Top Beijing Layover Tours

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.

We had a wonderful experience with our Viator tour, all thanks to our guide Lucy. She spoke excellent English, which made it very easy for us to understand everything and ask questions along the way. What really stood out was her patience—she took the time to answer all our questions without ever rushing us. Lucy is incredibly knowledgeable about both her job and the history and culture of China. She shared so many interesting insights that made each place we visited even more meaningful. She also ensured we visited all the attractions included in our ticket without any hassle, and everything was well-organized from start to finish. We truly enjoyed the entire experience and would highly recommend Lucy and the Lily Tour Company to anyone planning a tour.