can you visit the forbidden city

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting The Forbidden City

Why is it called the forbidden city.

The Forbidden City is also called the Palace Museum. It was off-limits to the general public for over 500 years. Only the emperor, his family, and authorized officials were allowed to enter, giving it an aura of secrecy and exclusivity.

Forbidden City Tip: Logistics

How to buy the Forbidden City tickets?

Five crucial facts you should Know!

#1 The Forbidden City is not open on Monday!!!

#2 This is super important!! There are a limited number of tickets every day. (It can be sold out during the low season; There are only 50000 tickets every day till now)

#3 The tickets can be booked seven days before at 8 pm. So try to get your tickets as early as you can.

#4 Time-slot reservation policy and ticket inspection measures For example, if you booked the morning tickets, you should get in before noon, and afternoon tickets can only go inside the afternoon.

# 5 The business shooting is prohibited, so the gimble and triple cannot be taken inside.

3 WAYS TO BUY FORBIDDEN CITY TICKETS

NO.1 All domestic tourists buy tickets from WeChat; however, international tourists do not recommend it since all the apps are in Chinese, and you must pay via WeChat or Alipay. If you can use WeChat, search for “故宫博物院，” and”you will be led to the ticket booking site.

NO.2 You can easily book the tickets from the official website of the Forbidden City. ( The Palace Museum (dpm.org.cn) )

NO 3. Send an email to the Forbidden City to book the tickets.

Internatio”al visitors can reserve admission tickets up to seven days before the day of visit and are required to submit by email the full name, passport number, and intended visit date of each visitor to the Museum’s offMuseum’scket reservation email address at [email protected] at a minimum of one calendar day in advance. An individual may only reserve one admission ticket on any given visit date.

I will keep you updated! You can also send me an email to check the new policy.

How To Get There?

Address: No.4 Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China Zipcode: 100009

Taxi or subway

Show the taxi driver: 天安门广场

The Forbidden City is friendly and easy to reach. It is just the north of Tiananmen Square. So before visiting the Forbidden City, you may also like to walk around Tiananmen Square first.

Hop on the Beijing subway, and get yourself to Tiananmen East station (located almost in the middle of the Beijing subway map, on the red Central Line 1 ).

If you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll notice a notice telling you which exit to go to reach Tiananmen Square (Go out from Exit B).

Once you’ve left your driveway station exit B , you’ll find yourself at the end of a long line waiting for security to enter Tiananmen. (The Security queue can be long and easily take half an hour.)

From the doorway down the Tiananmen Tower, it is about 200 meters to get to the Forbidden City.

If you have limited time and don’t want to wait for the long security queue, you can skip Tiananmen Square and walk to the Forbidden City directly. You can visit Tiananmen Square in the afternoon; the line is usually shorter.

Opening Hours & Ticket Prices

The best time to visit.

As time changes, the Forbidden City looks different with its specialties. So you can visit the Forbidden City almost the whole year. (It is not open all Monday)

Forbidden City is the busiest attraction in Beijing, so it is always full of people. Some tips for you to avoid the crowds:

1. Go earlier. It opens at 8:30 am, so arrive at 8 am and queue at the beginning. You can go in front of the groups and enjoy the Forbidden City by yourself.

2. Go late. The Forbidden City closes at 5 pm, so if you go around 2 pm, it is not as busy as in the Morning.

3. It is better not to visit the Forbidden City at the weekend.

4. Avoid all the important Chinese holidays, such as National Day and the Chinese New Year.

Food and drink

There are six restaurants inside the Forbidden City, like fast Chinese food; the quality is OK, and the budget is around 100RMB per person. (I have marked them out on the map below). But it is straightforward to find shops to sell water and snacks. A bottle of water is 4 RMB.

Hear entertaining stories of the Forbidden City

Discover the hidden tales and untold history of the Forbidden City. Prepare yourself for an extraordinary journey by reading the stories behind this majestic imperial palace.

20 Intriguing Secrets and Facts Revealed in Forbidden City

Forbidden City Tips: Seeing the highlights

Forbidden city map + best travel routes (From Local guide suggestion)

1 Meridian Gate （午门）

The Meridian Gate, the main entrance of the Forbidden City in Beijing, is located on the north-south axis of the Forbidden City. You can always go up to the Gate to see a bird ‘ s-eye view of the Forbidden City before you go deep inside. When you enter the Forbidden City, turn left, and you will find the stairs up to the Meridian Gate. There are always some excellent temporary exhibitions from all over the world.

2 Hall of Supreme Harmony (outer court) （太和殿）

The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest structure in the Forbidden City and was once the tallest building in the capital. It was used for state occasions, such as the emperor’s crown ceremony and the nomination of military leaders.

3 Palace of Heavenly Purity (inner court) （乾清宫）

This is the residence of Ming and early Qing emperors and later an audience hall for receiving foreign envoys and high officials. The highlights are the decorations inside. 1. How did the Qing emperor choose his successors ? 2. What is the emperor’s bedroom like? 3. 6 big mirrors inside, do you know what it is for?…

4 Six Western Palaces （西六宫）

A dozen smaller palace courtyards lie to the west and east of the three lesser central halls. It was in these self-contained abodes where most emperors and empresses lived.

The 6 Western Palaces are the Original Forms of the Old Life. You can easily find the palace where the last emperor lived and Cixi’s palacCixi’s

5 Eastern Palaces（东六宫）

Like the 6 Western Palaces, these are also the palaces where the concubines live. But they have changed into exhibitions now. The bronzes exhibition at the Palace of Celestial Favour and Palace of Enteral Harmony. Ceramic show at the Palace of Prolonging Happiness.

6 Treasure Gallery （珍宝馆）

On the northeastern edge of the complex is what feels like a mini Forbidden City all of its own. The Palace of Tranquil Longevity was built around 1771 for Qing Emperor Qianlong, though he never moved in.

Nine dragon screen is just at the entrance. There are a lot of exhibitions inside, such as the Jade exhibition at the Palace of Tranquil Longevity and the Drum-shaped stone locks exhibition at the Hall of Imperial Supremacy.

7 Imperial Garden （御花园）

The Imperial Garden is 130 meters wide over 90 meters long. In the Garden, there are ancient towering pines and junipers. Grass. Strange flowers and rocks . The whole garden is where ladies living in the forbidden city like to walk around. It is exquisite.

Jinshan Park （景山公园）

Jinshan Park does not belong to the Forbidden City; it is at the north exit of the Forbidden City. It is a super nice view if you go up the hill to see the Forbidden City, which can make your Forbidden City visit complete .

So I advise now to go to the excellent gift shop, the Forbidden City, and the sights around are too good to devote just one day to; use the guide to pinpoint exactly what else you’d like to do and mark them for the next time.

Jingshan Park Travel Guide

Forbidden City travel FAQS

How to avoid the crowd?

Early bird and late bird!

Early bird is always helpful to avoid the crowd. But it is not my favorite time to go early.

I don’t recommend you go early because everyone thinks the same, especially the tour groups. A long queue waits at the front door(medium gate) before opening. If you only have 1 or 2 hours to visit, I highly recommend you go after 1:30 pm. It is much better.

Every day from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm , the Museum receives the most visitors.

If you want to stay inside for a whole day, be the early bird since it is vast.

There are some Chinese holidays; it is always busy. If you can skip them, it helps you get a better travel experience.

Dates to avoid visiting China!

How do I visit the Forbidden City by myself?

If you want to see as much as possible, please read the blog below. It can easily take you 4 hours or more.

Forbidden City Map + Best Travel Routes (Without BACK AND FORTH)

If you don’t have one, choose some interesting sights to see.

Tour Guide or Audio Guide

A tour guide is essential to learn more details about the Forbidden City. But you can also quickly get an audio guide at the entrance (The cost of renting any version of the device is CNY 40 (Chinese and Cantonese are both CNY 20); return at the exit, no deposit needed). It includes 35 languages.

What should I wear？

There is nothing you should be concerned about regarding the dress. Just wear comfortable walking shoes as it is big inside with many steps.

What MUST I take?

Your passport. It would be best if you had access to the Forbidden City. A security check is always near the square, so it is a must before you visit.

Wheelchair Accessible

Yes. Just around the axis of the Forbidden City.

Where to finish the Forbidden City trip?

There are two exits in the Forbidden City: the North gate and the East gate.

Most people choose the north gate to go out.

Going out from the east gate is good!

A. Your time is minimal . You can jump in, take some photos, and leave. It can help you save a lot of time. You may especially waste time in the queue. B. You are with people who are not good walkers . This is an easy way for people to understand the Forbidden City. C. If you want to take a fantastic photo of the Forbidden City. The best time is 10 minutes before it closes. Going out from the north gate may be rushed, so the east gate is the best choice.

Other sights near the Forbidden City

After completing the Forbidden City trip, it is better to go up to Jingshan Park to enjoy a bird’ s-eye of the Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City turret is also a great place for photos.

Beihai Park is a 5-minute from the North Gate of the Forbidden City.

Good restaurants near the Forbidden City

After the long walk, I guess you must feel a bit tired and hungry. Unfortunately, there is no good restaurant near the north gate of the Forbidden City, but you may like to go to a good coffee restaurant.[ Alley Coffee 寻常巷陌 It is near the east entrance of Jinshan Park, about a 5-minute walk from the North Gate of the Forbidden City.

Can I visit the Great Wall and the Forbidden City in 1 day?

It is doable if you have limited time, such as a layover. But both will be a bit rushed; I suggest you do them in 2 days.

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Forbidden City

Top choice in Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central

Enclosed by 3.5km of citadel walls at the very heart of Beijing, the Unesco-listed Forbidden City is China’s largest and best-preserved collection of ancient buildings – large enough to comfortably absorb the 16 million visitors it receives each year. Steeped in stultifying ritual, this otherworldly palace was the reclusive home to two dynasties of imperial rule, sharing 900-plus buildings with a retinue of eunuchs, servants and concubines, until the Republic overthrew the last Qing emperor in 1911.

The year 2020 marks the 600th anniversary of the Forbidden City, which the palace intends to celebrate by ensuring more of the complex is open for visitors than at any other time in its history as a tourist attraction. Which is a longer history than you might think – the Palace Museum (故宫博物馆, Gùgōng Bówùguǎn), as the Forbidden City is officially called, first opened in 1925, just one year after Puyi, the abdicated 'last emperor', was evicted from the Inner Court.

Built between 1406 and 1420 by the Ming emperor Yongle, the construction of the Forbidden City was a titanic undertaking, employing battalions of labourers and craftspeople. Pillars of precious nanmu wood were floated from the jungles of southwest China to the capital, while blocks of quarried stone were hauled to the palace in winter over ingenious ice roads. Once built, the Forbidden City was governed by a stultifying code of rules, protocol and superstition; 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties governed China from its closed-off world, often erratically and haphazardly, until revolution swept them all away just a century ago. Despite its age, most of the buildings you see are post-18th-century Qing dynasty constructions and renovations – fire was a constant hazard, hence the enormous brass water vats everywhere.

Planning Your Visit

Although you can explore the Forbidden City in a few hours, a full day will keep you occupied and the enthusiast will make several trips. Most visitors focus their energies on the showpiece ceremonial halls and parade grounds, which take up the central axis in the outer court (southern half) of the complex. But the real thrill comes from exploring the labyrinth of courtyards and halls, laid out on a more human scale, on either side of the central axis, and from parading along the tops of the 10m-high walls for aerial views of the palace.

