4 Boat Trips in Beijing, Priced, Timed and Compared

1.Water-Great Wall Odyssey: Hike & Cruise One Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · 9 hours · from $52Our pick

Spend five hours at Huanghuacheng, the Great Wall section that meets a mountain lake. Your English-speaking guide, often Cici, Shannon, or another team member, handles the route and timing while you hike, take the included boat ride, and enjoy free time. Optional rafting costs 140 RMB.

“Amazing Experience at the Great Wall with an Exceptional Guide! We had an unforgettable tour to the Great Wall, and our guide CiCi truly made the day special. She went above and beyond to make sure everyone was comfortable and informed. CiCi is not only incredibly knowledgeable, sharing important details and fascinating historical facts, but she’s also genuinely warm, sweet, and attentive. What really stood out was how she paid attention to everyone’s individual needs — she made sure that each person felt seen and supported throughout the tour. Communication with her was smooth and friendly the entire time. The section of the Wall we visited was stunning — less…”

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2.Water-Great Wall Odyssey: Scenic Bus & Cruise Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · from $50

You’ll ride from central Beijing to Huanghuacheng with guide Cici or another English-speaking escort, then spend five hours exploring at your own pace. Admission, round-trip bus transport, and the Great Wall boat ride are included. Optional glass-slide rafting costs 140 RMB.

“This trip to the Great Wall of Huanghuacheng was an excellent experience. We were contacted the day before by Cici our companion to explain the details of the day. The same day during the bus ride she explained the history of the Great Read moreAuto-translated”

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3.Longqingxia Gorge Cruise and Guyaju Cave Dwellings Private Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $216

Leave Beijing at 8 a.m. for a private drive to Longqing Gorge, where a 1.5-hour boat ride passes temples, caves, and karst peaks. After a regional lunch, explore Guyaju’s 170-plus rock-cut rooms with an English-speaking guide. Guides may include Linda, Jeffrey, Daisy, May, or Coco.

“Beautiful place but a bit far journey out of Beijing. Nonetheless a good scenery trip to take a break out of the city! The tour guide Daisy and driver is helpful and friendly. Lunch is sumptuous at a local restaurant.”

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4.Imperial Waterway Boat+Summer Palace SelfGuidedTour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 6 reviews · 4 hours · from $40Best value

This four-hour self-guided outing begins at Zizhuyuan Park, continues with a quiet 28-minute boat ride from Ziyu Bay Wharf, and ends at the Summer Palace. You receive the cruise, palace admission, and a guide book. There is no live guide, and the boat ride inside the palace costs extra.

“Gewone boottocht. Tuin van zomerpaleis héél groot. Wel vele gebouwen niet toegankelijk.”

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