9 Recommended Tours in Beijing
In cities as big and busy as Beijing, it can be challenging to get your bearings. Start your visit with one of these tours to get to grips with the Chinese capital’s history, food and culture.
The capital city of China has developed rapidly in the past several decades. Traditional heritage sites are juxtaposed against futuristic buildings, intersected by old alleyways that hide culinary gems. However, its sheer size can be overwhelming; let the insiders help you navigate and appreciate the nuances of China’s language, history, architecture and culture. Here are nine of Beijing’s best tours for a deep dive into the capital.
1. Hutong Walking Day Tour
Natural Feature, Historical Landmark
Old Beijingers continue to live along the hutongs – Beijing labyrinthine alleyways – around traditional Chinese courtyards. The way of life here is very much as it was centuries ago, with a strong community spirit and shared facilities outside the home. The narrow hutongs are unique to Beijing’s urban architectural layout, and the best way to understand the city’s cultural history is by letting a guide lead you through the maze-like neighbourhoods, passing landmarks such as the Confucius Temple, Drum Tower and Shichahai as you go.
2. Beijing Sidecars Tour
Historical Landmark
Beijing Sideways takes you on an adventure through the city seated in a vintage sidecar. Jump in for a two-hour tour of Beijing (day or night), or enjoy the wind in your hair and unrivalled views of the countryside and mountains on a day trip to the Great Wall. Stop for a hike on a quiet part of the wall with no tourists in sight and then tuck into a picnic with the Great Wall views all to yourself, before heading back into the city.
4. Beijing Breakfast Tour
Natural Feature
Visitors should experience breakfast in Beijing properly, and a tour is the best way to dive into the city’s most intriguing meal. Eat side by side with residents and see a new side of the capital with Lost Plate Food Tours, which will introduce you to staples like steamed buns, fermented soy milk and savoury pancakes, plus lead you to a hip, hidden coffee shop with views over the hutongs.
5. Maliandao Tea Tour
Tea Room, Bakery, Tea
6. Beijing Biking Tour
Natural Feature, Historical Landmark
Beijing is a city made for biking – it’s the best way to explore the hidden gems in the hutongs. This small-group tour will have you pedalling through the backstreets and alleyways around the Forbidden City and will take you to share a meal with a local family in their home. You’ll also pass through a local market and learn about traditional Chinese ingredients, perhaps pausing for a game of mahjong along the way.
7. Beijing Foodie Walk Tour
Food Stall, Chinese
The best of regional Chinese cuisine can be found in the capital, where street-food stands showcase the depth and breadth of flavours that the country has to offer. This walking tour takes you through Beijing snacks and street food, including the traditional jianbing (a Beijing breakfast staple of stuffed savoury crepes). You’ll also discover seasonal produce at the local wet markets and learn about different regional cooking styles on this family-run tour, which puts its profits back into the local community.
8. The 798 and Gallery Tour
Art Gallery, Building, Museum, Store
Get local insight into Chinese contemporary art with an art curator and writer on the 798 and Gallery Tour. Dive into Beijing’s art scene and navigate the galleries and studios of the 798 Art District – a former factory compound designed by Bauhaus architects. The raised walkways that meander through the industrial complex are a highlight, offering a different view of the famous district.
9. Imperial Beijing Day Tour
Building, Hindu Temple, Park, Historical Landmark, Architectural Landmark
This article is an updated version of a story created by Fran Lu.
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