Entering the Forbidden City

In imperial times the penalty for uninvited admission was severe, although mere mortals wouldn't have even got close; the Imperial City girdled the Forbidden City with yet another set of huge walls cut through with four heavily guarded gates – including the Gate of Heavenly Peace , upon which hangs Mao's portrait. These days, tourists enter through the Meridian Gate , a massive U-shaped portal at the south end of the complex, once reserved for the emperor alone. Gongs and bells would sound imperial comings and goings, while lesser mortals used lesser gates: the military used the west gate, civilians the east gate and servants the north gate. The emperor also reviewed his armies from the Meridian Gate, passed judgement on prisoners, announced the new year’s calendar and oversaw the flogging of troublesome ministers.

Through the Meridian Gate, you pass into a vast courtyard and cross the Golden Stream (金水, Jīn Shuǐ) – shaped to resemble a Tartar bow and spanned by five marble bridges – on your way to the magnificent Gate of Supreme Harmony , beyond which the courtyard could hold an imperial audience of 100,000 people.

Mounting the Wall

Since 2018, visitors can climb the Forbidden City's Wall just inside and to the east of the Meridian Gate , follow it eastwards to the Corner Tower, and then north to the East Prosperity Gate. This route includes the Gallery of Historic Architecture , with exhibition spaces in the Corner Tower and the splendid East Prosperity Gate. In total, around three quarters of the 3.4km wall wall can now be climbed, a fine way to leave the crowds behind and take awesome photographs.

First Side Galleries

Before you pass through the Gate of Supreme Harmony to reach the Forbidden City’s star attractions, veer off to the west of the huge courtyard to visit the Hall of Martial Valour , where emperors would receive ministers. It houses a changing line-up of exhibitions. Just to the south is the Furniture Gallery , occupying an area known as the Southern Storehouses, which opened for the first time in 2018.

The Hall of Literary Brilliance complex to the east of the Meridian Gate was formerly used as a residence by the crown prince. It was rebuilt in 1683 after being destroyed by fire. It too hosts a changing line-up of exhibitions throughout the year, but is sometimes closed between November and March.

Three Great Halls

Raised on a three-tier marble terrace representing the Chinese character for king (王; wáng ), are the Three Great Halls (三大殿; Sān Dàdiàn), the glorious heart of the Forbidden City. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the most important and largest structure in the Forbidden City, and was once the tallest building in the capital. It was used for state occasions, such as the emperor’s birthday, coronations and the nomination of military leaders. Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony is a richly decorated Dragon Throne (龙椅; Lóngyǐ), from which the emperor would preside over trembling officials. The entire court had to touch the floor nine times with their foreheads (the custom known as kowtowing) in the emperor’s presence. At the back of the throne is a carved Xumishan, the Buddhist paradise, signifying the throne’s supremacy. Today you can only view it from the outside, and it virtually requires a rugby scrum to do so.

Behind the Hall of Supreme Harmony is the Hall of Central Harmony , which was used as the emperor’s transit lounge. Here he would make last-minute preparations, rehearse speeches and receive ministers. On display are two Qing dynasty sedan chairs, the emperor’s mode of transport around the Forbidden City. The last of the Qing emperors, Puyi, used a bicycle and altered some features of the palace grounds to make it easier to get around.

The third of the Great Halls is the Hall of Preserving Harmony , used for banquets and later for imperial examinations. The hall has no support pillars, and to its rear is a 250-tonne marble imperial carriageway carved with dragons and clouds; it was hauled into the city on an ingenious path of ice – they had to wait until winter to do so. The peripheral buildings surrounding the Three Great Halls were used for storing gold, silver, silks, carpets and other treasures, and now house museum exhibits.

Lesser Central Halls

The basic configuration of the Three Great Halls is echoed by the next group of buildings, reached through the Gate of Heavenly Purity . Traditionally, this gate was the dividing line between the ceremonial outer court and the inner court to the north, where the emperors and their entourages actually lived and worked. Smaller in scale, these buildings were more important in terms of real power, which in China traditionally lies at the back door.

The first structure is the Palace of Heavenly Purity , a residence of Ming and early Qing emperors, and later an audience hall for receiving foreign envoys and high officials.

Immediately behind it is the Hall of Union , which contains a clepsydra – a water clock made in 1745 with five bronze vessels and a calibrated scale. You'll also find a mechanical clock built in 1797 and a collection of imperial jade seals on display. The Palace of Earthly Tranquillity was the imperial couple’s bridal chamber and the centre of operations for the palace harem.

Imperial Garden

At the northern end of the Forbidden City is the Imperial Garden , a classical Chinese garden with 7000 sq metres of fine landscaping, including rockeries, walkways, pavilions and ancient, carbuncular cypresses. At its centre is the double-eaved Hall of Imperial Peace. Nearby, the Lodge of Spiritual Cultivation is where British tutor Sir Reginald Johnston gave English lessons to the abdicated 'last emperor' Puyi.

Treasure Gallery

On the northeastern edge of the complex is what feels like a mini Forbidden City all of its own. This is the Palace of Tranquil Longevity (宁寿宫; Níng Shòu Gōng), built around 1771 for Qing emperor Qianlong's retirement, though he never moved in. Today it holds the Treasure Gallery , one of the palace's most important collections of ornamental objects, which are crafted from gold, silver, jade, emeralds, pearls, and other gems and semi-precious stones.

The complex is entered from the south – not far from the unmissable Gallery of Clocks . Just inside the entrance , you’ll find a beautiful glazed Nine Dragon Screen , modelled after the one in Beihai Park.

From there you work your way north, exploring various halls and courtyards before exiting at the northern end of the Forbidden City. En route, seek out the Pavilion of Cheerful Melodies , a three-storey wooden opera house, which was the palace’s largest theatre. Note the trap doors that allowed actors to make dramatic stage entrances.

Western & Eastern Palaces

A dozen smaller palace courtyards lie to the west and east of the three lesser central halls. It was in these self-contained abodes, like far grander versions of Beijing's sìhéyuàn mansions in the hutong, where most of the emperors and empresses actually lived. Many of the buildings, particularly those to the west, are decked out in imperial furniture.

Other Attractions

Parts of the palace that were previously off limits are opening all the time. Due west of the Gate of Heavenly Purity are a collection of halls and gardens where the empresses and concubines of deceased emperors resided. Known as the Palace of Compassion and Tranquillity , it was used for storage for many decades after 1925 and today houses the Sculpture Gallery , which includes Buddhist statues, terracotta warriors, exquisite stone reliefs and more, from as far back as the Warring States period.

To the south is the Garden of Compassion and Tranquillity , where empress dowagers and imperial consorts worshipped the Buddha, entertained themselves and rested. To the west is the Palace of Longevity and Health , built for emperor Qianlong's mother.

Get In Touch

010 8500 7114

https://www.dpm.org.cn/

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Nearby Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central attractions

1 . Palace of Heavenly Purity

This hall was the principal residence of the emperor in the Ming and early Qing dynasties, where the son of heaven slept and worked. Later in the Qing…

2 . Gate of Heavenly Purity

The Gate of Heavenly Purity was the main portal between the outer and inner courts of the Forbidden City. Note the pair of gilded bronze lions guarding…

3 . Hall of Union

The middle of the three outer halls, the Hall of Union was the place for the empress to receive greetings from her high-ranking subjects during major…

4 . Hall of Mental Cultivation

In the late Qing dynasty, the Hall of Mental Cultivation was where empress dowagers Cixi and Cian took charge of the state affairs behind a screen, when…

5 . Palace of Eternal Longevity

One of the six western palaces in the Forbidden City, this was the residence of various empresses and imperial concubines. The Chongzhen Emperor (1628…

6 . Palace of Earthly Tranquillity

This palace was originally the residence of the empress, and in later times became the imperial couple’s bridal chamber (they only spent the first two…

7 . Palace of Great Benevolence

One of the six eastern palaces in the Forbidden City, this was a residence of imperial concubines. Emperor Kangxi, most exalted of the Qing emperors (or…

8 . Hall of Preserving Harmony

The third of the Great Halls is the Hall of Preserving Harmony, used for banquets and later for imperial examinations. Descending from the rear of the…

Forbidden City, China (Palace Museum)

How to Visit
Forbidden City Tours
Architecture
8 Fun Facts
Top 20 FAQs
Meridian Gate
Gate of Supreme Harmony
Hall of Supreme Harmony
Hall of Central Harmony
Hall of Preserved Harmony
Gate of Heavenly Purity
Palace of Heavenly Purity
Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union
Palace of Earthly Tranquility
Imperial Garden
Gate of Divine Prowess
Hall of Martial Valor
Hall of Mental Cultivation
Six Western Palaces
Palace of Compassion and Tranquility
Palace of Longevity and Good Health
Hall of Literary Glory
Palace of Abstinence
Hall for Ancestry Worship
Six Eastern Palaces
Palace of Tranquil Longevity
Treasure Gallery
Qianlong Garden

The Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, lies in the city center of Beijing, and was once the Chinese imperial palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911). It was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1987 and is the largest, best-preserved ancient timber-built palace complex in the world. Constructed between 1406 and 1420 during the reign of Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Forbidden City was home to 24 emperors and their families and acted as the ceremonial and political center of ancient Chinese government throughout 500 years. After the Last Emperor of China left the palace, it later became a museum open to the public in 1925. Since then, the Forbidden City is no longer ‘forbidden’, and now ordinary people are able to take a virtual trip in time to see the secrets and luxury of imperial life. Rectangular in shape, the Forbidden City is enormous, covering an area of 72 hectares, and boasting more than 9,000 bays of rooms. It is divided into two parts – the Outer Court for national affairs in the south and the Inner Court as living quarters in the north. It is not only an immense architectural masterpiece, but also a treasury housing a unique collection of 1.8 million pieces of art, including ancient calligraphy and painting, imperial artifacts, ancient books and archives. A must-see in Beijing and the world’s most visited museum, it is worth spending half to one day to visit the Forbidden City and appreciate the precious cultural heritage of China.

How to Tour the Forbidden City

Recommended guided tours, layout and major palaces.

• Length (north-south): 961 meters (1,051 yards) • Width (west-east): 753 meters (823 yards) • Total Area: 72 hectares (178 acres) • Building Area: 15 hectares (37 acres) Located to the north of the Tiananmen Square , the rectangular Forbidden City is enclosed by a 10 meters (33 feet) high outer wall and surrounded by a 52 meters (57 yards) wide moat . It has four gates: the Meridian Gate (Wumen) in the south, the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwumen) in the north, the West Prosperity Gate (Xihuamen) and the East Prosperity Gate (Donghuamen). On each of the four corners of the outer wall, there is a delicately structured corner tower. Standing on the wall or the towers, or seeking a higher viewpoint from the Jingshan Mountain to the north of the Forbidden City, you can get the feel of the truly massive scale of the palace complex. For comparison, the Forbidden City is four times the size of the Taj Mahal of India (18 hectares), which is mainly composed of gardens. Here the Forbidden City, with a multitude of palaces, has a building area even larger than that of the Palace of Versailles in France (11 hectares). The high outer walls enclose a labyrinth of more than 90 palaces and courtyards, with over 9,000 bays of rooms! The layout is in perfect symmetry, with the north-south central axis ingeniously designed for not only the forbidden palace complex, but also the whole of today’s Beijing city. The major palaces extend along the axis, while the minor halls stand on the west and east sides, all being well arranged in five north-south lines: Central Axis, West Wing, East Wing, Outer West Route, and Outer East Route. For different functions, the complex is divided into the Outer Court in the south and the Inner Court in the north. The Outer Court was used for state ceremonials, with three main halls on the central axis, namely the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian), the Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghedian), and the Hall of Preserved Harmony (Baohedian), and two wing structures – the Hall of Martial Valor (Wuyingdian) in the west, and the Hall of Literary Glory (Wenhuadian) in the east. The Inner Court was the residential area, including the three central palaces for the emperor and the empress, namely the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqinggong), the Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union (Jiaotaidian), and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunninggong), which are flanked by Six Western Palaces and Six Eastern Palaces for concubines and maids of different ranks. There is an Imperial Garden at northernmost part, affording views and entertainments.

