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Home>China Tours>In-depth experience in Beijing with night visit to the Great Wall - Private Tour
In-depth experience in Beijing with night visit to the Great Wall - Private Tour - 5 days

In-depth experience in Beijing with night visit to the Great Wall - Private Tour - 5 Days

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Beijing
This 5-day trip takes you to visit imperial Beijing and the nearby water town at the Simatai section of the Great Wall. You will not miss the must-see attractions in Beijing such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven. Also, at the water town, you can enjoy the gorgeous summer scenery of lush green trees, visit the Simatai Great Wall at night and learn about traditional handicrafts.
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Tour Highlights

 

Take an unforgettable cable car ride to explore the rugged Simatai Great Wall at night, viewing illuminated ramparts winding across mountain ridges.

Stroll picturesque canal waterways, stone bridges, folk craft workshops, and traditional northern courtyard architecture at the foot of the mountains in Gubei Water Town.

Walk across monumental Tian'anmen Square, discover Ming and Qing dynasty secrets inside the Forbidden City, and tour the sacred Temple of Heaven.

Wander classical pavilions and serene Kunming Lake waters at the Summer Palace, alongside historic Tibetan Buddhist heritage at Lama Temple.

Immerse yourself in local community heritage with an authentic rickshaw or walking tour through old Beijing's narrow Hutong courtyard alleys.

Day 1 Arrival in Beijing

airport - hotel transfer in Beijing

Day 2 Beijing | Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven

breakfast, lunch
Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City (UNESCO), Temple of Heaven (UNESCO)
Stand in the heart of modern China at the world’s largest public square, a site of profound historical significance and grand architectural scale. Walk into or drive through (sedan/minivan) Tian'anmen Square to marvel at its iconic surroundings, including the Monument to the People's Heroes and the Great Hall of the People.
Constructed from 1406 at the very centre of Beijing, the Palace Museum is more widely known as the Forbidden City. Previously home to 24 different emperors, it is the largest palace complex in the world at approximately 720,000 square metres. Note: Closed on Mondays. In case of closure or ticket unavailability, the itinerary adjusts to Jingshan Park for a premier panoramic view overlooking the entire Forbidden City.
Completed in 1420, the Temple of Heaven is the largest complex of sacrificial buildings in China that still stands to this day. The temple was visited by Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1636-1912) emperors on an annual basis to pray to the heavens for a good harvest. The subtle employment of acoustic principles used in the construction of the Echo Wall, Triple Sound Stone and Dialogue Stone reflects the advanced architectural technology in use in ancient China.

 

Dinner Suggestions: Iconic Peking Duck

Indulge in a signature feast at a renowned, time-honored restaurant. Savor the legendary roast duck, celebrated for its signature crispy skin, tender meat, and the subtle aroma of fruit-wood roasting.

Day 3 Beijing | Summer Palace, Hutongs & Lama Temple

breakfast, lunch
The Summer Palace (UNESCO), Beijing Hutongs & Rickshaw Tour, Lama Temple
This Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) imperial palace and garden (1636-1912) is the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. Modelled on the West Lake in Hangzhou and borrowing design techniques and artistic ideas from the gardens of Jiangnan south of the Yangtze River, this landscaped park offers the perfect summer retreat.
Dive into the heart of old Beijing with a visit to the Hutongs—a maze of historic, narrow alleys lined with traditional courtyard houses. To experience this vibrant neighborhood like a local, you will take a traditional rickshaw tour. Sit back and relax as your driver wheels you through the lively lanes, passing by local markets, ancient doorways, and hidden gardens. It is a wonderful, nostalgic journey that offers an intimate look at the city's traditional lifestyle away from the modern skyscrapers.
The Lama Temple has a reputation of the largest and best-preserved Tibetan Buddhist Lamasery in Beijing. The building and artwork of the lama Temple is a combination of Han and Tibetan styles.

Day 4 Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall at Night

private transfer from Beijing to Beijing WTown
breakfast, lunch
Beijing WTown (summer), Simatai Great Wall (night)
Located 150km from Beijing, Gubei Water Town sits at the foot of the Simatai Great Wall. This picturesque destination features traditional architecture, local-style stays, and stunning scenery—especially the vibrant red leaves in autumn. Visitors can enjoy street acrobatics, mesmerizing light shows, and the spectacular "Iron Flower" (Datiehua) performance. For a hands-on experience, try DIY Tie-dyeing, Lantern-making, or traditional liquor and kite-making.
The Great Wall at Simatai (UNESCO World Heritage Site, national 4A-level tourist attraction) is the only section of the Great Wall that retains its Ming Dynasty appearance. Built among steep mountains, the wall here offers precipitous drops and stupendous views. Climbing the Great Wall at night, you can really feel its historical atmosphere, see the beautiful lights of the whole Water town.

Day 5 Beijing Departure

hotel - airport/train station transfer in Beijing
breakfast

In the morning, free time at the water town, then transfer to the airport/train station for your departure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

Q: What makes visiting the Simatai Great Wall at night so special?

A: Simatai is the only section of the Great Wall officially open for night touring. Warm pathway lighting illuminates the ancient brick towers and dramatic mountain crests, offering stunning nocturnal photography and a tranquil atmosphere free from daytime crowds.

 

Q: Is the night visit to the Great Wall suitable for children and seniors?

A: Yes. Visitors take a modern enclosed round-trip cableway up to the upper ridge, followed by an easy, illuminated paved trail to the watchtowers, avoiding steep or difficult nighttime climbing.

 

Q: How far is Gubei Water Town from downtown Beijing?

A: Gubei Water Town is located approximately 140 to 150 kilometers northeast of central Beijing. The scenic transfer takes around 2 to 2.5 hours by comfortable private car via the expressway.

 

Q: Is this 5-day tour eligible for China's 240-hour visa-free transit?

A: Yes. International travelers from eligible countries arriving through Beijing Capital (PEK) or Beijing Daxing (PKX) airports can easily take this 5-day itinerary under the visa-free transit policy.

Tour Includes :

-- Private Tour guide

-- Private air-conditioned car or coach

-- Land transfers between airport or railway station and hotel

-- Entrance tickets as listed

-- Lunch as listed

-- Hotel accommodations with breakfast

-- Service charge & government taxes

Tour Excludes :

-- Cable car of Great Wall

-- International flights with airport tax

-- Personal expenses such as laundry, drinks, fax fee, phone bills, optional activities

-- Gratuities for guides and drivers

-- China Entry Visa

-- Travel insurance

About Shopping or No-shopping Tours

Since October, 2013, CITS offers truly alternative prices of tours with or without shopping. Exceptionally, some tours only have one type price, such as seat-in-coach, hiking, self-driving and luxury tours, etc. Click here know more details.
Interested? This tour can be customized.
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