Hi Tina,

Thank you for reaching out! I’m so glad you found us, and I’m excited to help with your upcoming trip to China! It sounds like you have a fantastic whirlwind tour ahead with Beijing adventure!

 

For the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace, I recommend renting audio guides—they’re a great option if you want a more flexible, cost-effective way to explore. These guides are available in multiple languages, and you can use them at your own pace to dive into the history and culture of each site.

 

For the Summer Palace, you can rent the electronic audio guide at various entrances, including East Palace Gate and North Palace Gate. The audio guides come in 19 languages, so you can pick one that suits you best. The Summer Palace also offers live tours, but I’d suggest sticking with the audio guide or official tours rather than hiring private guides at the entrance (those are often unofficial and can be unreliable). If you're interested in a live guide, you can book in advance at the official service desks ( Tour Guide Serice Tel: 62865056 62881144-64300),  but do note that booking live tours can involve more paperwork and a higher price.

 

For the Forbidden City, audio guides are available in 40 languages, and you can rent them at the Meridian Gate or Shenwu Gate. The cost is 40 RMB for an English guide, and you’ll just need to leave a 100 RMB deposit. If you prefer a live guide, you can book ahead via phone or on-site at the ticket office, but the process can be a bit more involved and expensive (Tour Guide Serice Tel: 8500-7427 ).

 

For the Temple of Heaven, the audio guide option is also available at the entrances, and it’s a simple way to explore the park in languages like English, French, and more. Group tours are available in English, but booking in advance is required (Tour Guide Servic Tel: 010-67025289).

 

Regarding our services, Ruqin China Travel doesn’t offer personal tour guide services, but we’re happy to guide you to the best options available at each site.

 

I hope this helps with your planning! Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or need further assistance with your itinerary.

 

Safe travels, and I’m sure your May 2025 adventure will be unforgettable!

 

Best,
Ruqin China Travel