Follow the Experts to Explore the Essence of Forbidden City

How to get to the forbidden city, how to leave the forbidden city, how to buy forbidden city tickets, opening hours, you may like.

Visiting The Forbidden City In Beijing: The Ultimate Top 11 Tips For A Smooth Trip!

By: Author Catrina

Posted on Last updated: January 12, 2024

Categories ASIA , CHINA

Visiting The Forbidden City – also known as The Palace Museum, is a must-see when in Beijing, and is often high on the list of places to see on many Asia travel bucket lists .

Located in the centre of Beijing, the impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site The Forbidden City is the world’s largest palace complex, spanning 250 acres with almost 1,000 buildings.

There are, however, some tips that will definitely make your life easier if you plan to visit – read on for the top tips for visiting The Forbidden City in Beijing!

Top 10 Tips for Exploring The Forbidden City in Beijing

1. buy tickets online or arrive early so they aren’t sold out.

The Forbidden City is an extremely popular tourist attraction not only for international tourists, but for Chinese tourists and locals as well. Yes, even if people only have a day in Beijing or a short stopover, they will make it a priority to visit The Forbidden City.

A maximum of 80,000 visitors can enter The Forbidden City daily, and while that sounds like a huge number, tickets get sold out on most days – particularly weekends and Chinese public holidays!

For this reason it is strongly recommended to buy tickets online beforehand. Note that you can only book tickets online 7 days in advance (they go on sale at 8pm each evening) so set a reminder to book your tickets!

If you haven’t managed to book a ticket online, you can sometimes buy tickets when you get there, if you arrive first thing in the morning before the opening time! Tickets cost 60 RMB (40 RMB in winter).

You will need to purchase tickets at the Southern gate’s ‘Passport Window.’ The Southern Gate is the only entrance to The Forbidden City!

You can book your ticket for later that day, say for example if you want to visit at the end of the day. You just need to make sure you physically go and buy your ticket in the morning as you don’t want to risk turning up and not being able to purchase a ticket!

To make things easier though, just buy your ticket online so you aren’t wasting time!

2. You Must Bring Your Passport!

You absolutely need your passport to enter The Forbidden City, whether you’ve purchased tickets online or at the Southern entrance. Do not forget it as you won’t be allowed inside The Forbidden City without it!

3. The Forbidden City Is Closed On Mondays!

The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays so make sure you plan it for another day!

4. Avoid Weekends & Arrive First Thing In The Morning Or At The End Of The Day

To avoid crowds, plan your visit during weekdays and steer clear of Chinese public holidays as The Forbidden City gets so busy during these times!

Aim to visit first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon, staying until closing time.

Whilst The Forbidden City gets extremely busy during the day, if you are there at the end of the day near closing time it becomes a lot emptier and there are less people around so it is possible to get pictures without people in!

This is definitely advisable if you plan to visit other busy places first thing in the morning, such as The Great Wall or The Temple Of Heaven.

Opening times for The Forbidden City:

8.30am – 5pm (April until October) 60RMB ticket price.

8.30am – 4.30pm (November until March) 40 RMB ticket price.

Last entry is 50 minutes before closure but I would allow 2-3 hours here as there is so much to see here and you don’t want to rush.

5. Entrance: Southern Gate, Exit: Northern Gate!

The Southern gate, also known as the Meridian Gate, is the only entrance to The Forbidden City.

The Northern gate, or Gate of Divine, is the only exit!

How to reach the Southern Gate: – From the south – via Tiananmen Square (under the famous portrait of Mao) – From the east – via Donghuamen and the moat – From the west – via Zhongshan Park.

6. Do Not Buy Entrance Tickets From Street Vendors

Beware of street vendors and people attempting to sell tickets – they are often fake! Either buy your tickets online or at The ticket office at The Forbidden City.

7. Getting to the Forbidden City

Public transport, in particular the subway, is the easiest, cheapest and most convenient way to reach the Forbidden City (yes it is often much quicker than taking a taxi as the traffic in Beijing is horrendous!).

Line 1 (Tiananmen West or Tiananmen East Station) and Line 2 (Qianmen Station) are the nearest metro stops to The Forbidden City.

When you get off at the metro, walk north through the Tiananmen Tower and you’ll see the Southern Gate entrance.

Signs are in English so it is easy to understand where you are going!

8. Bring Sun Cream & Water!

If you’re visiting during the summer do not forget to bring suncream, sunglasses and a hat with you. There is minimal shade here and it’s a big place so you’ll want to stay cool and hydrated as much as possible!

9. Wear Comfy Shoes – There’s A Lot Of Walking!

The Forbidden City is huge, and you’ll easily spend 2 or 3 hours walking around. For this reason, you’ll definitely want to wear comfortable shoes.

10. Best Photo Spots:

If, like me, you love taking photographs, some great photo locations inside The Forbidden City are:

Some popular places for taking photographs inside The Forbidden City include Yuqinggong, the Historic Palace and the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Hall of Supreme Harmony: You can find some cute spots on the side of the hall where you can get unique photos without other people in.
Historic Palace: Despite being busy, this is a must-visit location! It’s usually much much quieter at the end of the day!
Yuqinggong: The view through the gates is stunning and offers a distinctive perspective of the Forbidden City.

You can also get some nice photos as you exit The Forbidden City, such as of the moat surrounding the complex.

11. Head To Nearby Jingshan Park Afterwards For Great Views Of The Forbidden City

Jingshan Park is located right next to the exit of The Forbidden City.

It is a lovely peaceful park and if you climb up the stairs to the tower at the top you’ll be rewarded with incredible views looking out over The Forbidden City! Entrance is 2 RMB.

From Jingshan Park you can walk to the nearby Beijing hutongs to really explore the local culture!

Hopefully these tips will help you enjoy this stunning location to the max!

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Catrina is a Travel Writer and ex-Flight Attendant based in Sydney, Australia. She has visited 85 countries and lived in several – including Italy, Australia, United Arab Emirates and England. Her work has been featured in a variety of popular travel publications including Fodors, Escape, Australian Traveller and Bear Grylls, as well as several international aviation and travel companies. She only writes about places she has personally visited, and aims to give real, honest advice to help her readers.

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Jun 15, 2023

Your Ultimate Guide To The Forbidden City: Everything You Need To Know

Updated: Oct 7, 2023

Photography of the Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City, nestled in the heart of Beijing, holds a distinguished place as a UNESCO World Heritage site and stands as an enduring symbol of China's rich cultural heritage. For more than 500 years, it served as the regal abode for Chinese emperors and their households during the illustrious reigns of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Occupying a sprawling complex that spans an impressive 180 acres, this architectural marvel encompasses a staggering 9,999 rooms. The Forbidden City astounds visitors with its resplendent traditional Chinese architecture, enchanting courtyards, and an unparalleled collection of priceless artifacts.

Reading “Your Ultimate Guide to the Forbidden City: Unlocking the Secrets of China's Imperial Wonder” is really important if you’re planning to visit this incredible historical site. It's packed with insider tips, practical information, hidden gems, cultural insights, and extra recommendations to make your experience truly memorable and special. Trust me, you will get everything you need to know about The Forbidden City!

Here are two ways to book The Forbidden City tickets

Tips For Visiting The Forbidden City

Tips For The Security Check At The Forbidden City

What Can You Do After Visiting The Forbidden City

Here are two ways to book The Forbidden City tickets:

1. Wechat Mini Program: Search for the Wechat mini program called "故宫博物院" (Palace Museum). Through this platform, you can book your tickets up to 7 days in advance.

2. Official Website: Visit the official website at https://en.dpm.org.cn/visit/tickets/ for all the necessary booking information. You can book tickets via email, and the museum usually responds within 2 days.

Important information:

Due to the high demand for tickets to the Forbidden City, there is no guarantee that you will be able to purchase them.

The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays.

Things You Need To Know About Visiting The Forbidden City:

To make the most of your visit and ensure a memorable experience, we have gathered some insider tips to guide you through the wonders of the Forbidden City.

1. Plan Your Visit in Advance:

The Forbidden City is a vast complex with numerous halls, palaces, and gardens. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, it's essential to plan your visit in advance. Start by checking the opening hours and plan to arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds. Allocate sufficient time to explore the main highlights, such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Palace of Heavenly Purity, and the Imperial Garden.

2. Wear Comfortable Shoes and Dress Appropriately:

The Forbidden City is vast, covering an area of 180 acres, so be prepared for a lot of walking. Wear comfortable shoes to ensure a pleasant exploration of the complex. Additionally, dress appropriately for the weather and respect the conservative culture by avoiding revealing clothing. Remember to bring a hat, sunscreen, and stay hydrated, especially during the hot summer months.

3. Follow the Recommended Route:

To make the most efficient use of your time, follow the recommended route provided by the Forbidden City. This route ensures that you don't miss any of the must-see attractions and helps you navigate through the complex seamlessly. Be sure to pick up a map at the entrance and familiarize yourself with the main landmarks along the way.

To ensure a smooth, enjoyable and flexible self-guide visit to The Forbidden City, consider to rent Audio guides (Audio guides are available in multiple languages). "This Automatic Guided Map is like a tour guide and will explain the history as you walk to each part of The Palace Museum." (Comment from Reddit user kuanyuchen99 ).

(Photo from Reddit user kuanyuchen99 ).

4. Take Breaks at the Scenic Spots:

Throughout the Forbidden City, you'll find picturesque courtyards, gardens, and pavilions. Take advantage of these scenic spots to rest, soak in the ambiance, and capture stunning photos. Don't rush through the visit; allow yourself moments of tranquility to appreciate the beauty and serenity of the surroundings.

5. Explore the Two Extra Galleries:

While most of the attractions within the Forbidden City are included in the general admission ticket, there are two additional paid museums that you can visit:

Palace Museum Treasure Gallery: Located in the northeastern section of the Forbidden City, the Palace Museum Treasure Gallery showcases a stunning collection of imperial treasures, including gold, silver, jade, and precious gems. Admission to this gallery requires an additional fee.

Clock and Watch Gallery: Situated in the Hall of Ancestry (Fengxian Dian), the Clock and Watch Gallery exhibits a remarkable collection of ancient timepieces, ranging from mechanical clocks to intricate Chinese water clocks. Access to this gallery also requires a separate ticket.

Tips For The Security Check At The Forbidden City:

The security check at the Forbidden City is very strict.

