. just walking Forbidden CIty ourselves. Connie our guide was super knowledgeable, contextualized and explained the history of the place and led us to places / photo ops inside Forbidden City which we would have never discovered otherwise. She picked us up at our hotel and we took the bus there, everything went smooth until we were inside and and we didn't feel rushed. Plenty of time to explore and Jingshan Park afterwards was great as well. Well organized with a great guide and we learned so much about Chinese history. Highly recommended!
2. Hutong tour - Beijingers Rock & Roll
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
A true hidden gem experience! Hutong has witnessed the changes of lives for local Bejingers for 860 years, all these dramatic past has grown into their personality, life style, tradition and custom which was leading the trend in China, people from other cities considered Beijinger the hipsters, following their "instagram" and so obsessed with their Beijing style. With us, we take you to their lives, we mean zero to zero distance, to see how they rock & roll, explore the myth of the disappearing cool traditions, such like paying a visit to a charismatic gentle man who trains the little cricket for gambling and a private museum of hundred years old objects by special invitation only, you will find you are the only one there, we promise you a 100% off the beaten path experience! Follow us and just to be surprised!
Inclusions: The best tour guide in down, Entrance fee to Drum Tower, Rickshaw ride through Hutongs and the beautiful Houhai Lake , Special visit to the private museum, Special visit to the amazing cricket trainer champion!
Exclusions: Gratuities, Transfers, if required., Any item that is not mentioned in above itinerary
Reviewed By Dale L
We were lucky enough to have Fiona as our guide to visit the Great Wall, Summer Palace, Forbidden City, Olympic sites, and hudong while in Beijing in September 2018 (yes, I AM late posting my review !) and are tentatively planning another visit in a few months and would be very disappointed if we did not manage to book Fiona. Fiona customized our entire tour, helped us avoid crowds and lines, and was charming, knowledgeable, and completely engaged. Really, I have never had a better guide anywhere. Hope to see you sometime in 2020 !
3. Beijing Architecture Tour with Dim Sum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Learn about Contemporary Architecture, Design and Culinary art. Check off the Top 6 world class buildings, Beijing Olympic Stadium(Bird Nest), Galaxy Soho, Beijing Moma Condominiums, CCTV Building, Giant Egg and Daxing International Airport(Giant Phoenix). Eat delicious Dim Sum and Potstickers lunch. Private guide for a more personalized experience. Hotel pick up and drop-off included.
Inclusions: Private Tour, Excellent English Speaking Tour Guide, Taxi and subway fare, Entrance fees to Birdnest, Lunch , Airport Express Fee
Exclusions: Personal shopping expenses, Any Other Entrance fees besides of Bird Nest, Gratuities (Recommended), Any other expenses that not listed as included
Reviewed By 321Tiggle123
We had an amazing night learning how to make dumplings with Sunflower. We learnt the way to make them that she has been practising since she was 4 years old and while it may take us a little while to get as good as her, we learnt quickly under her guidance. It was also a great experience talking to her and learning about what it's like living in China and sharing what it's like living in Australia. She even made a cake for my birthday. If you can't travel (Who can?) and are looking for a great way to feel as though you are, I can't recommend enough jumping on zoom and spending an evening cooking with Sunflower.
4. 6-Hour Private Beijing Tour: Flower and Fish Market, Panjiayuan Antique Market and 798 Art Zone
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 3 reviews
Beside the historical sites in Beijing, there are so many fun things to do: Embark on a guided weekend adventure exploring Beijing's local flower and fish market, Panjiayuan Antique Market, and the 798 Art Zone! A private tour with your own English speaking guide and private vehicle will ensure a personalized experience!
Inclusions: Bottled water, Lunch, Professional, private guide, Transport by private vehicle, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Lover_of_food2b
Anson was our tour guide. He spoke great English and had tons of knowledge about the neighborhoods we were walking in, which was also the location of our hotel. He gave us a variety of food choices, all delicious, but did give us the option to be more adventurous. We opted out of eating anything too exotic. We were so impressed with Anson, we signed up for a tour at the Forbidden City and requested him. He is extremely knowledgable about the history in China and tells it in a way that keeps things interesting.
5. Golden Mask Dynasty Show & Wangfujing Street half day tour
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 6 reviews
This is the best choice for a half day in Beijing. We offer the most affordable tickets to the Golden Mask Dynasty show, and transfer you from your hotel lobby to the show, and then to the famous Wangfujing Street to have some free time to explore the area on your own. You will be amazed by the variety of street foods, luxury shopping malls, and local stores.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions: Any Private Cost (Food, Drink, Shopping)
Reviewed By mcjardine
This was our second Yangtze River experience AND we will be doing it again. SOOOO much to see and do. both previous river trips were on different vessels and each had it's own charm. If you haven't been to China this is a wonderful way to see the heart of China. Just beware of time of year because in early spring they open up the dam to reduce the water levels in anticipation to the winter snow melt. We had to be bused down stream to find suitable embarcation facilities. Still great to see the country side .
