Things to Do in Beijing
Step beyond the postcard panoramas and unlock the hidden cosmological language of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven—a UNESCO site where emperors communed with the divine.
This 2-hour experience, led by local Beijinger who has history expertise and transnational background (University of Michigan alumni and ex-DiDi/TikTok overseas business strategist), transforms ancient stones into a live documentary about China’s pursuit of cosmic harmony.
Why This Celestial Tour Differ:
✔️ Skip-the-line mastery – We handle ALL ticketing (including Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests access) and strategic timing bypass 95% of crowds.
✔️ Beyond Guided Tours – We don’t just "visit". We dissect the site’s secrets. Let's learn how Ming emperors used MATH to legitimize rule (hint: it involves 4 seasons & 12 months) and other historical trivia.
✔️ Cultural Photography Guide – I’ll help you capture Instagram-worthy shots that whisper stories.
IMPORTANT: The entrance fee to the Temple of Heaven is not included. Its cost is $5 aprox. This has to be paid at the beginning of the tour
🎆Hello curious traveler! Welcome to the FIRST, EARLIEST, and BEST-RATED free walking tours in China!!
🏆WHY CHOOSE US?🏆
💡Since 2017, we've conducted OVER 1200 FREE TOURS, delighting 23,000+ visitors worldwide!!
💡We understand the significance of your visit, which is why we're committed to showcasing the very best of Beijing through immersive 3.5-hour-long tours!
💡Excited for the fun? Choose your booking date, pack your curiosity, and walk with us to explore the best of Beijing!
🎊TOUR DETAILS🎊
🤩Step into the imperial heart of China with us! In just 3.5 hours, you’ll gain a clear understanding of Beijing’s unique layout, learn how to navigate this sprawling metropolis, and plan your travels here with ease!
🚶Join our walking tour to discover both the old and new sides of Beijing as we unveil the stories behind its iconic cultural landmarks - from historic hutong residences and vibrant commercial hubs to time-honored brands and beloved street food stalls. Dive into the city’s ongoing urban planning challenges and embark on an unforgettable journey through tradition, triumph, and transformation!
🔍️THE HIGHLIGHTS 🔍️
· Ancient Peking Opera Theatre
· Liulichang Antiques Cultural Street
· Hutong Courtyard Museum
· Yangmeizhu Byway
· Snack Break at a Local Hutong Market
· Dashilar Commerical Street
· the Narrowest Hutong of Beijing
· Qianmen Pedestrian Street
· The Central Axis of Beijing
· Zhengyang Gate Arrow Tower
· Tiananmen Square (View from Outside)
And More!
🕙️ MEETING TIME:
10:00 AM Every Day
The schedule may vary on certain days. Please refer to the calendar for available booking dates.
The tour lasts about 3.5 hours until 1:30pm.
📍MEETING POINT:
Hufangqiao Metro Station (Line 7), Exit D (South-West Exit);
After exiting, head straight to the main road, turn right, and walk 60 meters east to the green space at the intersection.
Address for Taxi: Huguang Guild Opera Theatre / Corner of Hufang Road & Luomashi Avenue
(Chinese: 7号线地铁虎坊桥站D口【西南口】出门向东60米，虎坊路与骡马市大街路口，湖广会馆东侧小广场）
🧭ENDING POINT:
Qianmen Metro Station (Line 2&8, South of Tiananmen Square)
(In Chinese: 前门地铁站，天安门广场南侧）
⚠️Notice: The tour ends in front of Tiananmen Square, but we will NOT enter to visit Tiananmen square. Please make your own reservation at least one day in advance if you wish to visit, as same-day reservations are not possible.
🤑HOW MUCH THE TOUR COSTS:
The Free Tour operates on a tip-based system, meaning you get to decide the price at the end of the tour based on how much you enjoyed it (and we believe you’ll love it!). Based on data from our 23,000+ previous visitors, the average tip for this tour is around 20-25 EURO (160-200 RMB) per person.
✅️ Please bring your passport for potential checkpoints
✅️ Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early
✅️ Look for the YELLOW umbrella to find us!!
💓We look forward to meeting you soon!!
Meeting guide at the metro station: line 8 or Line 6 Nan luo gu xiang station exit E.
Highlights of the tour:
* Nan luo gu xiang lane
* Mao'er Hutong
* Former Residence of Qing Dynasty Empress
* Former Residence of the President of the Republic of China
* Dou jiao Hutong
* fangzhuanchang Hutong
* Houhai Lake(Shichahai lake)
* Houhai lake Bar street
* Smoking pipe street
* Xiaoshibei Hutong
* Dashibei Hutong
* Drum tower(outside visit)
* Bell tower(outside visit)
Why visit these places? Because they are more authentic and Non-touristy.
