Best Bike Tours in Beijing

A bike tour in Beijing will allow you to experience the life and culture of the locals. Here are some of the best tours to do on your visit to Beijing.

Andressa García

Andressa García

11 min read

Best Bike Tours in Beijing

Bicycling in Beijing | ©Matthew Huntbach

You will love the exciting way to experience local life and culture, which the bike tour allows you to experience. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to see attractions such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven, as well as explore the traditional hutongs, taste local food in the street markets and enjoy the beautiful parks of the city.

Thanks to the versatility of this type of tours, bike tours are among the best things to see and do in Beijing, and this is because this means of transportation is a fun and easy way to get around the city, to reach places that would otherwise be difficult to reach. Moreover, during the bike tour you will be able to immerse yourself in the city and appreciate its fascinating culture and history.

1. Electric bike ride through Beijing's ancient hutongs

Beijing Hutongs| ©JapanVisitor
Beijing Hutongs| ©JapanVisitor

In the middle of this ride you will have the opportunity to discover the true beauty of Beijing' s ancient cities and learn about its culture and history as your tour guide will tell you everything you want to know about Chinese and Beijing culture.

During the ride you can also take thousands of photos of each place you visit, so you will remember your adventures, while having fun exploring the local alleys, visiting Beijing's epic sites and experiencing the best of Old Beijing.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay around 125 euros per person to enjoy this experience.
  • Duration: It will take you about 3 hours to complete the trip.
  • Means of transportation: The whole trip is completed by private car.
  • Advantages of this option: Helmet and bike rental is included. This is a private tour, meaning that only you and your group will participate in it. You will be accompanied by a tour guide. You will be offered bottled water throughout the trip. Round trip transportation from the designated meeting points is included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Alcoholic beverages, food and beverages are not included. Entrance fees to any of the temples and sites of interest to be visited are not included.

2. Half-day private cycling tour of the Forbidden City and Houhai Lake

Forbidden City| ©cattan2011
Forbidden City| ©cattan2011

During the city tour you will go to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, and also enjoy a delicious typical local lunch overlooking the Shichahai Lake, which is why this is one of the best tours in Beijing.

In addition to an extensive tour of all these places, you will also take an interesting bike ride along Hao Hai Lake to appreciate the scenery. Once at Tiananmen Square, you will get on the bike and start exploring the square and learn about its impressive monuments.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay about 235 euros per person to enjoy this experience.
  • Duration: It will take you about 3 hours to complete the activity.
  • Means of transport: The whole tour is completed by electric bicycle and metro.
  • Advantages of this option: Lunch or dinner is included. You will also be accompanied by a professional guide. Transportation from your hotel or lodging is included. This is a private tour, meaning that only you and your group will participate in the experience. Subway, bus and bicycle tickets are included. Entrance to all the places specified in the tour is included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Gratuities are not included. Transportation back to the hotel is not included.

3. Electric bicycle tour to see modern Beijing

Beijing Bicycles| ©Enrique RG
Beijing Bicycles| ©Enrique RG

While a great way to tour Beijing is to hop on a sightseeing bus that will take you around the city, you should add to that the opportunity to take an electric bicycle tour that will take you to explore the wonders of modern Beijing for half a day.

Your guide will take you around the different points of interest in the city, taking you on a ride through the ancient wonders of the hutongs in the Dongcheng district, and with special emphasis on modern buildings such as the CCTV building.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay around 123 euros per person to enjoy this experience.
  • Duration: The tour lasts approximately 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: The whole tour is done by bicycle.
  • Advantages of this option: The use of a helmet is included. It is a private tour, that is, only you and your group will participate in it. The use of the bicycle is included. A tour guide will accompany you at all times.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Drinks and food are not included. Personal expenses are not included.

4. 4-hour private tour of the Hutongs with dumpling lunch

Yinding Bridge| ©sftrajan
Yinding Bridge| ©sftrajan

You will stroll through authentic Beijing hutongs, while experiencing local life in this historic area of the city. Some of the sights to see in this area of the city include several ancient hutong areas and the three lakes Xihai, Huhai and Qianhai.

