Beijing Layover Tours 2025/2026
Beijing 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy: Beijing offers a 24-hour visa-free transit for foreign travelers with confirmed onward tickets to a third country or region. Passengers staying within the airport do not require immigration clearance. Obtaining the Temporary Entry Permit must be obtained from the immigration office at the airport, you can take a day tour.
Beijing 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy: Citizens of 54 eligible countries holding an ordinary passport with at least three months of validity and a confirmed onward flight, train, or cruise ticket to a third country or region within 240 hours can transit in Beijing and designated areas across 23 other provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in Mainland China for up to 240 hours without a visa.
No matter the length of your layover in Beijing—whether just a few hours or several days—we’re here to help you make the most of your time.
For 24-hour layovers, our airport meeting and greeting service allows you to begin your Beijing tour as soon as you arrive. A guide will meet you at the airport with a sign bearing your name and escort you to your destinations in a private, licensed vehicle. After the tour, you can be dropped off at a central Beijing hotel or returned to the airport for your next flight.
We offer tailor-made itineraries based on your layover schedule. Simply select your favorite places, and our expert team will craft the best tour plan for you. Alternatively, choose from our pre-designed tours: 1-Day Beijing City Highlights, 1-Day Mutianyu Great Wall Layover Tour from the Airport, or 1-Day Mutianyu Great Wall Tour, if your schedule allows.
What you can enjoy in our Beijing layover tours:
- - Airport meeting & greeting service;
- - Private transfer by a comfortable, air-conditioning and no-smoking car;
- - Professional licensed local English speaking tour guide;
- - Possibility to store luggage in the vehicle during the tour;
- - Recommendation for restaurants and meals;
- - Helpful guide on Visa-free Transit policy;
- - One-on-one free consulting;
- - Personalized tours available.
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1 Day Beijing City Highlights Tour (Tian'anmen Square/Foribidden City/Temple of Heaven)This tour requires you to have a layover at least 10 hours, and your Beijing arrival flight should be before 10am. The tour costs around 7.5 hours, but you need to schedule about 1.5hrs for airport check out and another 1.5 hours for check in. You will visit the three most important attractions in Beijing downtown area. It is the best way to explore Beijing's culture and history.
Availability: Every day except Mondays
Starting location: Beijing Capital International Airport
Attractions: Tian'anmen Square (0.5hr), Foribidden City (2hrs), Temple of Heaven(1.5hrs)
Duration: 7.5 hrs including airport pick up and drop off -
1 Day Mutianyu Great Wall Layover Tour from the AirportMutianyu Great Wall is about 1.5 hours driving from the airport. It is less crowded, and very popular among foreign travelers. To take this layover tour to Mutianyu Great Wall from the airport, your layover must be over 7 hours, and your Beijing arrival flight should be before 12am. You can use cable cars to ascend and descend the Great Wall to save time and energy.
Availability: Every day
Starting location: Beijing Capital International Airport
Attractions: Mutianyu Great Wall(2.5hrs)
Duration: 8 ~ 10 hrs including airport pick up and drop off -
1 Day Mutianyu Great Wall Forbidden City Layover from the AirportTo have a layover tour to both Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall, the layover has to be at least 12 hours: 9 hours for the tour, and 3 hours for airport check-out and check-in, and your flight should land Beijing before 9am. You will meet our guide at the airport, then transfer 1 hour to visit Forbidden City, and drive 1.5 hours out the city to visit Mutianyu Great Wall.
Availability: Every day except Mondays
Starting location: Beijing Capital International Airport
Attractions: Foribidden City (2hrs), Mutianyu Great Wall (2.5hrs)
Duration: 9 hrs including airport pick up and drop off
The Layover Plan You Chose are :
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Design Your Own Beijing Layover Tour
Choose your favorite attractions in Beijing below to let our travel experts design a reasonable Beijing layover itinerary for you. Most of these attractions are only open during 8:00~18:00. You are suggested to start the layover tour before 12pm. We have specified required time to visit each attraction, excluding transfer time as below for your reference.
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Great Wall (3hrs)
#1 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - Mutianyu Great Wall, less-crowded, about 60km from the airport.
