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Overview
Rest first upon arrival in Beijing. On day two, walk through Tiananmen Square into the Forbidden City, then climb Jingshan to look back at the central axis. On day three, visit the Mutianyu Great Wall. On day four, explore the Temple of Heaven, the National Museum, and Shichahai. The final day includes a cloth shoe workshop, a tea session, and airport transfer, scheduled around flight times. All five days are spent in Beijing, minimising inter-city travel.
— LyrikTrip Travel Designer
Please provide your travel dates, flights, and the number of travellers. We will then check the Forbidden City reservation, Great Wall opening hours, and the schedule for your final day, and send you a written itinerary and quotation.
Why you'll love this trip
- Four nights in Beijing with visits to the Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, and the hutongs, capped off by a cloth-shoe workshop and a tea session.
- From the palace axis to the ridge walls, see how Beijing was shaped in five days.
- As the second day draws to a close, climb the small hill behind the palace, and the entire day seems to flash back in an instant: golden rooftops unfold in rows beneath you, with a single straight line cutting through them.
- Ride the cable car to Mutianyu, saving your energy for the Great Wall itself rather than the climb: round-trip fare is included in the price.
- Spend an afternoon at the National Museum to neatly organise your week’s discoveries — the rooftops you’ve passed will finally have their exact dates.
- On the final day, the schedule for the shuttle shoes workshop, tea ceremony, and airport transfer will be adjusted according to the return flight; if time is insufficient, the activity order will be adjusted in advance.
Things to do
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Landmark
Heritage
Viewpoint
Great Wall
Culture
Museum
City
Craft
Hands-onLandmarkHeritageViewpointGreat WallCultureMuseumCityCraftHands-onLandmarkHeritageViewpointGreat WallCultureMuseumCityCraftHands-onItinerary
Arrivals
Beijing · Day 1 - Day 5
· Arrive in Beijing and leave some time to rest
After arrival and transfer to the city, enjoy free time; sightseeing begins on the following day.
· Walk from Tian'anmen to Jingshan
Walk along the central axis, passing through the Forbidden City, then climb Jing Mountain to see the full line.
· Walk the Mutianyu Great Wall Along the Mountain Ridge
After breakfast, head north out of the city, dedicating the day to the Great Wall and the round-trip journey.
· Temple of Heaven, National Museum & Shichahai
From the Temple of Heaven to the National Museum of China, then stroll through the hutongs along the Shichahai at dusk.
· Explore the Thousand-Layered Foundation, Enjoy Tea, and Proceed to the Airport
Before leaving Beijing, schedule the cloth shoe workshop, tea ceremony, and airport transfer according to your flight time.
Departures
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Hotels
These are sample stays typically included in the itinerary. Final pricing depends on the hotel level selected.
Beijing
Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)
Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.
Beijing
Atour Hotel, Liuliqiao, Beijing West Railway Station
Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station and Liuliqiao.
Beijing
Sofitel Beijing Central
Luxury international hotel in central Beijing with refined comfort and service.
Beijing
Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast
International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.
Beijing
Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)
Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.
Beijing
Atour Hotel, Liuliqiao, Beijing West Railway Station
Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station and Liuliqiao.
Beijing
Sofitel Beijing Central
Luxury international hotel in central Beijing with refined comfort and service.
Beijing
Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast
International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.
Beijing
Atour Hotel (Beijing West Railway Station South Square)
Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station South Square.
Beijing
Atour Hotel, Liuliqiao, Beijing West Railway Station
Upscale local hotel near Beijing West Railway Station and Liuliqiao.
Beijing
Sofitel Beijing Central
Luxury international hotel in central Beijing with refined comfort and service.
Beijing
Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast
International luxury hotel in Beijing, ideal for business trips and city breaks.
Included / Excluded
What's Included
- Private vehicleAir-conditioned private vehicle for all listed touring, including the full-day Great Wall round trip; airport pickup on day one and drop-off on day five
- Intercity transportNone on this plan: the whole trip stays in Beijing, with no internal flights or trains, so no cabin class applies
- Hotel4 nights in Beijing at your chosen level (four-star, five-star or quality boutique), breakfast included, named in your written confirmation
- GuideLicensed English-speaking guide on days two to five
- Day two ticketsTian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City with the timed reservation booked by us, and Jingshan Park
- Day three ticketsMutianyu Great Wall entrance, with return cable car
- Day four ticketsTemple of Heaven, the National Museum of China (visit slots require advance booking; refer to the written itinerary) and a hutong stroll by the lakeside of Shichahai
- Day five experiencesThe cloth-shoe workshop and the introductory tea sitting, both included in the base price
- In-park transportAny in-park transport needed to complete the listed visits; on this plan that is the Mutianyu round-trip cable car above
- Meals4 hotel breakfasts, on days two through five
- InsuranceTravel accident insurance
Not Included
- International flightsFlights to and from Beijing
- VisasVisa fees and processing for guests who require a Chinese visa
- MealsAll lunches and dinners: your guide recommends and books around your taste each day, on your account
- Optional add-onsThis plan carries no optional extras at present; anything introduced later is priced separately when you choose it and is never included in the base plan
- PersonalGratuities, single or extra-room difference, personal spending
Special Notes
A few things on this route follow your flights, the calendar or the season. Here they are, told straight.
