Tour options at the Temple of Heaven
There are three ways to see the Temple of Heaven with explanations. The park runs its own guide service at the south gate, with fees per group and per hour. A digital guide costs far less. A booked tour from a tour provider can combine the temple with other Beijing sights. They differ in price, language and what is included, so decide what you need first.
Check three things on any tour: whether entry tickets are included, what language the guide speaks and where it starts. Prices are in Chinese yuan (CNY) as of 2026. The park's guide fees are per group, not per person.
Our picks: guided Temple of Heaven tours
Our take: the walk with the Panjiayuan market is the best value for a half day. Take the private tour if you want your own guide, and the tour with tai chi for a morning with locals in the park.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Temple of Heaven and Panjiayuan market walk
- Temple of Heaven ticket
- English-speaking guide
- Public transport
A walk that links the temple with the Panjiayuan antiques market by public transport.
Check availability โ
Private Temple of Heaven tour
- Guide
- Entry ticket
- Hotel transfer for private tours
Your own guide with the entry included; private tours add a hotel transfer inside the 4th Ring Road.
Check availability โ
Temple of Heaven tour with optional tai chi
- Entries of the sights visited
- Guide with the tour option
- Tai chi with the matching option
Guided options with the entries of the sights visited; the tai chi session is part of the matching option.
Check availability โTemple of Heaven tours and Beijing day trips
Guided visits, city tours and day trips that include the Temple of Heaven, with live prices and availability.
Park guide fees 2026
Per hour and group, in CNY.
| Group size | Chinese, per hour | English, per hour |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 5 people | CNY 200 | CNY 300 |
| 6 to 10 people | CNY 250 | CNY 350 |
| 11 to 15 people | CNY 300 | CNY 400 |
| 16 to 20 people | CNY 350 | CNY 450 |
The meeting point is the south gate. Register two days ahead; the phone number is 010-67025289. The service is offered in Chinese and English. Service hours are 08:00 to 18:00 in high season and 08:00 to 17:00 in low season. The English guide at the south gate is also given as 08:00 to 15:00 in both seasons, so start early. The fee covers the guiding only. Entry tickets are extra; see the tickets page.
The digital guide
For visitors who prefer to go at their own pace.
Mini-program
The mini-program ๅ่ฏญๆถๅ is available at the entrances and exits, with times from 08:15 to 18:00. Mandarin costs CNY 30, other languages including German CNY 40, each without a deposit.
Automatic guide
An automatic guide device is given at CNY 40 plus a CNY 50 deposit. Ask at the gate which version is current. Guide hand-out points are at all four gates.
What it does not do
A digital guide is not a live German guide, a ticket or a priority entry. It replaces nothing but the explanations.
Building a day around the temple
The usual building blocks and their time windows.
Morning in the park
The park opens at 06:00 or 06:30. Local groups practice tai chi and sing before the halls open. Watch with respect and ask before you photograph people.
Tiantan Park โThe halls from 08:00
The Hall of Prayer, the Echo Wall and the Circular Mound Altar share one ticket. They are closed on Mondays, so a tour on a Monday cannot promise them.
Opening hours โQianmen afterwards
Qianmen Street and the Dashilan lanes are the usual next stop. The Zhengyangmen tower has a separate CNY 20 ticket and is closed on Mondays.
Qianmen โHongqiao market
The east gate leads over a pedestrian bridge to the Hongqiao market, where pearls and accessories are sold. Compare prices before you buy.
City tours โA full Beijing day often adds the palace or the wall. The guide to the Forbidden City tours and the guide to Mutianyu Great Wall tours cover those separately.
Which option fits you
A quick comparison of the three ways to get explanations.
| Option | Cost in 2026 | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Park guide, English | CNY 300 to 450 per hour and group | Small groups who want a live guide |
| Digital guide | CNY 30 to 40, plus a deposit for some devices | Solo travelers and budget visits |
| Booked tour | Price on each card above | Combining several Beijing sights in one day |
For most travelers the digital guide is enough for the temple alone. Choose the park guide when a live guide matters and you are up to five people. Choose a booked tour when you want one organized day with several stops, and check that entry tickets are included.
Temple of Heaven tours: frequently asked questions
How much is a guide at the Temple of Heaven?
The park's guide service costs CNY 200 to 350 per hour and group for Chinese and CNY 300 to 450 for English in 2026, depending on group size. A digital guide costs CNY 30 to 40.
Is there a German-speaking guide?
The park's live guide service is given in Chinese and English. The digital guide is available in other languages, including German, for CNY 40.
Does a tour include entry tickets?
It depends on the tour. The park's guide service does not include tickets. For booked tours, read what the card says is included.
Can I join a tour on a Monday?
The park is open on Mondays, but the Hall of Prayer, the Echo Wall and the Circular Mound Altar are closed except on statutory holidays. A Monday tour would cover the grounds only.
Do I need to book a tour in advance?
The park guide service needs two days of notice. For booked tours, book as early as you can, especially in the high season from April to October.