1. Please carry a valid identification document , such as a passport or ID card.

2. Follow the instructions of the security personnel and queue up for the security check.

3. Prohibited items include flammable, explosive, toxic, or other dangerous substances. For example, sunscreen sprays are also not allowed, so please do not carry them.

4. Place personal belongings, such as packages and handbags, in the security screening equipment for inspection.

5. Cooperate with security personnel for the inspection of handheld items, such as mobile phones and cameras.

6. Adhere to the rules and designated no-photography areas within the Forbidden City.

7. Large luggage or excessively heavy items are not allowed inside the Forbidden City.

8. Maintain silence and respect other visitors and the preservation of cultural relics.

What Can You Do After Visiting The Forbidden City:

After exploring the grandeur of the Forbidden City, there are plenty of other attractions and activities to enjoy in Beijing. Here are some recommendations for what you can do next at the same day:

1. Visit Tiananmen Square: Located just outside the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square is one of the world's largest public squares and an important historical site. Take a stroll, admire the iconic Tiananmen Gate, and learn about China's rich history.

2. Explore Jingshan Park: Located north of the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park offers breathtaking panoramic views of Beijing's cityscape. Climb to the top of the park's artificial hill and take in the stunning scenery while enjoying a peaceful atmosphere.

3. Discover the Hutongs: Take a rickshaw ride or a leisurely walk through Beijing's traditional hutong neighborhoods. These narrow alleyways lined with courtyard homes provide a glimpse into the city's old-world charm and local culture.

4. Visit the Temple of Heaven: Head to the Temple of Heaven, a magnificent imperial complex where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would offer prayers for good harvests. Explore its stunning architecture and tranquil gardens.

5. Explore Beihai Park: Visit Beihai Park, a picturesque imperial garden located in the heart of Beijing. Enjoy serene lakes, beautiful pagodas, and historic temples while strolling through its well-manicured gardens.

6. Indulge in Beijing's Cuisine: After a day of sightseeing, treat yourself to Beijing's famous culinary delights. Sample Peking duck, dumplings, and other local specialties at one of the city's many renowned restaurants.

7. Shop at Wangfujing Street: Experience Beijing's bustling shopping scene at Wangfujing Street, a famous pedestrian street known for its luxury shopping malls, traditional shops, and delicious street food.

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The Ultimate Guide to Spending One Day in Beijing's Forbidden City

W alking north across infamous Tiananmen Square under the constant watch of security cameras, you’ll soon find yourself staring right into the eyes of Mao Zedong. The framed picture of the leader of the Communist revolution hangs high on Tiananmen Tower, through which you’ll access the Meridian Gate leading to the Forbidden City, welcoming tens of thousands of daily visitors who want to get a glimpse of China’s long-gone imperial past.

Within its six centuries of history, Beijing’s Forbidden City has turned from being the residence of Ming and Qing emperors to being one of the most visited open-air museums in the world. One of China’s top attractions together with the Great Wall, the Forbidden City is a complex consisting of 980 buildings that were once inaccessible to commoners.

Known today as the Palace Museum, the impressive size of this red and yellow fortress is intimidating. This condensed guide is meant to help you make the most out of your day in the Forbidden City, giving you ideas on how to plan your visit and navigate this huge palace complex.

What is the Forbidden City?

The best time to visit the forbidden city, how to get to the forbidden city, price, and hours of operation.

How to organize your visit and the best things to see

If you have more time

Beijing, China city skyline at the Forbidden City

Photo: ESB Professional /Shutterstock

Located in the very center of the Chinese capital city, Beijing’s Forbidden City is a treasured remnant of China’s imperial past. Today, the fortified citadel that for centuries housed the emperors, their families, and their servants has become a UNESCO-protected historical site known as the Palace Museum.

With nearly 15 million visitors every year, the complex is far from “forbidden” these days. Its name, however, reminds us of an era during which a ticket was not enough for entering the 26-foot thick walls of the fortress. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, only the relatives of the emperor and government officials were allowed in, while commoners would be punished with death for trespassing.

Completed in 1420 under the orders of the Ming dynasty’s Yongle emperor, the Forbidden City has been the center of Chinese political power for almost 500 consecutive years. Millions of workers were employed in the construction of the palaces under the supervision of architect Kuai Xiang, although most of the architectural elements visible today have been damaged and restored over time.

The Forbidden City hosted 24 different emperors until 1911, when Puyi, the last emperor, was ordained to abdicate by the revolutionary forces. Luckily for us, the opposers of imperial power that governed China in the following decades recognized the cultural importance of this architectural wonder, preserving it for the world to see and appreciate. It was declared a key historical relic by the Chinese government in 1961 and a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987.

Beijing’s Forbidden City sees millions of tourists coming from all over China and abroad every year. Avoiding crowds is no easy task, but because the complex covers 178 acres of ground, you will definitely be able to find a quiet spot.

The high season is from the beginning of April to the end of September. For the best weather, plan your visit between March and June or between September and October. The middle of summer can be very hot, white you are likely to find fog during cold winter days.

Avoid the days around Chinese holidays such as the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year (date varies from mid-January to early February), National Day (October 1), and the Mid-Autumn Festival (date varies from mid-September to early October) at all costs. During these festivities, the amount of visitors increases dramatically and navigating through massive crowds can be a gong show.

Photo: Angelo Zinna

The Forbidden City is impossible to miss. It is located right in the heart of Beijing, at the northern edge of Tiananmen Square. Tiananmen Square East is the closest subway station, steps away from the entrance. If you can’t spot Mao’s face from a distance, you will find English language signs guiding you as soon as you emerge from the station.

When visiting the Palace Museum, make sure you bring your passport along. You will have to show it both at the security checks when you enter Tiananmen Square and when purchasing your entrance ticket. The cost of visiting differs depending on when you go. In the high season (April 1 to October 1) tickets cost 60 Chinese yuan (about 8.50 USD), while in the low season the price goes down to 40 yuan (5.70 USD).

Since 2015, the Chinese government has set the limit of daily visitors to 80,000. If you can, buy tickets in advance through the official website , however, patience is key unless you can read Chinese. Keep in mind that booths at the Meridian Gate only sell same-day tickets.

Children enter for free and visitors over 60 receive a 50 percent discount. Audio guides are available for an additional 40 yuan (5.70 USD) and there are luggage storage facilities. The Forbidden City opens at 8:30 AM and closes at 5:00 PM in the high season and 4:30 PM in the low season. It is closed on Mondays.

How to organize your visit

The Nine Dragon Wall is by the Palace of Tranquil Longevity in the Inner Court

Hidden behind the thick saffron-colored walls that form the fortress stand 980 buildings that contain nearly 9,000 rooms. While most of the interior spaces are not accessible to the general public, such numbers give you an idea of the sheer size of the Palace Museum. One can easily spend a full day exploring this ancient citadel, but if that seems too much, allow yourself a bare minimum of four hours to visit.

Once you cross the main gate you can roam freely through the courtyards, however, you’ll notice immediately that the vast majority of visitors tend to follow a similar path along the central alley. The main artery of the Forbidden City travels south to north from the ticketing booths at the Meridian Gate (Wumen) toward the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwumen). While crowds are hard to avoid, if you don’t enjoy being part of a massive stream of people, you can choose to deviate toward either side.

The city is split between two main parts. There is the wide outer court, also known as the southern section, where official ceremonies, weddings, and military parades used to be conducted, and an inner court, or northern section, that forms the residential area where the emperors and their wives used to live. The classic route for visitors covers these two sections and can be done in about three hours.

The outer court

When entering from the Meridian Gate, you’ll find yourself in front of the Golden Water River. By crossing it on one of the five available bridges, you’ll reach the Gate of Supreme Harmony, where three palaces adorned with white-marble terraces and tiled roofs will appear in all of their majesty. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the most impressive of the three outer court structures because of its dimensions and intricate woodwork. The Hall of Central Harmony and the Hall of Preserving Harmony are smaller, but nevertheless awe-inspiring.

The inner court

Once you enter the inner court through the Gate of Heavenly Purity, you’ll discover the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, and the Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union. These three structures have changed their function over the course of the centuries. The emperors of the Qing dynasty would use the Palace of Heavenly Purity as an audience hall, while during the Ming era it became the emperor’s official residence. Similarly, the Palace of Earthly Tranquility switched from being the residence of the empress to a space dedicated to spiritual practice. The Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union used to host the celebrations for the empress’ birthday. Among the most intriguing attractions of this last building is the wooden chime clock made in 1798, which has been continuously running for over two centuries.

The Treasure Gallery

Whatever you do, don’t skip the Treasure Gallery, a museum inside the Forbidden City. Located near the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, this gallery hosts a large collection of everyday objects used by the imperial families of the Qing dynasty. From clothes to jewels to daily utensils, the Treasure Gallery provides insight into what life used to be like in the Forbidden City.

The eastern and western wings

A gilded lion in front of the Hall of Mental Cultivation in forbidden city

Photo: Vincent JIANG /Shutterstock

Once you’ve crossed the city through outer and inner courts, if time is on your side, extend your visit to the eastern wing, western wing, or both. The main attraction on the eastern side of the fortress are the six eastern palaces, easily reachable from the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. The Palace of Great Benevolence, the Palace of Celestial Favour, the Palace of Eternal Harmony, the Palace of Great Brilliance, the Palace of Purity, and the Palace of Lasting Happiness were completed in 1420 to house the imperial concubines. Not far from the six eastern palaces is the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, erected in 1772 by Emperor Qianlong as a place to retire after his resignation.

Mirroring the eastern wing is the western section of the Forbidden City with its own six palaces. Here you will find another residential complex meant to house the emperor’s wives and concubines, and just steps away is the Hall of Mental Cultivation built by Emperor Jiajing in the 16th century. Originally constructed as a space for the emperor to rest, the Hall of Mental Cultivation became a full-time residency of the rulers in the 18th century. Here you’ll be able to view what is considered the emperor’s “office” — a room with a throne placed behind a desk.

Photo: V_E /Shutterstock

If you have time at your disposal, check out Jingshan Park for incredible views over the Forbidden City. This patch of green is located on the artificial Jingshan Hill behind the palatial complex, opposite the northern gate where you exit the walls.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, this 57-acre area used to be an imperial garden filled with fruit trees and pavilions. Jingshan Park was opened to the public in 1928, and was renovated with paved walking paths two decades later.

On top of offering stunning views of the city, the park is an ideal opportunity for a break from Beijing’s traffic.

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How to Visit the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, the world’s largest royal palace complex, is a truly unique and special place. No longer is entry punished by the pain of death, so anyone with a ticket- can come to see it now. Visiting it can be intimidating though, for a variety of reasons; it sees thousands of tourists every day, Beijing’s weather and smog are notorious, and the language barrier inherent in visiting China is difficult to overcome. Fortunately, we have a guide that can help you make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity a reality.

The Best Time to Visit

Visit the Forbidden City

According to the annual tourist flow map, the week before September 1st (when the school term begins), i.e. the last week of August , is the period when the Forbidden City has the least tourists each year.

Winter and summer vacations, Labor Day (May 1st to 3rd) and National Day (October 1st to 7th) are peak periods , but the flow of daily visitors in the last week of the summer vacation is sharply reduced to about 1/5 of the average, which is the main trough in the year.

Try not to visit the Forbidden City during the major Chinese public holidays mentioned above, unless you want to join in some celebrations.