- Departure morning — the workshop and the tea sitting sit before the airport drop-off on day five. When we quote, we check both against your departure flight. If the flight leaves too early for both, your written quote states which of the two comes out and prices the trip on that basis, before any deposit is taken.
- Departure dates — Please verify the Forbidden City's opening hours and booking availability for your travel dates; if it is closed on your day, we will confirm an adjusted itinerary with you. Holiday traffic conditions and site capacity limits also require advance confirmation.
- Reservations — Entry arrangements for the Palace Museum and the National Museum of China must be booked in advance according to the travel date; the specific time slots will be confirmed in the written itinerary.
- Cable car in late season — The Mutianyu cable car may be affected by weather or maintenance; if it is not operating on the day, please confirm the alternative route and fee arrangements before your trip.
- Day two effort — Day 2’s walking tour along the Central Axis involves a lot of walking, so adjust your rest stops based on the stamina of those travelling with you. If you are travelling with small children or those with mobility issues, please let us know your requirements when enquiring.
- Season — From October to December, Beijing is cold and dry. This itinerary keeps the long outdoor stretches on the Wall during the day and in the mornings, and moves the collection, the workshop, and the tea table indoors.
- Hotels — named in your written confirmation; "or similar" always means the same class and comparable location, never a quiet downgrade.
Is Five Days Your Length?
Four days instead of five? Or more?
Four days instead of five? Or more?
Each day stands on its own, so we cut days rather than corners: drop the last morning and you keep the axis, the wall and the museum day. Staying longer? The extra days go on the front or the back, and we plan them once we know your flights.
Good to Know
- Group
- Private itinerary, available from just 1 guest; final group size and vehicle arrangements to be confirmed at booking.
- Arrival & Departure Cities
- Beijing in, Beijing out; airport pickup on day one and drop-off on day five are both included
- Visas
- Check the official visa and visa-exemption policies against your passport, mode of entry, duration of stay, and travel dates.
- Language
- Licensed English-speaking guide on days two to five
- Fitness
- Day two is a full walking day on the axis; the Great Wall climb is by cable car; no travel days between cities
- Payment
- Terms regarding deposits, balance payments, amendments, and refunds are subject to the written quotation and order terms.
- Flexibility
- The number of days and daily pace can be tailored to your travel needs; deadlines for confirmation, changes, and refunds are subject to the written order terms.
- Season
- October to December: cold, dry Beijing, with outdoor stretches kept to the wall day and the mornings
Your Private Concierge Service
Jenny
China Private Travel Route Consultant
“A concierge desk offering bilingual planning services for bespoke China journeys”
Our China team carefully tailors the pace of the itinerary, hotel arrangements, and local reception services to suit the style of each route.
20+
Years
300+
Trips Designed
24/7
On-Trip Care
Step 01
Tell us what excites you
Not your dates and budget — your curiosity. Where have you always wanted to go? What do you want to feel? We start there.
24h
First concept delivered
Step 02
We design it around you
Your specialist builds the itinerary from scratch — routes, hosts, hotels, and experiences you won't find anywhere else.
100%
Private, never off-the-shelf
Step 03
Lock it in with 30%
When the plan feels right, a 30% deposit holds your trip. Balance due 30 days before departure.
30%
Deposit to confirm
Step 04
Travel. We handle the rest.
Your Trip Pack arrives before you fly. On the road, your concierge is one message away — for the expected and everything you didn't plan for.
24/7
Support throughout your journey
Cancellation terms agreed in writing
English-speaking concierge
Secure payment via Stripe
Guest Reviews
4.9 / 5 · from 523 verified reviews
E
Emily Carter
🇺🇸 Seattle, USA
Perfect for couples
“My partner and I had an amazing time in China. Everything was arranged for us — transfers, hotels, guides. No stress at all.”
May 2026
C
Claire Brooks
🇬🇧 London, UK
Great for families
“Traveled with my two kids and had zero issues. The team made sure the pace wasn't too rushed and included things the kids would enjoy. Communication was easy throughout. Will definitely use them again for our next Asia trip.”