Visit the Yinding Bridge and enjoy the atmosphere on this famous bridge over the lake. You will also have the opportunity to climb the steps to the Drum Tower to enjoy a drum performance and views of Beijing.

In addition, you will go to the lively Nanluoguxiang Street, taste some local flavors and visit the Wuyutai Tea Shop. You will visit other interesting places in the city, before heading back to your hotel or accommodation site.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay around 256 euros per person to enjoy this experience.
  • Duration: It will take you about 4 hours to complete the whole tour.
  • Means of transportation: The whole trip is done by bicycle.
  • Advantages of this option: The company of a tour guide is included. Cab and subway fares are also included. Bicycle and helmet rental is included. Entrance fees to the Drum Tower are included, as well as lunch. Entrance fees to the rest of the attractions to be visited during the tour are also included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Alcoholic beverages are not included. Street food tasting is not included. Tipping is at your own expense. Personal expenses are not included.

5. Houhai Lake bike tour and private Tai Chi class

Houhai Lake| ©sftrajan
Houhai Lake| ©sftrajan

In this tour you will have the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable experience on the shores of Xisha Hai Lake, where you will be able to participate in Tai Chi classes, as well as take a bike ride around the place.

The Tai Chi class lasts about an hour and during that time, you will be learning some basic movements of this discipline, which will leave you wanting to go and enjoy some of the best Kung Fu shows in Beijing. Once the Tai Chi class is over, you will get on a bike and go for a ride around the Shichahai Lake area to enjoy the scenery and take hundreds of pictures of everything you see along the way.

Details of interest

  • Price: The price of this experience is about 150 euros per person.
  • Duration: It will take about 4 hours to complete the tour.
  • Means of transport: The whole experience is completed by bicycle.
  • Advantages of this option: This is a private tour, meaning that only you and your group will be able to participate in this tour. Transportation to and from the hotel or lodging site is included. Bottled water is included. You will be accompanied by a professional guide. One hour Tai Chi class is included. Transportation from your hotel or lodging site to the Tai Chi class is included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Tips are not included. Transportation to your hotel or lodging site is not included.

6. Ride through Imperial Beijing on an electric bicycle

Beijing by night| ©Eneko Bidegain
Beijing by night| ©Eneko Bidegain

You will experience the spooky side of Beijing on this ride through the city's street slums at night. You will see how the locals come out to play, sing and dance all night long, so you can also leave your bike aside and join them.

In addition, on this tour you will also have the opportunity to go to the Forbidden City to cycle around it and enjoy its splendor in the dim light at night.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay around 65 euros per person to enjoy this experience.
  • Duration: It will take you about two and a half hours to complete the tour.
  • Means of transport: The whole tour is done by bicycle.
  • Advantages of this option: The rental of the electric bicycle is included, as well as the helmet rental.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Food, drinks and personal expenses are not included.

7. Huanghuacheng private bicycle tour and hiking in Huanghuacheng

View of the Chinese wall| ©Dennis Jarvis
View of the Chinese wall| ©Dennis Jarvis

During this eight-hour tour from Beijing, you will explore the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall of China, some of it by bike and some of it walking. The beauty of the ride is that your guide will take you to different towns and villages, while telling you all about the Great Wall of China.

If there is one thing you will like about this tour of the Great Wall in the Huanghuacheng section, it is that this is the only part of this wonder of the world that is located by the lake, so you will experience this mountainous terrain in all its splendor. Later on you will be able to cycle into the countryside, and at the end of the experience you will taste a traditional lunch.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay around 298 euros per person.
  • Duration: It will take you about 9 hours to complete the tour.
  • Means of transport: The whole tour is done by bicycle.
  • Advantages of this option: You will be accompanied by a tour guide. You will be offered lunch. Bicycle and helmet rental is included. Transportation in a private vehicle is included when necessary. Round trip transportation to and from the hotel or lodging site is included. Bottled water is provided throughout the tour. Included in the price is the entrance fee to the Great Wall of China in the Huanghuacheng section.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Tips are not included in the price. Personal expenses, drinks or meals are also not included.