The Forbidden City is visited by 14,000,000 tourists annually. That’s an average of over 38,000 tourists a day, the following guidelines will help you avoid getting lost in the massive crowds.

Top Highlights to See

1. classical chinese architecture.

Located at the center of Beijing’s central axis, the Forbidden City is a museum featuring palace culture, art, architecture, and history.

It is the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world, consisting of two parts, showcasing the supremacy of imperial power in ancient China: the magnificent Outer Court (the southern section) and the strictly symmetrical Inner Palace (the northern section).

From the overall symmetrical layout to the smallest detail, the complex was meticulously planned to reflect the philosophical and religious principles of ancient Chinese palace architecture.

When touring the city, don’t miss the three most essential halls (the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Middle Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony) on the central axis.

2. Exhibitions

In addition to the palace buildings, there are more than 1.8 million cultural relics in the Palace Museum at present, including all kinds of treasures and articles, used or collected by the emperors.

It’s a good idea to skip the central axis and take a different route to visit the glorious exhibitions in the palace, for a deeper understanding of imperial history and hitherto secret gossip about the emperors and their concubines.

The main permanent exhibitions are:

The Hall of Clocks in the Hall for Ancestral Worship ( Fengxian Dian ) – Clocks and timepieces from the permanent collections are routinely exhibited here.
The Treasure Gallery in the Palace of Tranquil Longevity Sector ( Ningshou Gong Qu ) – This consists of six rooms displaying items from the imperial collection and extant accouterments for palace life, including jade, jadeite, gold, silver, pearls, and other precious and semi-precious stones.
The Ceramics Gallery in the Hall of Martial Valor ( Wuying Dian ) – Hundreds of porcelain and ceramic items showing the evolution of ceramics from the Neolithic Age to the late Qing dynasty.

The museum also houses some other high-quality themed exhibitions, constantly changing, for example:

The “Four Wangs’ Paintings of the Early Qing Period, Collected by the Palace Museum” from 2018-09-12 to 2018-10-30;
The “Color of History – Exhibition of Archeological Cultural Relics, Decorative and Applied Art of Ukraine” from 2018-09-26 to 2018-11-19; and
The “Antikythera Shipwreck” from 2018-9-14 to 2018-12-16.

3. A Panoramic View from the Hilltop

Jingshan is the man-made hill opposite the northern gate of the Forbidden City. Walking up to Jingshan Park after touring the palace, a panoramic view from the highest point of Jingshan is even more eye-catching than the views from inside.

Most photographic overviews of the Forbidden City on social media that attracted your attention were taken from the top of Jingshan.

How to Buy Tickets?

1. The Palace Museum has been implementing an online ticketing policy since October 10th, 2017.

2. The Museum has been closed on Mondays since June 2018 (excluding national holidays) to improve the protection of the cultural heritage and to create more time for renovations of the ancient buildings.

3. Due to the daily limit of 80,000 visitors , tourists are recommended to buy tickets online (the official website available in English: The Palace Museum) with appropriate IDs well in advance. Those without any credentials cannot gain access to the museum.

4. There are windows to provide a ticketing service to foreigners who can’t buy tickets online.

How to Avoid the Crowds

The Forbidden City isn’t so forbidden anymore. Seeing close to 40,000 people on average per diem, it’s easy to get lost in the multitudes. However, a crafty visitor can see the city without getting pushed around by noisy, inconsiderate tourists by following a few guidelines.

Show Up Early

Arrive before the complex opens and queue in the front. When the gates open, you will be the first inside.

Come During the Off-Season

Avoid Chinese holidays- particularly National Day, from the 1st to the 7th of October. Avoid weekends.

The last week of July is the low season for the Forbidden City. If you happen to be in Beijing then, that would be a great time to visit.

Facilities in the Palace

1. The museum provides a free luggage check-in service : you can check in your luggage at the entrance (the Meridian Gate) and collect it again at the exit, the Spiritual Valor Gate (Shen Wu Men).

2. It would be a good idea to rent an audio guide device from the Meridian Gate or the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shen Wu Men) at a cost of CNY 20 for Chinese and Cantonese versions, or CNY 40 for other languages.

3. Barrier-free access is available in the Forbidden City.

4. Wheelchairs and strollers are provided at the Meridian Gate and the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shen Wu Men), on payment of a deposit of CNY 300.

5. There are restaurants and tourist shops in the area.

Recommended Tour Routes

Depending on your physical condition and interests, we have three recommended palace tour routes for your reference.

In-depth Forbidden City Tour with China Travel

Take your time to enjoy the 4-Day Beijing Essence and In-depth Forbidden City Tour with China Travel : You will see all highlights and discover the hidden history of Chinese imperial life.

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The Forbidden City, Beijing: The Complete 2023 Guide

The Forbidden City in Beijing, China is a magnificent sight to behold, and a place that has captivated travelers for centuries. For over 500 years, this sprawling imperial palace served as the seat of power for China’s emperors, and today, it remains one of the most impressive and culturally significant landmarks in the world.

Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply looking to experience the magic of one of the world’s greatest cultural treasures, the Forbidden City is a destination that should not be missed. In this travel guide, we’ll take you on a journey through the Forbidden City, sharing tips and insights to help you make the most of your visit to this incredible place.

🚗How to Get to the Forbidden City

☀️Best Time to Visit the Forbidden City

🗺️the routing map of the forbidden city.

🌟Recommended Palaces to Explore within the Forbidden City
🚶🏻‍♂️Recommended Tour Routes to Visit the Forbidden City
🌟Tips to Avoid Crowds While Visiting the Forbidden City

💂🏻‍♂️A Guide is Essential for Visiting the Forbidden City

🥘recommended restaurants near the forbidden city, 🏡recommended hotels near the forbidden city, 💛12 hidden attractions around the forbidden city, 🌿facts about the forbidden city, china travel planning guide&faq, 🌟forbidden city–general introduction&layout.

Forbidden City - Gate of Supreme Harmony

The Forbidden City, alternatively known as “紫禁城( ping yin: Zijincheng)” in Chinese, is a massive complex located at the center of the city of Beijing in China. Its construction was initiated by the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty in the year 1406 and it was officially inaugurated in 1420. Over the centuries, it served as the primary palace for 24 emperors of both the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Forbidden City is vast, covering 720,000 square meters, measuring 960 meters in length and 750 meters in width, and containing over 70 palaces with a staggering 9,000 rooms. As the home to the Palace Museum, it houses an impressive collection of over 1 million precious cultural artifacts, making it one of the largest and most intricate palace complexes in the world.

Layout of the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City complex comprises multiple buildings divided into two main sections: the Outer Court and the Inner Court . Known as “外朝” in Chinese, the Outer Court houses the Three Great Halls, namely the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony. These halls hold immense significance as they serve as prominent venues for state ceremonies. Additionally, the Hall of Martial Valor and the Hall of Literary Glory are located in the southwest and southeast corners of the Outer Court, respectively.

The Inner Court(Chinese: 内朝）, where the Emperor and his family resided, is characterized by the Three Great Halls of the Inner Court: the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Hall of Union, and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. These halls served as private quarters for the Emperor and played a crucial role within the Forbidden City. Surrounding the central part of the Inner Court are the Six Western and Six Eastern Palaces, specifically designated for imperial concubines. Notably, the east side of the Six Eastern Palaces and the west side of the Six Western Palaces feature various temples and shrines, including a Tibetan Buddhist temple.

Surrounded by green spaces on three sides, the Forbidden City enjoys a picturesque setting. Jingshan Park lies to the north, while Zhongnanhai stretches to the west. Furthermore, Beihai Park can be found northwest of the Forbidden City.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can learn more about this in my disclosure policy.

🚗 How to Get to the Forbidden City

By subway: Take Subway Line 1 and get off at Tiananmen West (Exit B) or Tiananmen East Station (Exit B).
By bus: Take bus line 1, 2, 52, 59, 82, 120, Sightseeing Bus Line 1 or 2, and get off at Tiananmen East Station
By taxi: Show ‘请带我去故宫’ (Please take me to the Forbidden City)

🎫Admission ticket: Apr to Oct: CNY 60 | Nov to Mar: CNY 40 🎫Treasure Gallery & Clocks and Watches Gallery ticket: each CNY 10 ⏰Opening hours: Apr to Oct: 8:30-17:00 | Nov to Mar: 8:30-16:30; it is closed on Mondays, except the Chinese statutory holidays.

The optimal time to fully appreciate the beauty and comfort of the Forbidden City in Beijing is during the period of April to October . Among these months, the most pleasant seasons are April and October. During this time, the peak tourist season has subsided, resulting in fewer visitors and milder temperatures, which makes for an ideal opportunity to explore the Forbidden City without any crowds. Furthermore, the October autumn season paints the Forbidden City in a picturesque light, making it the most stunning time of year to visit. In contrast, April heralds the arrival of spring and the appropriate temperatures that facilitate a relaxed stroll through the gentle greenery of the Forbidden City.

However, it is important to note that traveling during China’s Labor Day (May 1-5) and National Day (October 1-7) should be avoided.

A routing map of the Forbidden City is essential for visitors because the palace complex is massive, covering over 180 acres with more than 9000 rooms and courtyards. To avoid getting lost or overlooking significant areas within the vast Forbidden City complex, check out a detailed map of the Forbidden City from Travel China Guide .

🌟 Recommended Palaces to Explore within the Forbidden City

Meridian gate (chinese name:午门).

The Meridian Gate stands as the largest and southernmost imperial gate, featuring a center passage reserved solely for the emperor’s use. The officials entered and exited through the left gate, while the right gate was reserved for the members of the imperial family. The Forbidden City Meridian Gate was previously used to imprison war prisoners, punish officials, and issue almanacs. The view from the center of the gate is simply breathtaking and majestic, leaving an indescribable sense of mystery in the beholder’s mind.

Hall of Martial Valor (Chinese name:武英殿)

Originally built as the Imperial House for military use during the Ming Dynasty. Today, the Hall of Martial Valor is home to the Forbidden City’s Pottery Gallery , a magnificent exhibition space that showcases more than 1000 pieces of pottery treasures, showcasing all the important pottery varieties in the historical development of ancient China.

Hall of Literary Glory (Chinese name:文华殿)

The Hall of Literary Glory is located adjacent to the Hall of Martial Valor and features a symmetrical design. In the Ming Dynasty, it served as the official residence of the heir apparent and was later used as the venue for imperial lectures during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, the hall has been transformed into a Painting and Calligraphy Gallery that boasts a vast collection of ancient Chinese paintings of exceptional value. Visitors should note that taking pictures is strictly prohibited within the gallery.

Gate of Supreme Harmony(Chinese name:太和门)

The square situated at the rear of the Gate of Supreme Harmony boasts a significant expanse. Standing tall at the Gate of Supreme Harmony, one can spot an impressive pair of bronze lions, which happens to be the largest pair in the entire palace. These lions hold a special significance, as they symbolize the emperor’s imperial power that spread far and wide and the prosperity of his descendants. This gate was used as the morning court of the Ming Emperor, where he conducted discussions on state affairs with his ministers. During the Qing dynasty, the Gate of Supreme Harmony was utilized as a venue for hosting banquets and ceremonies.

Three Great Halls of the Outer Court

Hall of supreme harmony(chinese name:太和殿).

