Review: 3-Day Beijing Horseback Riding Tour
My partner and I recently completed China’s 3-Day Beijing Horseback Riding Tour, and after experiencing it firsthand, I felt it was worth sharing with fellow riders who may be considering a riding holiday in China.
For context, I have ridden a handful of times previously, while my partner was a complete beginner with no prior riding experience. We were specifically looking for a genuine riding-focused experience rather than a tourist attraction offering horseback riding as a side activity.
The first thing that stood out to us was the quality and condition of the horses. There was a good variety of horses available, each with their own personality and temperament. More importantly, the horses appeared healthy, well-fed, well-trained, and genuinely cared for. As riders, we all know it doesn’t take long to spot horses that are simply being worked for tourism revenue. That was not the case here. The horses were responsive, calm, and suitable for different rider levels, including complete beginners. Tack and equipment were also clean and well-maintained.
The package itself consisted of a 3-hour riding lesson on Day 1, followed by two full riding days with approximately 6 hours in the saddle each day, split into morning and afternoon sessions. This provided a surprisingly good balance between instruction, riding time, rest, and recovery.
The coaching team was another major highlight. Our primary guide, Lin (小末), handled logistics and communication, while Instructor Tian led much of the riding instruction. Tian’s approach was professional, safety-focused, and technically sound. He was firm when necessary but always constructive. Every correction had a purpose, and both my partner and I could feel tangible improvement in our riding over the three days.
Special mention must also go to instructor Dan 总 and Ethan, who joined us during parts of our rides. Despite not being directly assigned to us throughout the programme, they consistently took time to observe, offer corrections, answer questions, and share their experience. Their willingness to help accelerated our learning considerably. It genuinely felt like everyone at the ranch was invested in helping riders improve rather than simply completing another tour booking.
One aspect I particularly appreciated was the emphasis on safety and horsemanship. The instructors continuously monitored riders, adjusted expectations according to ability, and ensured everyone remained comfortable while still making meaningful progress. My partner started the trip as a complete beginner and finished it with far more confidence than either of us expected.
Beyond the riding itself, what made this experience memorable was the hospitality. Over the three days, what started as a professional guide-client relationship gradually became a genuine friendship. Lin introduced us to local restaurants and eateries around Miyun that we would never have discovered ourselves, giving us a much more authentic experience of the area than staying within a typical tourist itinerary.
The team also surprised us with an impromptu photoshoot using traditional Hanfu, bows, swords, and other props they had available at the ranch. They spent considerable time helping us take photos and videos, creating memories we never expected to bring home from a riding trip. Remarkably, they only charged a small cleaning fee for the costumes, which honestly felt far below what the experience was worth.
Another point worth mentioning is the company’s approach to business. At no point did we feel pressured regarding payments, upgrades, or additional purchases. The focus was always on ensuring we had a great riding experience first. The commercial side of things felt secondary to their genuine passion for horses and introducing people to riding.
We visited slightly later than the ideal spring season and unfortunately missed the famous blooming flowers that the team told us usually cover the landscape earlier in the year. Even so, the scenery was beautiful, the riding routes were enjoyable, and the overall experience felt authentic rather than manufactured for tourists.
As someone who values horse welfare, competent instruction, safety standards, and meaningful riding experiences, I would have no hesitation recommending this tour provider to riders of any level—from complete beginners to more experienced equestrians looking for a unique riding holiday in China.
For us, it was a genuine 5/5 experience and one we would gladly return for in the future.
Thank you to Lin (小末), Instructor Tian, Dan 总, and Ethan for your patience, professionalism, hospitality, and for sharing your passion for horses with us.