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Forbidden City (2.5hrs)
#4 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - the royal palaces for Ming and Qing Dynasties for over 500 years.
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Summer Palace (2hrs)
#3 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - the summer resort for the Qing dynasty's royal family.
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Hutongs (1.5hrs)
#41 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - old folk dwellings, and good place for souvenir shopping.
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Temple of Heaven (1.5hrs)
#5 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - the largest building for religious worship in China.
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Jingshan Park (1hr)
#8 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - good location for photography and Forbidden City panoramic view.
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798 Art Zone (1hr)
#10 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - old-fashioned factory, numerous galleries and bookshops & cafes.
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Dajuyuan (1hr)
#16 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - also known as National Center for the Performing Arts.
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Olympic Park (0.5hr)
#21 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - modern architecture, where the Bird Nest and Water Cube locate.
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Beihai Park (1hr)
#11 on Tripadvisor - free local park with a white pogoda. Good for a leisure stroll.
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Lama Temple (0.5hr)
#12 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - A series of beautiful Tibetan-style pavilions.
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Chaoyang Theater (2hrs)
#13 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - breathtaking routines of acrobats & gymnasts.
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Old Summer Palace (1hr)
#36 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - beautiful, historical, and not crowded!
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Temple of Confucius (0.5hr)
#45 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - ancient Chinese academy culture, located at Hutong area.
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Back Lakes (1hr)
#47 of 1,619 on Tripadvisor - ancient Chinese academy culture, located at Hutong area.
The Attractions You Chose are :
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2~10 Days Best Beijing Tour Packages for 2025
For 240-hour layovers, you can explore all of Beijing’s iconic highlights, from the majestic Great Wall to the historic Forbidden City. Plus, you have the option to extend your journey to nearby cities like Tianjin, Chengde, Harbin, and Datong, each offering unique cultural experiences and attractions. If you're looking to venture further, we can arrange trips to other popular destinations such as Xi’an, home of the Terracotta Army, the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, the picturesque landscapes of Guilin, the rich heritage of Chengdu, Zhangjiajie’s breathtaking natural beauty, and more.
Whether you’re interested in history, culture, nature, or modern cities, we’ll tailor your itinerary to match your interests and ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience that fits your schedule perfectly.
This is the most popular China tour to Beijing, Xian and Shanghai to visit the most iconic China attractions - Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, The Bund, etc., and explore great of both China’s past and present.
Visit the best and featured highlights of Beijing in a single trip and explore the glorious past and present of Beijing in one go. Apart from Beijing's time-honored landmarks - Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Great Wall, you will admire the most outstanding architectures in Olympic Park.
Visiting two ancient hearts plus a cozy high speed train experience, you will not only explore the long history of China, but also find out how the time-honored country is like in recent days.
This thoughtfully designed itinerary is perfect for travelers with limited time in Beijing. Whether you're taking advantage of a layover or simply want to make the most of a short trip, this tour provides a comprehensive overview of the city's iconic attractions.
This 4-day tour offers the chance to explore Jinshanling by day, known for its breathtaking vistas, and Simatai by night, celebrated for its enchanting evening views. The itinerary also includes a visit to the charming Gubei Water Town. Of course, essential Beijing landmarks such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and traditional Hutongs are covered.
10 days well-organised China private tour for family with kids to get close up with Giant Pandas and extend your China tour to Beijing, Xian and Shanghai.
Want a quality but enjoyable time with your children in Beijing? This 5 days Universal Studios Beijing family tour is well-arranged to fulfill your needs. You will have a sightseeing trip involving a full-day adventure to Universal Studios Beijing. Apart from offering entertainment, this tour helps them learn, grow and gain a better understanding of China.
If you only have two days' layover in Beijing, don't worry, this tour with well-arranged itinerary allows you to visit the best highlighting attractions of Beijing. After hotel picked-up, you will go to the landmarks - Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City firstly. In the afternoon, take a trip to the famous Royal Garden – Summer Palace. In the next day, admire the magnificent structures of Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, Bird's Nest and Water Cube.