Forbidden City - Hall of Supreme Harmony

The Hall of Supreme Harmony is located at the heart of the Forbidden City. It is the largest hall within the Forbidden City and the grandest wooden structure in China. The traditional architecture of the hall exudes a remarkable sense of dignity and grandeur. The hall sits on a white marble terrace that stands three levels high. Moving inside, one can observe six thick gold-lacquered pillars located within the interior, as well as a central gold throne and gold bricks covering the floor. This stunning palace is also referred to as the Golden Carriage Palace (Jinluan Dian) due to its extravagant golden decor. It features detailed dragon carvings both inside and out. In the past, the Hall of Supreme Harmony was used for a variety of royal functions, including coronations, birthday celebrations, weddings, and other significant occasions.

Hall of Central Harmony(Chinese name:中和殿)

Forbidden City - Hall of Central Harmony

The Hall of Central Harmony is situated between the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Hall of Preserving Harmony. During the Qing Dynasty, the emperor used this hall as a resting place before conducting official ceremonies . Unlike the other two halls, the Hall of Central Harmony is a square structure and stands out due to its gilded treasure top , showcasing the intricate details of ancient Chinese architecture.

Hall of Preserved Harmony (Chinese name:保和殿)

Forbidden City - Hall of Preserved Harmony

The Hall of Preserved Harmony, though smaller in size than the Hall of Supreme Harmony, boasts a similar architectural style. During the Ming Dynasty, the emperor would change his attire and rest in this hall before participating in the grand ceremony. In the Qing Dynasty, it was commonly used as a location for imperial banquets and imperial examinations . It’s worth noting that the three main halls within the palace have been destroyed by fire multiple times, and over the past hundred years, this particular hall has undergone five name changes.

Three Great Halls of the Inner Court

Palace of heavenly purity(chinese name:乾清宫).

Forbidden City - Palace of Heavenly Purity

The Palace of Heavenly Purity is considered the largest and most superior palace located in the Inner Court of the Forbidden City. Upon entering the door and casting a glance upwards, you will lay your eyes on a plaque adorned with four significant Chinese characters that spell out “正大光明”, which translates to “Justice and Brightness”. This plaque holds significant historical importance and has a compelling story attached to it. The story dates back to the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor, who used it to conceal the name of his chosen heir. In the earlier Ming dynasty, the palace served as the sleeping and working quarters of the emperors, while in the Qing dynasty, it served as the Emperor’s audience hall.

Hall of Union(Chinese name:交泰殿)

The Hall of Union was constructed with a similar architectural style to the Hall of Central Harmony. This imperial hall was once used to store the 25 imperial seals of the emperor . The interior of the hall features two remarkable legacies of ancient times: a bronze clepsydra and a big chime clock , both of which have been preserved in excellent condition and still function accurately. The palace was once the residence of the empress in the Ming Dynasty, and in the Qing Dynasty, it became the location for various celebrations, including the birthday of the empress.

Palace of Earthly Tranquility(Chinese name:坤宁宫)

Forbidden City - Palace of Earthly Tranquility

The Palace of Earthly Tranquility, located behind the Hall of Union, served as the living quarters for the Ming Dynasty empresses and was later used as the imperial bridal chamber during the Qing Dynasty. To this day, the palace still showcases the original red décor from past weddings held in the chamber .

Grand Council(Chinese name:军机处)

Located west of the Gate of Heavenly Purity, you will find a series of low and small houses called Grand Council along the high wall. These humble abodes may pale in comparison to the grandeur of the palaces situated in the Forbidden City, yet they hold significant importance. The small rooms served as a secretive location where the emperors of the Qing Dynasty would convene with their ministers to discuss military and political affairs at any given time. In essence, it served as an official state organ during that era.

Palace of Compassion and Tranquility(Chinese name:慈宁宫)

The Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, formerly the residence of the imperial concubines and a venue for empress dowagers to hold significant ceremonies, has now been converted into a sculpture hall. Over 400 rare cultural relics are showcased within the hall, providing visitors with a unique and remarkable experience.

Palace of Longevity and Good Health (Chinese name:寿康宫)

Forbidden City - Palace of Longevity and Good Health

The construction of this palace was commissioned by the Qianlong Emperor for his mother, Empress Dowager Chongqing. After its completion, the palace was reserved solely for the empress’s dowagers. At present, the palace still preserves the original layout where the Empress Dowager used to reside, making it a significant historical site worth visiting.

Hall of Mental Cultivation(Chinese name:养心殿)

The Hall of Mental Cultivation is situated on the east side of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, but unfortunately, I had not visited it yet. This palace was the imperial residence and workplace for the emperors and also the most crucial office within the Forbidden City.

Six Western and Six Eastern Palaces(Chinese name:西六宫)

The Six Western Palaces can be found to the west of the Three Great Halls of the Inner Court. They are named as Palace of Eternal Longevity (永寿宫), Palace of Earthly Honor (翊坤宫), Palace for Gathered Elegance (储秀宫), Hall of the Supreme Principle (太极殿), Palace of Eternal Spring (长春宫), and Palace of Universal Happiness (咸福宫). Each of these palaces features a courtyard, a front hall, a rear hall, and annexes.

These palaces were built as dwelling places for imperial consorts during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Palace for Gathered Elegance, which I had the opportunity to visit, stands out among the other palaces for its grandeur and size. Interestingly, the interior decoration for Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration is still preserved to this day. The six palaces are connected by several long and narrow passages which give insight into the life of the concubines who lived in very limited spaces.

Imperial Garden(Chinese name:御花园)

The Imperial Garden was primarily used as a location for emperors and their imperial families to relax and enjoy themselves. The garden was divided into two parts, with the east side consisting mainly of buildings intended for rest and viewing, and the west side reserved for worshiping God and Buddha . Although the garden was not as extensive or as intricately designed as one might envision, it was adorned with various trees, rockeries, flowers, and sculptural objects, which enhanced the grandeur of the Forbidden City.

Six Western and Six Eastern Palaces(Chinese name:东六宫)

The Six Eastern Palaces, namely the Palace of Great Benevolence(景仁宫), Palace of Celestial Favour(承乾宫, Palace of Eternal Harmony（雍和宫）, Palace of Great Brilliance（景阳宫）, Palace of Accumulated Purity（钟粹宫）, and Palace of Prolonging Happiness（延禧宫） are positioned to the east of the Three Great Halls of the Inner Court. Each of these palaces was dedicated to the concubines’ residences . The layout of each palace is made up of two courtyards, a front hall, and several side halls.

The living quarters of the concubines in the palace were not spacious, and even the chief concubine who resided in the main hall had to live in a cramped and small square room. The situation was even worse for lower-ranked concubines as they had to share cramped quarters located in the east and west side halls of the imperial palace. Today, these halls serve a different purpose as they have been converted into exhibition spaces where visitors can view Chinese treasures that were once collected by the imperial family.

Hall for Ancestral Worship: Clock and Watch Gallery(Chinese name:钟表馆)

Forbidden City - Hall for Ancestral Worship

During the early Ming Dynasty, the hall was established as a sacred place where the imperial family would honor their ancestors. Today, it has undergone a remarkable transformation into a Clock and Watch Gallery , housing an extensive assortment of timepieces from both domestic and international origins.

These clocks showcase various time-telling methods, including automated doors that reveal a decorative figurine to strike the hour and versions that use floral, butterfly, water, or bird motifs to indicate time. The exhibition room opens promptly at 8:30 in the morning, and a fee of CNY 10 is charged for admission.

Palace of Tranquil Longevity: Treasure Gallery(Chinese name:珍宝馆)

The Palace of Tranquil Longevity was the designated dwelling place for empress dowagers during their final years. The palace has undergone a transformation and is now home to The Treasure Gallery , an exhibit that features an array of artifacts from China’s Qing Dynasty imperial family. The collection consists of various items including valuable treasures and practical objects used in the everyday lives of the family members such as gold, silver, and jade utensils, tea services, wine pots, and cups. Additionally, the exhibit displays imperial robes, exquisite furnishings, and precious stones. The remarkable showcase at The Treasure Gallery left a lasting impression on me.

Gate of Divine Prowess(Chinese name:神武门)

The Gate of Divine Prowess, situated at the northern end of the Forbidden City, served as both the main entrance and exit point for various royal members, officials, maids, and eunuchs. The gate also housed a bell and drum system for timekeeping purposes . Exiting through this gate marked the end of a successful visit to this stunning historical landmark.

Corner Tower(Chinese name:角楼)

The Corner Towers, positioned in the four cardinal points of the Forbidden City, are well-known for their distinctive shape and exquisite design. The towers resemble four pearls set in the high walls, serving as both a decorative element and defense facilities for the Forbidden City. Visitors can enjoy picturesque views and capture memorable photographs at this spectacular location.

🚶🏻‍♂️ Recommended Tour Routes to Visit the Forbidden City

Two-hour tour.

The Meridian Gate(Wu men) – Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe dian) – Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghe dian) – Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohe dian) – Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing gong) – Hall of Union (Jiaotai dian) – Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunning gong) – Imperial Garden(Yuhuayuan) – Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwumen)

🔥Take note: Typically, when newcomers arrive at the Forbidden City, they tend to opt for the central axis pathway as it offers the simplest and most commonly used way to discover the site. Along this route lie the Three Great Halls of the Outer Court and the Inner Court, which are the most magnificent structures within the Forbidden City. Furthermore, this route is frequently favored by tour groups. Nevertheless, the popularity of this pathway leads to it being quite crowded, with approximately 80 percent of visitors selecting it as their preferred route.

Four-hour Tour

The Meridian Gate(Wu men) – Hall of Martial Valor(Wuying dian): The Ceramics Gallery – Hall of Literary Brilliance (Wenhua dian): Painting and Calligraphy Gallery – Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe dian) – Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghe dian) – Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohe dian) – Palace of Tranquil Longevity (Ningshougong): Treasure Gallery – Hall for Ancestral Worship (Fengxian dian): Clock and Watch Gallery – Palace of Compassion and Tranquility (Cininggong) – Palace of Longevity and Good Health (Shoukanggong) – Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing gong) – Hall of Union (Jiaotai dian) – Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunning gong) – Imperial Garden(Yuhuayuan) – Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwumen)

🔥Take note: If you happen to have some free time, consider exploring some of the less popular palaces and exhibitions outside of the central axis. It is recommended that you narrow down your choices to two or three favorites to visit.

One-day Tour

The Meridian Gate(Wu men) – East/West Corner Towers – Hall of Martial Valor(Wuying dian): The Ceramics Gallery – Hall of Literary Brilliance (Wenhua dian): Painting and Calligraphy Gallery – Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe dian) – Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghe dian) – Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohe dian) – Palace of Tranquil Longevity (Ningshougong): Treasure Gallery – Hall for Ancestral Worship (Fengxian dian): Clock and Watch Gallery – Hall of Mental Cultivation (Yangxin dian) – Palace of Compassion and Tranquility (Cininggong) – Palace of Longevity and Good Health (Shoukanggong) – Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing gong) – Hall of Union (Jiaotai dian) – Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunning gong) – Six Western and Six Eastern Palaces – Imperial Garden(Yuhuayuan) – Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwumen)

🔥Take note: If you plan on spending a day at the Forbidden City, you may opt to explore the entire palace by walking from the south to the north in the open area.

🔥Tips: The Forbidden City’s architectural structures are arranged on the central axis from south to north, with the Three Great Halls of the Outer Court and the Inner Court being the most significant points. They boast unparalleled scale and decoration, making them a must-see for anyone visiting the site.

