5 days Beijing Tour with Great Wall Hiking (Jinshanling Section)

Arrive in Beijing and meet your local driver (w/ guide) for a private transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day will be on your own, rest or explore Beijing. Overnight at Beijing.

This morning, meet your local guide and driver at your hotel and begin your day at Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square and an important symbol of modern China. From here, walk straight into the Forbidden City, the former imperial residence of 24 Ming and Qing emperors. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it houses the largest complex of preserved wooden palaces in the world. As you move through its halls and courtyards, your guide will share stories that bring the imperial era to life.

Continue to nearby Jingshan Park, where a short climb to the hilltop rewards you with a panoramic view of the Forbidden City’s golden roofs and the central Beijing skyline.

In the afternoon, visit the Summer Palace, the Qing dynasty’s royal retreat known for its lakes, gardens and elegant pavilions. Walk along the Long Corridor beside Kunming Lake and learn how emperors and empresses spent their leisure time here.

In the evening, consider ending your day with Beijing’s signature dish, Peking roast duck, at a well known restaurant such as Quanjude or Da Dong. You may also choose to enjoy a cultural performance like Peking Opera or a Kung Fu show (optional, cost extra).

Start your morning at the Temple of Heaven, one of Beijing’s most iconic landmarks. This vast imperial complex was once where emperors prayed for good harvests, and today it has become a peaceful park where locals gather for tai chi, dancing and morning exercises. Walk through the grounds to see the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and learn how the ancient rituals were performed.

Continue to the Shichahai lake area for an authentic look at old Beijing life. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the narrow Hutong alleys, visit a traditional courtyard home to understand its layout and family traditions, and stroll along Yandai Xiejie, a historic street filled with small shops and cafés leading toward the Drum Tower.

Next, visit Prince Gong’s Mansion, one of the best preserved Qing dynasty residences in Beijing. Wander through its elegant halls, landscaped gardens and rockeries while hearing stories about the powerful figures who once lived here.

In the afternoon, visit the Lama Temple, Beijing’s most important Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Admire its ornate rooftops, intricate decorations and the impressive sandalwood Maitreya statue as you learn about the temple’s long history and significance.

To end the day, choose to return to your hotel or be dropped off near the lively Donghuamen night market area, where you can sample local snacks and enjoy Beijing’s vibrant evening atmosphere.

Meet your guide at 8am and drive to Jinshanling East, also known as Simatai West. Begin your hike with a 40-minute walk up to the East Five-Eye Tower, where wide mountain views offer one of the best introductions to the Great Wall.

After a short break, continue westward toward the Jinshanling main gate. The 5–6 kilometer route takes about three hours and includes both restored walls and original, rugged sections. Along the way you’ll pass several distinctive watchtowers such as the Black Tower, Small Jinshan Tower and Big Jinshan Tower, each showing different styles and defensive features. On clear days, you may also see distant ridgelines stretching toward Simatai.

You can exit the Wall at Shalingkou or walk another 30 minutes to leave at Zhuanduokou if you feel energetic. The varied terrain, tower designs and open views make this one of the most photogenic sections of the entire Great Wall.

After finishing the hike, enjoy a simple lunch at a local farmer’s restaurant before returning to Beijing in the late afternoon. Overnight at Beijing.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport or train station for your departure. This concludes your Beijing tour. If you would like to continue exploring China, WindhorseTour is happy to help plan an extension based on your interests.