There's one of the best local dumplings restaurant for lunch after the tour. There are a lot of places you could visit after the tour(10-15 minutes walking) such as Lama temple & Confucian temple & Jingshan park & Beihai park.
During the visit, you will learn about the origin and meaning of Hutongs, the layout of Beijing City during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, the rise and fall of Hutongs, the lifestyle of Beijing residents in hutongs, the mysteries behind the gates of traditional courtyards, the feng shui of courtyard layouts, and why there is such a large wealth gap in hutongs? Hutong is both a rich area and a slum. Visit the former residence of the president of the Republic of China. Visit Wanrong's former residence to learn about the story of the last emperor Puyi and empress in Chinese history, the origin of the public toilets in Hutong, the most famous Zhajiangmian in Beijing Hutongs, the famous bar street in Beijing, the favorite mythical animal in Hutongs, and the oldest way to tell the time in Beijing and so on.
A trip to Nanluogixiang lane brings you back to the Yuan Dynasty when the earliest houses along Nanluoguxiang started to be built. Nanluoguxiang lane is lined with numerousyummy restaurants, unique hostels, lively themed stores. Its vernacular courtyard houses, grey-colored, accompanied by old trees, showcase the solid books of Beijing's traditional architecture.
Continue to feel Beijing long history by walking along Mao'er Hutong. It is a very famous alley among the 25 surviving hutongs protected areas in Beijing.
There are many famous buildings and character stories in Mao'er Hutong. Stop at "Empress's Mansion" for pictures which is the former residence of the last Chinese emperor Puyi's empress Wanrong.
In addition Beiyang warlord or The Fourth President of the Republic of China Feng Guozhang also lived in this alley.
Visiting a narrow channel joining Qianhai Lake and the Houhai Lake, the hub of Shichahai area with surrounding quiet bars.
Heading to "Smoking Pipe Street" most of the dwellers in this area had a fondness for smoking pipe tobacco. Because of the increasing demand for tobacco, the street saw tobacco shops opening up one by one for business.
Last stop is Drum Tower and Bell Tower(outside visit). It served as the ancient city's time-telling tower. With the development of history, the functions of the Bell and Drum Towers have continually changed.
Free tours don't have a set price, each person tips the guide at the end of the tour. Based on the cost of living in Beijing the recommended tip is 150-200 Chinese yuan per person or 20-25 Euros per person depending on your satisfaction. You will decide how much the tip is after you value the tour.
I will wait for you at Metro line 4 Beigongmen station Exit C.
From downtown Beijing to summer palace will be 50 minutes to 1 hour by subway or taxi.
If you take taxi to the meeting point you can show this to the taxi driver: 地铁4号线北宫门站C口
Please bring Chinese yuan cash or Alipay / wechat pay and passport with you to buy tickets.
After 2 hours tour will be your free time. You will have another 2-3 hours free time If you would like to spend more time in summer palace.
During the visit, we will learn about the reasons for the construction of the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace was completely destroyed by fire in the 19th century. Who set fire to the Summer Palace? Learn the layout of feng shui in the Summer Palace, the origin of the longevity stone in the Summer Palace, why the lifespan of Qing emperors was so short, and how many emperors were there in China? What is the average lifespan? How many concubines did the Qing emperors have? Have a better understanding the ancient Chinese system of human sacrifice, Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty have 35 sons and 20 daughters, and why did all 20 daughters die? How many female emperors are there in China? We will learn Qing Dynasty but also the last female emperor in ancient China Ci xi, and how she became the actual ruler of the Qing Dynasty at the age of 26. She ruled the Qing Dynasty for 48 years, and during these 48 years, how the Qing Dynasty gradually fell, as well as her story with her eunuchs. The last eunuch in Chinese history passed away in 1996. To learn about the stories behind the eunuchs of the Qing Dynasty and what kind of work they did? How did the Qing Dynasty choose eunuchs, and what were the differences between eunuchs in the Ming and Qing Dynasties? What are the differences between eunuchs in ancient China and ancient Europe? Visiting the world's longest corridor, exploring the largest artificial lake in the Summer Palace (how many people dug it, how long did it take, and where did the excavated soil go), and how did the emperor get from the Forbidden City to the Summer Palace? Walk or carriage? Visiting the Wanshou Mountain in the Summer Palace, the origin of the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion in the Summer Palace, the number of religions in the Qing Dynasty, the distribution of Chinese religions, the influence of Buddhism on China, and so on, all these stories can be learned during the visit
Summer Palace (颐和园) is the largest and most complete existing royal garden, reputed as the royal garden museum. Located in Haidian district, about 15km from Beijing center, Summer Palace covers an area of 290 hectares.
The Summer Palace in northwest suburban Beijing is the largest and most complete imperial garden existing in China.
Note: Summer palace doesn't need to book ticket in advance tourists can buy ticket from ticket office on the day of the tour.