8. Beijing Beer Brewery Bike Tour

Beijing Beer| ©Mr Thinktank
Beijing Beer| ©Mr Thinktank

On this tour, you are going to meet your private guide in the afternoon to go enjoy some good drinks at Slow Boat Brewery, which is quite famous in the city. Popular beers to try during your visit include Monkey's Fist Imperial, Moon Jelly Clear Ne IPA, Helmsman's Honey Ale and Las Musas Horchata Cream Ale.

Right after visiting the brewery, you will stroll through the winding streets of the Hutongs and make a second stop at Jing A Taproom, Beijing's most famous pub. And finally, you'll continue pedaling through some of Beijing' s oldest and most authentic hutong neighborhoods, such as Nanluoguxiang.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will pay around 100 euros per person to enjoy this experience.
  • Duration: It will take about 4 hours until the tour ends.
  • Means of transport: The whole tour is done by bicycle.
  • Advantages of this option: You will be accompanied by a tour guide throughout the tour. You will be offered four IPA beers. The bike tour through the Hutongs is included and helmet rental is also included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Additional beers are not included. Dinner and snacks are also not included in the price. Cab and subway fares are not included. Tips are not included.

9. Mutianyu Great Wall Cycling and Hiking Day Tour

Mutianyu Great Wall| ©Fabio Achilli
Mutianyu Great Wall| ©Fabio Achilli

On this tour you will travel to Mutianyu Great Wall to appreciate the architecture of the place. You will go to Mutianyu by private car and as soon as you arrive, you will exchange the vehicle for a bicycle to ride along the Huairou Reservoir and enjoy the natural beauty around.

After about an hour, you will enjoy a delicious traditional Chinese lunch at a local restaurant. At the end of the tour, you will be able to go sledding and then return to your hotel or accommodation.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay from 308 euros per person to participate in this tour.
  • Duration: It will take you about 8 hours to complete the whole activity.
  • Means of transportation: The entire tour is completed by bicycle and private car.
  • Advantages of this option: Bike rental is included. You will be accompanied by a tour guide. Helmet rental is included. Round trip transportation to and from your hotel or lodging is included. You will be offered bottled water and lunch.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Tips are not included.

10. Bicycle in Beijing with a visit to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen and Temple of Heaven

Through the Tiananmen Gate| ©Shande Villa
Through the Tiananmen Gate| ©Shande Villa

This cultural bike tour of Beijing's sites gives you a truly fascinating look at parts of the city you may not have known existed. During the tour, your guide will help you ride your bike and then take you to visit ancient huts and side streets of old Beijing.

After visiting Tiananmen Square, you will continue your bike tour to the Temple of Heaven. At some point you will enjoy a homemade lunch with a local family where you will learn about life in the city from a local's point of view. In addition, in the afternoon, you will take a bike ride to the Forbidden City.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay around 170 euros per person to enjoy this experience.
  • Duration: It will take you about 10 hours to complete the tour.
  • Means of transport: The whole tour is completed by private car and bicycle.
  • Advantages of this option: You will be accompanied by a tour guide. Bicycle and helmet rental is included. You will be offered lunch with a local family. You will be offered drinking water during the whole trip.
  • Disadvantages of this option: You will not be offered tips to guide you during your visit to Beijing. Personal expenses are not included.

Why is it advisable to take a bicycle tour in Beijing?

Cycling in Beijing| ©YOMELAN
Cycling in Beijing| ©YOMELAN

I recommend a bicycle tour of Beijing to see parts of the city that you would not have discovered otherwise, and also because by bicycle you can discover the city at a more pleasant pace than in a cab or on the subway. In addition, the bicycle allows you to cover more area than walking and is more maneuverable in the city streets.

It is an experience that you should include among your activities to do in the city because, besides being a fun and exciting experience, it allows you to get to know the history and culture of the city in a more authentic way and see places that do not appear in the tourist guides.