🌟 Tips to Avoid Crowds While Visiting the Forbidden City

S-shaped routing.

I suggested taking a different route to avoid the crowd of tourists on the central axis of the Forbidden City. First, enter the Gate of Supreme Harmony, then walk towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony by following the left-hand path before visiting the three halls of the Outer Court consecutively. Finally, proceed along the right-hand path to visit the Treasure Gallery and the three halls of the Inner Court. This way, you can efficiently avoid the tourists and be able to visit the three halls as well as other different buildings.

Avoid the Peak Hours

Many individuals generally arrive at the palace at around 8:30 am to complete the tour by noon, but it is recommended for us to arrive past 9:00 am to avoid the large crowds present at the palace during the morning.

To obtain comprehensive knowledge of the long-standing history of the Forbidden City, a profound guide is essential, which is unquestionably worthy of the effort. Here are two feasible alternatives.

Rent an audio guide: You can rent an audio guide service at the Meridian Gate that helps in interpreting and playing the recorded version of the imperial halls in various languages such as Chinese, English, and others. It is a smart device that you can take with you during the visit. The rental fee for the device is CNY 40.
Hire a guide: This highly comprehensive and reasonably priced 4-hour walking tour of the Forbidden City stands out as the top choice. The guide provides personalized face-to-face interaction, enhancing your understanding of the presented information in a more effective and professional manner.

Corner Tower Restaurant

The Corner Tower Restaurant can be found outside the Gate of Divine Prowess in the Forbidden City. Even though the building has been converted into a restaurant, its original structure remains relatively untouched. The restaurant menu is unique and has been specially designed to resemble an imperial edict scroll. A standout dish at the restaurant is the chrysanthemum hotpot , which involves adding chrysanthemum petals to the pot of boiling broth, along with fresh chicken and fish slices. The addition of flower petals enhances the flavor of the meat while also helping to reduce the intake of fat. Your order will also come with five dipping sauces that are uniquely colorful.

📍Location: outside the Gate of Divine Prowess 💰Price: CNY 180 ⏰Open Time: 17:30 – 22:00

Corner Tower Cafe

The Corner Tower Cafe is situated outside the Gate of Divine Prowess, adjacent to the Corner Tower Restaurant, and it garnered immense popularity immediately after its opening. The simple yet ancient interior design of the cafe features Chinese-style wooden tables and chairs, which add to the overall cultural ambiance. The cafe serves two types of drinks – classic coffee , including mocha and latte, and a selection of royal drinks , such as Chocolate Latte, Hot Chocolate, and Black Tea Latte.

📍Location: outside the Gate of Divine Prowess 💰Price: CNY 54 ⏰Open Time: 08:30 – 19:00

The Bingjiao restaurant, formerly used to store ice for the imperial family in ancient times, is now a restaurant located next to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility (Cining Gong). The restaurant has a unique interior design theme centered around “ice”, with glass imitations of ice bricks present throughout the space. The menu mainly consists of fast food with a price range of CNY 46 to CNY 298, featuring a signature dish of Imperial Roast Duck set meal, but prior reservations are necessary.

📍Location: Beside the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility 💰Price: CNY 46 ⏰Open Time: 08：00-16：00

⭐ Top Pick: Siji Minfu Roast Duck

The well-known duck eatery located adjacent to the Donghua Gate of the Forbidden City offers visitors the chance to observe the entire roast duck cooking process. The duck prepared at the restaurant is not greasy and has a delicious, crispy texture. Additionally, the duck pairs perfectly with the thin pancakes. As a result, numerous tourists specifically travel to the Forbidden City for this culinary delight.

📍Location: No.11 Nanchizi Street, Dongcheng District 💰Price: CNY 150 ⏰Open Time: 10:30 – 21:30

TRB Forbidden City

This is a well-known and popular French restaurant situated outside the Forbidden City. The restaurant is elegantly decorated with Chinese elements, adding to its charm and unique character. The menu offers a wide range of mouth-watering dishes, ranging from pre-dinner bread, cold dishes, main courses, and desserts, which are exceptionally exquisite, with the Foie Gras being a must-try delicacy. Whether you prefer to sit upstairs or downstairs, there is no shortage of excellent seats available for viewing.

📍Location: No.95 Donghuamen Main Street, Dongcheng District 💰Price: CNY 480 ⏰Open Time: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM|5:30 PM – 10:00 PM

🌟MY TOP PICK🌟

Waldorf astoria beijing ( ⭐4.8).

The Waldorf Astoria Beijing is a super fancy hotel that sits right in the heart of the lively Wangfujing area in Beijing. They’ve got a whopping 170 amazing rooms, with 9 of them having really cool terraces, and another 38 super luxurious suites. This place is known for being super fancy and having awesome service that caters to your every need. Plus, they’ve got a bunch of restaurants to choose from, like a French spot, a lounge, and a Cantonese restaurant, so you can have a really great eating experience too.

🌟MID-RANGE PICK🌟

Renaissance beijing wangfujing hotel( ⭐4.7).

Renaissance Beijing Wangfujing Hotel is in the center of Beijing, and they’ve got 329 really nice guestrooms and suites that mix modern tech with warm colors. Half of the rooms even have an amazing view of the Forbidden City! They’ve got a great vibe that fits right in with the historical area, and you can try out some signature Chinese food at Wanli, or get some international grub at Food Studio. Plus, they’ve got an indoor pool, fitness center, and a chill spa.

Jingshan Garden Hotel( ⭐4.7)

The Jingshan Garden Hotel is super easy to find – just head down to Sanyanjing Hutong and you’ll see it. The entrance might be small, but it’s got this really cool rustic vibe with red and wood accents that make it stand out. They’ve got 15 rooms, and each one is decked out with really authentic-looking wooden furniture that gives off some major Chinese vibes. The rooms are pretty spacious too, with about 30 square meters of room for sleeping and hanging out. And let’s not forget about the bed – apparently, the mattress is so plush that it feels like sleeping on a fluffy cloud!

🌟SMALL-RANGE PICK🌟

Crystal orange hotel ( ⭐4.8).

Crystal Orange Hotel is a great spot for couples! It’s way more romantic and stylish than some of the other budget hotels around Beijing. The hotel is conveniently situated on Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, offering a peaceful environment and easy access to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Wangfujing commercial street. The rooms aren’t huge, but they’ve got everything you need and the staff will even help you with your bags. You can enjoy a nice breakfast with a mix of Chinese and Western dishes, with plenty of food options to choose from.

A lot of people tend to visit Beijing and prioritize popular tourist attractions such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the National Museum. However, there are numerous hidden treasure attractions located near the Forbidden City that not many people know about. In this regard, I have compiled a list of 12 places that provide a quieter, less crowded experience while allowing you to learn and absorb the rich culture and history of China.

The Imperial Archive(Chinese name:皇史宬)

Forbidden City Nearby -The Imperial Archive

The Imperial Archive was established in 1534 and served as a repository for important archiving documents during the Ming and Qing dynasties. One of the most striking features of the main building is its brick construction without any beams, columns, or wooden nails, making it an exceptional example of stonework. The nine glazed beasts on the main hall are considered to be of high architectural standard, second only to the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City. Although some of the archives from that time have been transferred to the First Historical Archives of China, the Imperial Archive still houses many treasures of the Ming and Qing Dynasties within its walls, including imperial genealogies, imperial edicts, routine memorials, and much more.

📍Location: 136 Nanchizi Avenue, Dongcheng District 🎫Ticket: Free ⏰Open Time: 9:00-16:00(Mon – Fri)

Pudu Temple — Manchu Style Palace(Chinese name:普度寺)

The Pudu Temple is one of the eight mysterious and lesser-known temples around the Forbidden City, and it has a rich history spanning more than six centuries. The temple’s architectural design showcases a pronounced Manchu style. Among the eight temples situated in the Forbidden City, Pudu Temple is the only one open to the public . The temple and surrounding area, which has a park-like atmosphere, provide a peaceful and tranquil environment where visitors can admire the antique buildings and catch a glimpse of the Corner Tower in the Forbidden City. Additionally, the main hall is accessible to the public during exhibitions.

📍Location: 35 Nanchizi Avenue, Dongcheng District 🎫Ticket: Free ⏰Open Time: 8:00-17:00

Songzhu Temple & Zhizhu Temple(Chinese name:嵩祝寺及智珠寺)

Forbidden City Nearby -Songzhu Temple Zhizhu Temple

When I initially learned about this place, I found it amusing that a Belgian(not a Chinese?) named Wenshounuo led a team in its restoration. The project took a total of five years, during which more than 80 murals were salvaged, and 70 beams were replaced in 2007. The interior of the temple is a blend of both ancient and modern aesthetics, making it a popular destination for tourists seeking the perfect photo. However, visitors should know that free commercial photography is no longer allowed. Portraits can only be taken with mobile phones, and cameras are only permitted to capture photos of the buildings. Additionally, the temple offers paid options like sunrise and sunset experiences and yoga sessions.

📍Location: 23 North Alley, Dongcheng District 🎫Ticket: Free ⏰Open Time: 11:00-19:00, till 23:00 on Fri-Sat

Hall of Imperial Longevity(Chinese name:寿皇殿)

Forbidden City Nearby -Hall of Imperial Longevity

When tourists visit the Forbidden City, they often take a brief trip to Jingshan Mountain to marvel at the beautiful sights of the Forbidden City and the surrounding landscapes. Afterward, they typically head north to capture the breathtaking view of the central axis of the North. If visitors turn their gaze toward the north, they might notice a stunning, shimmering complex of ancient buildings, known as the Qing Dynasty royal ancestor worship hall or the Hall of Imperial Longevity. This complex has been restored to its original historical design and is the second-largest ancient architectural complex on the central axis , excluding the Forbidden City. This beautiful complex is a hidden gem in Jingshan Park, offering visitors a small, peaceful area to enjoy the magnificent beauty of royal architecture.

📍Location: 44 Jinshan West Street, Xicheng District 🎫Ticket: CNY 2 ⏰Open Time: 9:00-:16:00(Tue-Sun)

Round City(Chinese name:团城)

The Round City is located adjacent to the southern entrance of Beihai Park, a frequently overlooked location, but it offers numerous attractions despite its small size. The primary structure, known as the Hall of Divine Light, bears a striking resemblance to the Corner Tower of the Forbidden City and boasts an intricate design. Internally, the hall houses a seated statue of Sakyamuni Buddha originating from Burma, which was meticulously carved from a single block of white jade. Positioned in front of the hall is an extensive wine vessel crafted from green jade, which is the sole remaining artifact from Kublai Khan’s palace dating back to 1265.

📍Location: Beihai Park, No.1 Wenjin Street 🎫Ticket: CNY 1 (cash only) ⏰Open Time: 6:00-21:00(Tue-Sun)

Imperial Ancestral Temple(Chinese name:太庙)

Forbidden City Nearby -Imperial Ancestral Temple

Many individuals who have visited Tian’anmen Square often head straight for the Forbidden City without realizing the presence of two significant altar temples on both sides. These temples, known as the Imperial Ancestral Temple and Temple of Earth and Cereals, played a crucial role during the Ming and Qing Dynasties as places for the royal family to honor their ancestors. One of the most remarkable features of the Imperial Ancestral Temple is its Hall for Worship of Ancestors, standing at a notable height of 32.46 meters, making it taller than the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City. The hall is adorned with resplendent golden bricks on the ground and 68 golden nanmu pillars that exude an aura of grandeur and luxury.

