Drum Tower (Gulou) Tours and Tickets

It can be easy to get lost in Beijing—especially if exploring its narrow maze-like hutongs—so make life easy for yourself with this small-group walking tour. The guide takes care of navigating, so there’s no need for maps, and along the way, you can see historical hutongs, ancient landmarks, and hidden places that you’d likely miss on solo explorations.

The soul of Beijing lies in its hutong, a web of narrow alleyways and single-story courtyard houses. Get a perspective that’s impossible to achieve independently on this private walking tour, which includes a meet-and-greet with a local family in their home. Along the way, visit the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Nanluoguxiang, Yandai Xie Street, and Shichahai: your private guide will accompany you to and from your hotel.

Don’t get lost in one of Beijing’s historic hutongs: explore the neighborhood with your own private guide on this tour. Start your half-day adventure with a visit to the Beijing Drum Tower, complete with a grand drum performance. After the performance, head to a nearby hutong and ride through the winding alleyways in a rickshaw. See old buildings and cozy shops, and visit the home of a local family (with your guide translating) to learn about life in the hutongs today.

Beyond the grand imperial structures of central Beijing lies a different world: the world of hutongs, traditional lanes with courtyard houses. Finding your way through this downtown warren can be challenging, but this tour makes it easy—and the small group size ensures personal interaction with your guide. Learn about everything from Chinese time-keeping to the fate of China’s last emperor as you stroll and soak up the atmosphere.

Discover Beijing at night with ease from the comforts of a private vehicle. This private transport service ensures you see the sights—and the lights—without struggling with taxis or waiting for strangers. Following a fixed itinerary with photo stops, discover Beijing ancient and modern—from Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City to the Bird's Nest and CCTV New Mansion.

Explore the hutongs of Beijing on a private walking tour that introduces you to these narrow streets and alleys typical of this part of China. You'll walk around Houhai Lake and along Yandai Xie Street (aka Tobacco Pipe Street), plus watch a drumming performance and enjoy a tea ceremony at Bell and Drum Towers.

Explore the Beijing Hutongs in depth by join this 3 hour private tour, get a wonderful glimpse into traditional Beijing lifestyle and culture. Tour start from the Drum and Bell Towers in Beijing, combine walking and rickshaw experience. When visit the courtyard family, 30 minutes culture class will make the tour really fun, you can choose to learn Chinese calligraphy, paper cutting or mask painting.

A unique way to see, feel and touch the real Beijing. We'll explore the most central area and most modern area of Beijing and into the small alleyways of the hutongs, you have the experience of being local, close to the daily life of Beijing. This sidecar trip packed with historical facts and photo opportunities for the ultimate Beijing experience. We will have lots of stops for photos and chill with some drinks. Please contact us for more availability if you have more than 08 people. We also offer Tailor-made Experience upon request.

Beyond the crowded attractions, see a side of Beijing that many tourists overlook on this intimate history tour. Meet your private guide at your local accommodation, and travel via public transportation. Venture first to Prince Gong’s Mansion: dating to the Qing Dynasty, it’s one of the best-preserved imperial mansions in the city. You’ll also discover the city’s hutongs (centuries-old alleyways and courtyards), will see a live drumming performance at the Drum Tower, and more.

Discover Old Beijing on a private, half-day sightseeing ride focused on traditional neighborhoods and local life. Travel in comfort with your English-speaking Driver, who shares cultural insights, historical context, and personal observations to reveal the city’s authentic character. Begin in the historic hutongs, exploring narrow alleys and courtyard homes while learning about traditional family life and neighborhood evolution. Continue to the Bell & Drum Tower area, where these iconic structures once marked the city’s rhythm. Visit Shichahai Lakes to experience a slower pace of life with locals enjoying daily activities. Conclude at Nanluoguxiang, a vibrant lane blending historic architecture with modern boutiques and street snacks. Flexible stops allow extra time to explore on foot. The tour ends with a smooth return to your accommodation, offering a relaxed and immersive glimpse of Beijing beyond its main monuments.

Embark on a leisurely, expert-guided private walk through Shichahai’s hidden lanes – a lesser-known gem away from crowds. Explore iconic spots with distinct charm: Huoshen Temple (a tranquil ancient shrine), Lotus Lane (lined with quaint local shops), Prince Gong’s Mansion (a grand Qing-dynasty noble estate), Soong Ching-ling’s Former Residence (a serene tribute to the revered leader), Yinding Bridge (a scenic spot for lake views) and Yandaixie Street (a historic pedestrian lane with old-world flair). Glide through hutongs by rickshaw to soak up authentic local life, as your guide shares fascinating tales that bring the area’s rich history and scenery to life.

