China1 day

Beijing by Bike: Forbidden City, Hutongs & Lama Temple — Full Day

A full-day cycling route through central Beijing's imperial and religious landmarks, including the Forbidden City, Lama Temple, and Hutong neighborhoods

This one-day cycling tour covers Beijing's historical core on two wheels, moving from the Forbidden City northward through the Hutong quarter to the Lama Temple. You'll start from a centrally located rental shop, collect a bike and helmet, and follow a guide through Tian'anmen Square, past the former imperial palace (home to 24 emperors between 1368 and 1911), and into the narrow lanes where Beijing's older residential quarters remain intact. The route includes a stop at a working food market within the Hutongs, views of the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, and time inside the Lama Temple itself. You'll also cycle through the parkland surrounding Houhai Lake before returning. Lunch at a local restaurant is included.

Highlights

Cycling through the Forbidden City's north gate after exploring the former imperial residence
Walking through a functioning food market embedded in the Hutong lanes to see local ingredients and vendor activity
Viewing the Bell Tower and Drum Tower from courtyard vantage points within the residential quarter
Visiting the Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple), one of Beijing's major Tibetan Buddhist sites
Cycling the parkland paths around Houhai Lake in the city center

Day by day

1Cycling the Forbidden City, Hutongs, Lama Temple & Houhai LakeForbidden City · Lama Temple · Houhai Lake · bike rental shop in central Beijing · Tian'anmen Square · Hutong neighborhood · local food market · Bell Tower and Drum Tower · local restaurant along the route

Your guide meets you at the bike rental shop in central Beijing and provides a helmet and bike. You'll ride to Tian'anmen Square, then proceed through symbolic avenues toward the Forbidden City's south entrance. After exploring the palace grounds—a residence for emperors between 1368 and 1911—you'll exit via the north gate and continue into the Hutong neighborhood. Here the landscape shifts to narrow lanes and courtyard homes. You'll stop at a local food market to observe the trade in fresh ingredients and daily commerce, then pass through residential courtyards with clear views of the Bell Tower and Drum Tower overhead. From there, you cycle to the Lama Temple, where you'll leave your bike and walk inside this major Tibetan Buddhist site. The day concludes with an easy ride through the green paths encircling Houhai Lake before returning to the rental shop. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant along the route.

Where you go

Map: Beijing by Bike: Forbidden City, Hutongs & Lama Temple — Full Day route — Numbers follow the itinerary order. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

1Forbidden City

Included

English speaking guide service
Bike rental with helmets
Entrance fee
Chinse lunch in a local restaurant

Not included

International airfare
China Visa