Top Beijing Layover Tours

I booked this only a few days before so they didn’t have an English speaking guide available and we went with just a Chinese speaking driver called Liu Chao. However, he used a translation app and was very friendly and accommodating. He got our tickets for us, was flexible with the schedule and was waiting for us in the hotel lobby on time. He was very knowledgeable and had clearly done the route many times and knew the best spots to go, so I would recommend.

Meeting point was easy to find and Kevin was friendly, bubbly and enthusiastic. Trip to the wall was ok, we found the legroom on the bus was a little cramped especially for my husband with long legs. Cable car tickets were easily acquired from Kevin and all went smoothly thanks to Kevin’s clear instructions. The Great Wall was much steeper than expected but we climbed as much as we liked in the time we had. Cable Cars trips were lovely. Lunch was great and we had the chance to meet some of the other travellers which was great.

The sunset tour to the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall was amazing. There were very few tourists on the wall which made the experience even better. Our tour guide Jackie was really nice. He even gave us a certificate at the end. Would definitely do it again!

If you’re visiting Beijing and want the absolute best guide experience, look no further than Mark. Mark was the easy button for our trip to the Great Wall. From the moment we connected, his communication was clear, professional, and incredibly helpful. He made sure we knew exactly where to meet, what to expect, and how to make the most of our limited time. What really sets Mark apart is his combination of deep historical knowledge and remarkable ability to make things happen. His understanding of the Great Wall and Beijing’s rich history brought every stop to life, but it was his ingenuity, local expertise, and willingness to go the extra mile that made the day unforgettable. Thanks to Mark, we experienced some of China’s finest culture, history, and hidden gems without wasting a minute. He was punctual, organized, flexible, and constantly focused on making sure our experience was exceptional. If you’re planning anything in or around Beijing, do yourself a favor and book Mark. He turned what could have been a simple sightseeing trip into one of the highlights of our visit to China.

This was the perfect layover tour for me. Naomi , my guide, was very friendly, helpful & she made sure that I get to see the sights I wanted in a reasonable time & still managed to drop be off in time for my next flight. It was a great experience & I’m thankful to Naomi for that. She even gave me a panda bracelet souvenir which I appreciate. Communication from the tour group is also very efficient.

Mark gave us what was easily one of the most unforgettable travel experiences we’ve ever had, all during a layover in Beijing. We had an 18 hour layover and wanted to get the most out of it, we booked his longest tour and then discussed with him how we could make it even longer to truly experience as much as possible. From the very beginning, the experience was exceptional: he timed our airport pickup perfectly, somehow predicting exactly when we’d make it through immigration and customs, which made a huge difference after an international flight with very little sleep. His vehicle alone felt like a luxury recovery lounge — incredibly comfortable seats that nearly laid back and even propped up our legs. It was exactly what we needed to recharge before an action-packed day when we were running on only a couple hours of sleep. Mark curated the perfect Beijing experience for us. We started at the Great Wall, where we took a chair lift up, explored, and then had an absolute blast taking the toboggan down. From there, he brought us to a great tea ceremony that was both relaxing and fascinating. Next was the Forbidden City, where Mark’s knowledge truly shined. He was constantly sharing incredible stories, historical facts, and cultural insights that made every stop feel meaningful. Thanks to his knowledge, we even got to see some of the terracotta warriors on display at the palace that we never would have known about otherwise. The day somehow kept getting better. Mark then took us for one of the most authentic and delicious Peking Duck dinners imaginable where we all got to talk about everyday life in China and how much Beijing had changed since he was a boy. After dinner, we grabbed bikes and rode past Tiananmen Square before heading into a hutong market for shopping, which was the perfect way to experience Beijing at night before heading back to the airport. What’s most impressive is how seamlessly Mark made this all happen. In just one layover, he gave us a rich, exciting, comfortable, and deeply memorable experience of Beijing. He is knowledgeable, organized, thoughtful, and clearly passionate about what he does. If you have even a short stop in Beijing, booking Mark Ma is one of the best travel decisions you could make. We cannot recommend him highly enough. Truly an amazing guide and an absolutely incredible day!

Angie was an amazing tour guide. We booked a 6 to 8 hour tour with her and she provided a lot of history about Beijing the Great Wall and other subjects continously throughout the tour. She was highly engaged and attentive to all of our needs. The logistics regarding transportation and getting through the lines with special passes saved a ton of waiting in the crowded entrance. Angie's English was great and was very helpful giving us directions and information. She accompanied us on our walk of the Wall as well. We never felt we were lost. She guided us all the way. I highly recommend her and her company as a private tour. It will make for a smooth and enjoyable experience with no hassles. It will also save a ton of time than if you take the larger tours as they do not have the special passes. This was the best tour and service we have had.

This was a great experience. The tour company got in touch on WhatsApp as soon as week booked (several weeks in advance) and was happy to answer any questions leading up to the tour. There was also a message the day before with all the details we needed about meeting point etc. The tour itself was great - it is a huge site, so to cover everything would have taken at least a full day. Instead, the guide gave us lots of interesting information, taking us through the central path, without overloading us and keeping to time. He was very happy to answer any questions and also allowed time for taking pictures etc, even helping us taking photos. Throughout the tour he gave pointers and suggestions for other parts of the site to explore individually after, if we choose to.