6. Private Tour: Beijing by Night including Imperial Performance and Dinner
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 9 reviews
Take in the best of traditional Chinese performing arts all on one stage, followed by an authentic dining experience. During imperial themed dinner, enjoy traditional music, dancing, Peking opera, and the most amazing performing art--Mask Changing. You have the option to upgrade and have an informative guide to explain the history and culture behind the show.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off (For hotels within the 4th ring road of Beijing City), Transport by private vehicle, Dinner, Live entertainment, cultural show
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Emperor/Empress dress, Gratuities, English-speaking guide (optional)
Reviewed By Lover_of_food2b
Anson was our tour guide. He spoke great English and had tons of knowledge about the neighborhoods we were walking in, which was also the location of our hotel. He gave us a variety of food choices, all delicious, but did give us the option to be more adventurous. We opted out of eating anything too exotic. We were so impressed with Anson, we signed up for a tour at the Forbidden City and requested him. He is extremely knowledgable about the history in China and tells it in a way that keeps things interesting.
7. Mini Group Beijing City Night Tour for Acrobatic Show and Haidilao Hot Pot
Enjoy the Beijing night tour by feasting on the exciting acrobatic show and tasting delicious hot pot at the well-known brand-Haidilao restaurant. Pay a short visit of the outstanding Bird’s Nest and Water Cube where 2008 Olympic Games took place successfully. A vegetarian option is available for this small group tour.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, English speaking tour guide, Hot pot
Exclusions: Drinks, Gratuities
Reviewed By KanoPal
Best tour guide ever!! Ronner explained all the details of the city, the Great Wall, and the Summer Palace to us. He was so helpful to consider our requests, and we got to change the original program a little bit. When went to eat authentic Peking Duck, which was probably the best we've ever had in our life. If I ever come back here, I'd definitely book with this company again.
8. Chinese Calligraphy Learning Class
Chinese calligraphy is not only a means of communication, but also a means of expressing a person's inner world in an aesthetic sense. like a mirror, is a silent reflection of the soul. It is believed to have verve, of optimism, moderateness, or pessimism. The class gives beginners a unique experience to approach the visual art. From the class, you will learn about the history of Chinese calligraphy, traditional writing tools, the basic skills to write with brush and even the inner expression of characters.
Inclusions: Class expense, Free tea or beverage
Exclusions: Gratuities, Transportation to/from attractions
Reviewed By katherineg135790
We booked this experience on our last day in Beijing. Yu, our instructor, met us at the East Gate of the Temple of Heaven as specified, though we were a few minutes late due to the morning traffic. We had a couple of extra people, and he was easily able to accommodate this and negotiated a fair rate for them to join the class. We went to an area where many community members were practicing Tai Chi, and there was plenty to room for our class. Yu led us through a sequence, then proceeded to break down the sequence and explain the history and rationale of Tai Chi as well as some aspects of Chinese Medicine. It was a truly awesome experience, and my only regret is that I do not live in Beijing so that I could continue to study with Yu. I would highly recommend this experience.
9. 5-Hour Self-Guided Layover Tour to Luo Hong Art Museum with Peking Duck Option
If you have at least 6 hours between your arrival and departure flights, a Beijing layover doesn’t mean hours stuck in the airport. If you have at least 10 hours between flights, check off Luo Hong Art Museum nearby the Capital Airport on this private self-guided tour, explore the most authentic resonance between the soul and everything. Afterwards, you can also choose the option to have a meal in Bianyifang Restaurant for an authentic peking duck before returning to the airport for your onward flight.
Inclusions: Capital Airport pickup and drop-off, Transport by private vehicle, English speaking driver, Entrance fee, Bottled water
Exclusions: Peking duck meal (optional), Extra tour guide service, Gratuities
Reviewed By simonelafleur
I had a great time in Beijing! The tour was well organized, Violet was a great tour guide! She was always on time, she speaks English very well and she told me a lot of informations about the sights. The booking process on WeChat was very easy - the agency is very flexible which was just perfect for me. I would definitely recommend the travel agency and the tour! Violet, thank you very much for everything and hope to see you again next time when I‘m in Beijing! :)
10. Beijing Private Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and 798 Art District
This full day tour in Beijing will enable you to experience the historical sites and morden art district: Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with 798 art district. Meet your guide in the morning at your local accommodation, and travel to Tiananmen Square. After visit the Forbidden City, heading to the 798 art district to explore the biggest space for cultural, artistic, commercial activities, and fashion show. You will have your own guide and private vehicle. Entrance fee, lunch, hotel pick up and drop off are included.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off( for hotels within the 4th ring road of Beijing city), Bottled water, Professional guide, Private tour, Transport by private vehicle, Lunch, Entrance Fee
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Gratuities
Reviewed By latoyaj632
My daughter and I had the pleasure of having Qing as our tour guide. We had a great experience. Qing was very knowledgeable and added funny commentary to engage my 9 year old daughter, whom is not interested in History (yet)! We learned a lot about Chinese history and culture, with the added benefit of being allowed to take ample time to take a multitude of pictures. Qing has hosted this tour for many years, so she provided us with tips to take the most flattering shots in this historical venue. I would definitely recommend Qing when taking this tour. We will remember this experience forever.
TAGS