Apr 2026
L
Laura Bennett
🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada
Alisa made the whole experience easy
“Alisa was our point of contact throughout and she was brilliant — patient, knowledgeable, and always quick to reply. The trip itself was wonderful. Beijing and Guilin were highlights.”
Mar 2026
M
Mark Henderson
🇺🇸 Denver, USA
Good service, minor hiccup but sorted quickly
“Really good service. There was a small mix-up with one of our restaurant bookings but it got sorted quickly. The rest of the trip was seamless.”
Feb 2026
R
Rebecca Miller
🇺🇸 Boston, USA
Really listened to what we wanted
“Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible.”
Jan 2026
China Ready
We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveller needs to know before arriving.
Do this before you fly
VPN & Internet Access
What's blocked
Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites are inaccessible in China without a VPN.
Download before you leave
It's nearly impossible to download a VPN once inside China. Install and test at home. Recommended: Astrill (most reliable), Mullvad, ExpressVPN — subscribe to at least two in case one stops working.
Hotel Wi-Fi tip
Some hotels block VPN connections on their Wi-Fi. Use your phone's mobile data as a hotspot if the VPN drops.
Good news
WhatsApp works perfectly through a VPN, so your messaging stays unchanged. Apple iMessage and Signal also work.
Your concierge sets this up on Day 1
Paying in China
China is cashless
Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for almost everything — restaurants, taxis, markets, tickets. Cash is rarely accepted in cities.
International cards now work
Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now link directly to Alipay (set up in minutes, $5,000 single transaction limit). Your concierge walks you through the setup on your first morning.
Carry some cash
We recommend ¥500–800 RMB in cash for the rare vendor that won't accept digital payment, and for small towns.
Booking this trip
Your deposit and balance are charged via Stripe — the same trusted platform used by Airbnb and Booking.com. USD billing, no surprise conversion fees.
We handle the paperwork
Visa & Entry
Do you need a visa?
Most US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for stays over 10 days. We provide a visa invitation letter with every booking — it significantly speeds up approval.
240-hour visa-free transit
Citizens of 55+ countries (including USA, UK, most of EU, AUS, NZ, Canada) can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through eligible ports. This covers our 12-day itinerary only if you have a confirmed onward flight.
Processing time
Apply 4–6 weeks before departure. Standard processing: 4–7 business days. Express (3 days) and same-day options available at most Chinese consulates.
What we provide
Visa invitation letter, hotel confirmation for all nights, suggested itinerary document — everything the consulate needs, formatted correctly.
Our responsibility, always
Safety & Practical Tips
Is China safe?
China consistently ranks among the safest countries for foreign tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Cities have extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence.
Emergency numbers
Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. Your concierge is your first call for any non-emergency situation — she has local contacts for every city on the itinerary.
Health & medications
Bring a full supply of any prescription medication. International pharmacies exist in major cities but may not carry your brand. Travel insurance is required — we can recommend policies that cover China specifically.
Language
English fluency outside hotels and tourist sites is limited. Your guides all speak English. We provide a printed pocket card with essential Chinese phrases and emergency contacts for every traveller.
Before You Book
Everything worth knowing before you book.
Two days gets you the palace and the wall as photographs. Five gets you the reason they are where they are: the axis walked end to end in one day, the wall given a whole day of its own, a museum afternoon that dates everything you have seen. The last morning goes to a workbench. You also stop moving: one hotel, four nights, no stations.
It is the demanding day of the five, and we do not pretend otherwise: the square, the palace and the hill are a full day on foot, built for adults in good shape. Your guide takes one chosen route through the palace rather than every hall, lunch sits in the middle, and the hill at the end is short. If that still sounds like too much, say so at quoting and we split day two across two days.
Mutianyu, and no. The cable car takes you up and back and is included in the price, so the walking happens on the wall itself, between restored watchtowers. We use Mutianyu rather than Badaling because it is the quieter of the two, and the day carries nothing else, so the drive out and back never feels rushed.
Beijing in late autumn and early winter is cold, dry and clear. The plan puts the long outdoor stretches on the wall day and in the mornings, and keeps the museum, the workshop and the tea table indoors. What we cannot promise is the mountain: the cable car's operating schedule for November and December is being confirmed with the operator for this window. If it will not run on your dates, you hear it from us at quoting, with the day re-planned and re-priced, not on the mountain.
Most guests do not. The UK, most of Europe and Canada enter visa-free for days, and so do Australia and New Zealand. We confirm these five days plus any other days in China fit that window before you pay. US passports book on a Chinese visa already held, or on the 10-day visa-free transit route, which needs an onward flight to a third country or region with a confirmed date and seat; a round trip home does not qualify. We check the whole itinerary against the rules order by order, and if it does not fit we say so instead of selling.