Free tours don't have a set price, each person tips the guide at the end of the tour. Based on the cost of living in Beijing the recommended tip is 150-200 Chinese yuan per person or 20-30 USD per person depending on your satisfaction. You will decide how much the tip is after you value the tour.
🎆Hello curious traveler! Welcome to the FIRST, EARLIEST, and BEST-RATED free walking tours in China!!
🏆WHY CHOOSE US?🏆
💡Since 2017, we've conducted OVER 1200 FREE TOURS, delighting 23,000+ visitors worldwide!!
💡We understand the significance of your visit, which is why we're committed to showcasing the very best of Beijing through immersive 3-hour-long tours!
💡Excited for the fun? Choose your booking date, pack your curiosity, and walk with us to explore the best of Beijing!
🎊TOUR DETAILS🎊
Join our local guide to explore iconic, well-preserved hutong neighborhoods. Visit a historical courtyard museum to uncover the ancient family hierarchy, marvel at the dust-covered remnants of architectural history, and feel the pulse of local life—both its struggles and triumphs. Finally, conclude this beautiful journey with a breathtaking lakeside view, where imperial myths still linger and echo through time.
🔍️THE HIGHLIGHTS 🔍️
- Beijing’s Historic Local Snack Street
- Mei Lanfang Memorial Courtyard Museum (Entry Fee: 10 RMB/pp, paid onsite)
- Former Fu Jen Catholic University site
- Prince Qing’s Mansion
- Numerous Historical Courtyard Residences
- Houhai Bar Street
- Shichahai Neighborhood
- Fire God Taoist Temple
- The Oldest Bridge in Beijing
- Bell and Drum Towers (View from Outside)
- And More！
🕙️ MEETING TIME:
10:00 AM Every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
The schedule may vary on certain days. Please refer to the calendar for available booking dates.
📍MEETING POINT:
PING’ANLI Metro Station (Line 4/6/19),
Exit B (North-East Exit); After exiting, turn around to the concrete open space behind you.
Address for Taxi: Corner of Huguosi Street & Xinjiekou South Street
(In Chinese: 4/6/19号线地铁平安里站B口【东北口】/ 护国寺街与新街口南大街路口；出站后，向后转至后方水泥空地)
🧭ENDING POINT:
Bell and Drum Towers. Near Shichahai Metro Station on Line 8
(Chinese: 钟鼓楼，近8号线什刹海地铁站)
Note: Our tour does not include entry to the Bell and Drum Tower. After the tour, you’re welcome to explore it on your own, or enjoy shopping, dining, and additional sightseeing in the lovely lakeside area!
🤑HOW MUCH THE TOUR COSTS:
The Free Tour operates on a tip-based system, meaning you get to decide the price at the end of the tour based on how much you enjoyed it (and we believe you’ll love it!). Based on data from our 23,000+ previous visitors, the average tip for this tour is around 20-25 EURO (160-200 RMB) per person.
✅️ Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early
✅️ Look for the YELLOW umbrella to find us!!
💓We look forward to meeting you soon!!
Meeting at Metro line5 Tiantandongmen station(or Temple of Heaven East gate station) Exit A2.
In Chinese天坛东门 if you would like to take taxi to the meeting point.
Please bring Chinese yuan cash or Alipay and passport with you to buy tickets.
Temple of Heaven doesn't need to book ticket in advance you can buy ticket from ticket office on the day of the tour.
During the visit, we will learn a lot about the history of the Ming and Qing Dynasty, the stories behind the Temple of Heaven, and why the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty moved the capital to Beijing? After relocating the capital to Beijing, the Temple of Heaven and Earth was built, which was later converted into the Temple of Heaven and three other altars were constructed (what are they?). Walking into the Temple of Heaven, you will find many ancient trees. Why are there more trees in the Temple of Heaven than in the Forbidden City? What is the function of the trees in the Temple of Heaven? Why are there almost no trees in the Forbidden City? What is the connection between the 9999.5 rooms in the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven? What season does the emperor hold a sacrificial ceremony at the Temple of Heaven every year? Why does the emperor have to go to the Temple of Heaven three days before the ceremony starts? During the ceremony, three types of animals are killed to offer sacrifices. What are they? Why are the colors of Ming Dynasty architecture yellow, red, green, and blue? What is the meaning behind these colors? Most of the buildings in the Ming Dynasty were square shaped. Why is the Temple of Heaven a circular building? What is the relationship between the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the twenty-eight constellations? During this trip, we will gradually learn about the history behind the architecture of the Temple of Heaven and so on.
The Temple of Heaven Park, Tiantan in Chinese, is located in the Dongcheng District, Beijing. It is the largest and most representative existing masterpiece among China's ancient sacrificial buildings.