Beijing’s hutong feel much more atmospheric with a private guide on hand to tell their stories and answer all your questions. Experience big-ticket highlights such as the Bell and Drum Towers, Yandai Xie Street, Back Lakes, and Yinding Bridge alongside lesser-known courtyards on this door-to-door tour. Along the way, try bubble tea, red bean dessert, and “mantou” buns, and enjoy lunch.

Join an expert guide for a private tour of Beijing’s most fascinating destinations and UNESCO Sites, from the Forbidden City to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. With a private guide to take care of the details, you can focus on exploring Beijing history, culture, wildlife, and cuisine, hassle-free. This three-day private tour includes all transport by private vehicle, meals and entrance fees per itinerary, and daily hotel transfers, and it’s the perfect way to experience Beijing at its most remarkable.

Explore the winding streets of Beijing on a 3-hour private bike tour with an experienced guide. Admire the illuminated city at night as you bike along Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Cycle down Nanluoguxiang Alley to see trendy shops built along Beijing’s ancient alleys, and enjoy the lush environment of Shichahai Lake and Jingshan Park. Hear stories about Beijing's history and contemporary life from your informative guide, and enjoy frequent stops for photo ops. Your guide ensures a safe, fun and fascinating tour of Beijing by bike.

Weave your way around charming streets and ancient alleys (hutongs) on a rickshaw tour of Beijing. Clamber into your traditional mode of transport and discover an alternative side of Beijing; see locals going about daily life and marvel at spectacular sights like Drum Tower. Visit a local home to gain insight into ancient Chinese customs and culture and sip aromatic tea collected from local plantations. Enjoy the convenience of round-trip transportation from your hotel on this enriching tour.

Discover the incandescent beauty of Beijing by night on this 3-hour evening walking tour. See the city sparkle as you explore glimmering waterways, vibrant parks and narrow ‘hutongs’ (alleys) under the cover of darkness. Led by an accomplished guide, sample sublime specialties at the busy Wangfujing Snack Street; browse stalls bursting with exotic ingredients at the Donghuamen Night Market; and stroll amid the ancient and illuminated structures of Imperial City Park for a unique sightseeing experience. Conclude your tour with a tranquil wander around Houhai Lake and enjoy an intimate atmosphere on this small-group tour.

There’s no better way to discover traditional Beijing life in authentic “hutong” neighborhoods than with a private guide. This door-to-door private bike tour combines the well-known attractions with less-visited lanes where locals still go about their daily lives. Besides Nanluoguxiang, Back Lakes, and Yandai Xie Street, see a drum show at the Drum Tower, enjoy a dumpling lunch, and visit some newly renovated “hutong” beside the Grand Canal.

Take the strain out of travel planning without relinquishing control on this handy private Beijing combo tour. Just pick six of the 15 listed options—two from each of the three sections—and your private guide will build them into an organized 2-day itinerary. The fixed tour price includes entrance fees, guiding, and door-to-door round-trip private transfers: meals and hotel are at your own expense.

Explore Beijing’s rich tapestry of history and culture on this customizable day tour through iconic landmarks like the Temple of Earth, Lama Temple, and the ancient Imperial Academy. Wander the atmospheric alleys of Wudaoying, Nanluoguxiang, and Beiluoguxiang, where tradition meets modern creativity. Marvel at the Drum and Bell Towers and soak in the vibrant charm of Houhai. Remeber, this route could be customized! Whether you're a fan of indie music, film locations, or even Harry Potter-inspired spots, this tour can be tailored to your interests for a unique cultural experience. Discover Beijing your way—past and present in perfect harmony.

A unique way to see, feel and touch the real Beijing. Our Classic Tour is perfect to have a first impression about the city, We'll explore the most central area of Beijing, and some smaller and less well-known sites may show you the real local and charming city. We'll ride into the small alleyways of the hutongs, you will have the experience of being local, close to the daily life of Beijing. This tour is packed with historical facts and photo opportunities for the ultimate Beijing experience. We will have lots of stops for photos, and walk into few temple or alleys to chill. Please contact us for more availability if you have more than 08 people. We also offer The Great Wall tour and Tailor-made Experience upon request.

Walk around Beijing’s imperial parks and *hutongs* (old quarters) on this private full-day tour. Climb Jingshan Hill for panoramas over the Forbidden City, and explore the imperial gardens of Beihai Park. Ride a boat here (April to November only), and savor an imperial-style lunch at Beihai’s Fangshan restaurant. Plus, watch a drum-beating ceremony at the Drum Tower.

Join us on a captivating journey through the heart of Beijing, where ancient history meets modern vibrancy along the legendary Central Axis. Our 1-day tour is meticulously crafted to immerse you in the essence of Beijing's culture, history, and charm.

Explore the centuries-old 'hutongs' of Beijing, including a rickshaw ride down the narrow alleys. Visit temples and get a bird's-eye view from atop the Drum Tower. Other highlights on this private tour include learning to make dumplings, watching cricket fighting, and eating authentic food with a local family.