For you, save your money and go see whatever site you want to see by yourself.

For a tourist that hasn't really seen any of China then the tour (not acutally sure which one your are talking about since they vary) gives a small sampling of different places.  Plus all of those tours make stops at a tea shop, jade place, TCM place, etc... so for a new tourist those stops can actually be fun and enlightening, and not just a waste of time that is trying to part you from your money.

Michael Thomas, seriously? There are several hundred tours available of Beijing. I know, I've looked at tons available through the web. Here's a new word for you... concise. Look it up, practice it, use it in a couple of sentences.

I took a Beijing tour maybe about 10 years ago.  I was the only foreigner out of 35 persons onj that tour.  it was nicd because it started from Guangzhou, and it was one week long.  But too many stops at factories and shops, besides the tour guide spoke no English, so I missed all the explanations.

But at Forbidden City I found a small booklet at a stall in English, explaining in detail all of the palaces, and from then on looked for same for rest of attractions, like Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall, etc.

If I would do it again, I would rather be on my own than with a tour, then I can stay at each place as long as I need to fully see all I want to see, and not in a rat race to keep with an schedule.

Do not I repeat do not take the tour of the Ming tombs.

I did a private tour, my own guide and car and driver. I went 5 star, most meals were included. It was great. I did not have to wait . I said when I go and where.