Originally, the Temple of Heaven was the place where emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) held the Heaven Worship Ceremony. First built in 1420, the 18th year of the reign of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), the Temple of Heaven was enlarged and rebuilt during the reigns of the Ming emperor Jiajing and the Qing emperor Qianlong.
In 1988, it was opened to the public as a park, showing ancient philosophy, history and religion. Its grand architectural style and profound cultural connotation give an insight into the practices of the ancient Eastern civilization.
NOTE: 1.Take passport with you
2. Bring cash or Alipay to buy ticket
Free tours don't have a set price, each person tips the guide at the end of the tour. Based on the cost of living in Beijing the recommended tip is 150-200 Chinese yuan per person or 20-30 USD per person depending on your satisfaction. You will decide how much the tip is after you value the tour.
If your phone is compatible with eSIM cards and you'd like to stay online during your trip to China, grab your card with internet access today!
*Notes:
This food tour includes at least five tasty local eats!
While the tour is free to join, please note that it does involve real costs — including the snacks you'll enjoy (which you'll pay for yourself), transport allowances, and the time and effort of our passionate local guides.
At the end of the tour, you're welcome to leave a tip based on your experience. Your support helps us keep offering authentic, sustainable, and meaningful local experiences.
Thanks for your support!
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Why Choose This Beijing Food Adventure?
This isn't just a food tour; it's a deep dive into the heart and soul of Beijing. We take you where locals truly eat, revealing the city's hidden culinary treasures that most travelers never discover.
Insider Access You Won't Find Anywhere Else
- Authentic Experiences: We don't just serve food; we tell its story. Learn how each dish reflects Beijing's rich history and culture.
- Local Connections: Meet passionate food artisans, hear their personal stories, and understand the traditions behind every bite.
- Off-the-Beaten-Path Locations: Explore secret hutongs and local markets that aren't in any guidebook.
Taste Beijing Like a True Local Our bilingual guide doesn't just translate - they bridge cultures. You'll:
- Understand the meaning behind each dish
- Learn local eating etiquette
- Discover the subtle art of Beijing's culinary traditions
Perfect for Food Lovers and Culture Seekers Whether you're a:
- Passionate foodie wanting to explore authentic flavors
- Cultural enthusiast curious about local traditions
- Traveler seeking genuine experiences
- Photographer looking to capture unique moments
This tour promises memories that will last far longer than a typical meal.
*Notice:
The entrance fee is 45 yuan per person (25 yuan for the Lama Temple and 20 yuan for the Drum Tower). The transportation cost for the tour guide is 45 yuan per person, and the labor fee is 70 yuan per hour.
In total, the tour will cost at least 300 yuan (42 USD).
Please consider these costs before making your booking. Much appreciated!
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Discover the ancient art of Feng Shui on a tour of the Hutongs in Beijing. Learn how to alter the energy of your home and family for good fortune.
Feng Shui is one of the most mysterious and captivating aspects of traditional Chinese culture. It seeks to alter the energy of an individual or even an entire family by carefully considering the location and layout of homes, the design and matching of clothing and accessories, or the patterns of daily customs such as diet, thereby bringing continuous good fortune. This experience will take you deep into the Hutong cultural district in the heart of Beijing. You will wander through several historical sites with the strongest energy aura, embarking on an authentic and pure traditional Feng Shui journey to seek good fortune for yourself and your family. Let's get going!
This tour focuses on the Forbidden City’s central axis—where emperors ruled, schemed, and left behind clues waiting to be decoded.
What We’ll Explore
1. Meridian Gate:
Unlock why this massive gateway was designed to terrify visitors—and how its five arches secretly ranked everyone from Mongol princes to European diplomats.
2. Hall of Supreme Harmony:
Discover the throne hall’s hidden “cosmic blueprint.” Why does the emperor’s seat align with a specific star? What’s the real meaning behind the mythical creatures on the roof?
3. Palace of Heavenly Purity:
Step into the drama of imperial succession. Hear about secret edicts hidden behind paintings, midnight conspiracies, and the emperor’s clever trick to avoid assassination.
4. Imperial Garden:
Decode the symbolism of 400-year-old cypress trees and oddly shaped rocks—a “stone forest” designed to reflect imperial philosophy.
Why Travelers Love This Tour
Cultural Storytelling:
I turn dusty history into gripping tales. Learn why a single missing brick in a courtyard wall symbolized an emperor’s insecurity, or how shadows were redesigned after a royal scandal.
Why Choose Me?
This isn’t a lecture—it’s a conversation with 600 years of ambition, art, and human folly. I focus on stories you won’t find in guidebooks.
Tickets are not included:
April 1st - October 31st (high season) --- CNY 60
November 1st - March 31st (low season) --- CNY40
The Treasure Gallery --- CNY 10
The Gallery of Clocks ---CNY 10