📍Location: East of Tian ‘anmen Square, Chang ‘an Avenue 🎫Ticket: CNY 2 ⏰Open Time: 9:00-17:00

Altar of Earth and Harvests(Chinese name:社稷坛)

Forbidden City Nearby - Altar of Earth and Harvests

On the route leading toward Zhongshan Park is a notable square structure known as the Altar of Earth and Harvests. This historic altar contains five different types of soil, each representing a specific element such as gold, wood, water, fire and earth, all collected from different regions of the country. The Altar of Earth and Harvests was an important location for national soil and grain ceremonies during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy various seasonal flowers such as plum blossoms in March, tulips in April, and beautiful ginkgo trees adorn the altar in October.

📍Location: Within Zhongshan Park, east of Tian ‘anmen Square, Chang ‘an Avenue 🎫Ticket: CNY 3 ⏰Open Time: 6:00-20:00

Former Sino-French University(Chinese name:原中法大学)

Forbidden City Nearby - Former Sino-French University

📍Location: 20 Huangchenggen North Street, Dongcheng District 🎫Ticket: Free, advance booking required ⏰Open Time: 9:00-17:00(Tue-Sun)

Site of the Editorial Office of La Jeunesse(Chinese name:《新青年》编辑部)

Forbidden City Nearby - Site of the Editorial Office of La Jeunesse

It is an old Beijing-style courtyard house, which was once the former residence of Chen Duxiu in Beijing, who found the Chinese literary magazine of New Youth(French: La Jeunesse). The courtyard is small and unique, and the two opposite rooms are transformed into exhibition halls, telling about China’s new cultural movement at that time. Additionally, visitors have the chance to try mimeographing, and can personally print the cover of the first edition of New Youth magazine.

📍Location: 20 Jiangan Hutong, Beichizi Street 🎫Ticket: Free, advance booking required ⏰Open Time: 9:00-17:00(Tue-Sun)

Peking University Red Building(Chinese name:北大红楼)

Forbidden City Nearby - Peking University Red Building

By walking in the northeast direction of the Forbidden City, visitors can come across a beautiful red brick house called the Peking University Red Building which was a crucial location for revolutionary activities. The exhibition rooms have been restored to resemble the setting during the May 4th Movement, including the parade preparation room and office. Tourists can also purchase souvenirs such as stationery, refrigerator stickers, clothes, canvas bags, and more next to the big iron door. Be sure to get them stamped on your way out.

📍Location: 29 Wusi Street, Dongcheng District 🎫Ticket: Free, advance booking required ⏰Open Time: 9:00-16:30(Tue-Sun)

Why is it called the Forbidden City?

The Forbidden City is the Chinese term Zijincheng, which roughly translates to “ Purple Forbidden City ” in English. The name “Forbidden City” has been associated with it for several reasons.

In ancient times, the color purple was associated with power and good fortune. It was believed to be the color of auspice, and there was a saying that “the Purple Air comes from the east – a propitious omen.” The Jade Emperor, who claimed to be the son of Heaven, resided in the legendary Heavenly Palace, known as the “Purple Forbidden” Palace or Ziwei Palace. To correspond with the Heavenly Emperor, the emperor chose the central axis of Beijing to build the Purple Palace on Earth. This is the origin of the “purple”.
The palace where the royal family resides is heavily guarded and majestic to ensure their safety and maintain their dignity. Due to its restricted nature, ordinary people are not allowed to enter the palace grounds, hence the term “forbidden.”
In the past, Beijing was constructed with three primary divisions, namely the outer city, inner city, and palace city. Commoners resided in the outer city while the inner city, also referred to as the Imperial city, was reserved for members of the imperial house. The palace city, where the emperor lived and worked, was referred to as the ‘Forbidden City’.

What is the Forbidden City used for today?

Today, the Forbidden City is home to the Palace Museum . It has numerous exhibitions that showcase valuable cultural artifacts, such as the Gallery of Painting and Calligraphy, The Ceramics Gallery, The Bronze Gallery, The Furniture Gallery, The Tools of War Gallery, The Gallery of Historic Architecture, The Sculpture Gallery, The Gallery of Qing Imperial Opera, The Treasure Gallery, and The Gallery of Clocks. These exhibitions contain a plethora of ancient art treasures, totaling 1,052,653 pieces, and represent one-sixth of China’s cultural artifacts . The museum hosts the richest collection of cultural relics in China, making it world-renowned in ancient culture and art. Some of the treasures found here are priceless national relics known to be unique.

Who built the Forbidden City?

The design of the Forbidden City was a collaborative effort involving many skilled designers rather than just one individual . The initial designer of the Forbidden City was Liu Ji, who planned it according to the layout and style of the “Forbidden City” in Nanjing. Chen Gui then took charge as the chief planner for the construction of the Forbidden City, earning the emperor’s appreciation. Several notable individuals also played pivotal roles in the building process including Cai Xin, a woodworker, Yang Qing, a bricklayer, and Lu Xiang, a stonemason who contributed significantly to the design and construction of the Forbidden City.

Why was the Forbidden City built?

In 1402, the King of Yan of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Di, waged and won a four-year civil war against his nephew Zhu Yunwen, and took control of the throne. To ensure his power in the kingdom , Zhu Di decided to shift the capital to Beijing. In the 4th year of Yongle during the Ming Dynasty in 1406 AD, Zhu Di initiated the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing, which was modeled after the one in Nanjing. The construction of the Forbidden City was completed 14 years later, in the 18th year of Yongle in 1420. Despite many fires and rebuilds during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Forbidden City still stands today.

What is the reason behind the name “Gold Bricks”?

Brick-paved floors and grounds can be observed in the Forbidden City. These bricks are called Jinzhuan, or ‘gold bricks’, and are not made of real gold. Instead, they are crafted from a fine clay that is best suited for making dense bricks. The process of making such a brick takes 720 days; and they are quite expensive, costing as much as one or two gold pieces. Thus, they are known as “gold bricks.” As cultural relics, their value has more than doubled over time. For instance, a pair of gold bricks from the imperial kiln sold for over CNY 800,000 during the Yongle period.

Why is The Forbidden City known as The World of Dragons?

In ancient China, dragons held great significance, especially for the royal family. The Chinese emperors were considered the true dragons and the rulers of the earth, earning them the title “Son of Heaven.” The Forbidden City, which served as the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties, was decorated with dragon motifs in its halls, bridges, stone carvings, jade seals, and imperial robes, symbolizing the Emperor’s supreme nobility. The Hall of Supreme Harmony, one of the Forbidden City’s halls, contains an extensive collection of 12,654 dragon ornaments. All these dragon symbols represented the Emperor’s supreme rule.

🎫Do I need a visa for China?

Yes. Most visitors to China will need a visa to enter the country. The type of visa you need will depend on the purpose and duration of your trip, as well as your nationality. If you are a resident of the US, you must apply for a Chinese visa at the Consular Office in the country. On the other hand, inhabitants of countries like Japan, Canada, and the UK can request a visa through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center .

🤔 Why is it necessary to install a VPN in China?

In China, the government has strict regulations on internet access, leading to the blocking of popular websites and social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, and YouTube. To access these sites, a VPN is suggested as a means of bypassing the restrictions. It is important to choose a reputable VPN provider and use caution while doing so. ExpressVPN has been historically deemed the most reliable VPN for this purpose, despite being heavily targeted by China’s censors. Nevertheless, it is still a widely preferred option owing to its ease of installation and user-friendliness.

📲 Is it necessary to have a Chinese SIM card while in China?

Yes. It is crucial to acknowledge that accessing the internet in China may pose limitations due to certain websites being prohibited or filtered. To ensure uninterrupted connectivity while staying in China, purchasing a local SIM card is advisable. For optimum results, acquiring SIM cards from either China Unicom or China Mobile is recommended. While China Mobile has the most comprehensive coverage in China and is a market leader, China Unicom is more compatible with foreign phones, enabling 3G and 4G services. Or you can purchase a SIM card online .

🔮 Should I buy China travel insurance?

Yes. Although China is generally a safe country for travel, it is still possible to encounter accidents or other unexpected occurrences. Therefore, obtaining travel insurance can provide a sense of security and financial protection. In my research, I have found that World Nomads is a reputable travel insurance provider that covers a wide range of activities and is recommended for the average traveler. Nevertheless, I advise you to compare insurance quotes from various providers before making a decision.

🚙 Can you rent a car in China?

Unfeasible . Obtaining a Chinese driver’s license to rent a car and self-drive may seem like an option, but it is not a practical choice for most foreigners. Therefore, many prefer to opt for a driver or public transportation when navigating China, as it proves to be more convenient.

✈️ What’s the best site to purchase flight tickets for China?

I suggest using Trip for affordable flights to China. As a China-based company, they often offer lower prices compared to foreign companies. Additionally, they offer English-speaking phone support in case of any issues.

🏡 What is the best way to book hotels in China?

Not only does Trip offer a wider range of flight options, but it also provides a greater selection of hotels to choose from. Moreover, Agoda is a reliable resource for hotels throughout Asia.

🎒What do I pack for China?

Travel adapter and converter: China uses a different electrical system than many other countries, so it’s important to bring a travel adapter and converter if you plan to use electronic devices such as phones, cameras, and laptops. Sunscreen: The UV index in China can be high, particularly during the summer months, and prolonged exposure to the sun without protection can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer. Deodorant: It should be noted that finding deodorant in China may not be a simple task.

📚 Can a guidebook for traveling to China be useful?

Yes . If you’re planning to travel to China for the first time, a travel guidebook can be a valuable resource, and Lonely Planet is one of the most reputable guides available globally. Its comprehensive itineraries and recommendations take into account your personal preferences and can save you both time and money. The insider tips are also extremely helpful in navigating China’s unique cultural landscape like a local.

Enjoy these related articles

Forbidden City

As the seat of power for hundreds of years, Beijing is full of examples of imperial extravagance and architectural design. In no place are these on better display than the Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum or gu gong in Chinese.

This immense complex, with its seemingly endless red and gold buildings, sits at the heart of Beijing and was the home of the emperors and their households, as well as the center of Chinese government, for almost 500 years, from 1420 of the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1912. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 and is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.

Forbidden City Virtual Tour

Want to visit the forbidden city spontaneously with a professional live guide learn more about our guided virtual tour here, highlights and travel tips.

The Palace Museum is massive; it covers an area of approximately 150,000 square meters and is surrounded by a moat 3,800 meters long and 52 meters wide. The complex consists of an impressive 980 buildings, many of which are now open to the public.

Travelers must enter the Palace Museum at the South Gate. Note that before you can enter the Tiananmen area and walk through to the entrance of the Palace Museum, you will need to queue for a security check. You will need your passport to get a ticket and enter the Palace Museum. Starting from October 2, 2017, all visitors to the Forbidden City must book their tickets online. Find out how to buy Forbidden City tickets online here .

Despite its immense size, most visitors stick to the Forbidden City's central axis from the south entrance to the north exit. This route takes around two hours and allows you to take in all of the most magnificent gates and palaces, including the Meridian Gate ( wumen ), the Gate of Supreme Harmony ( taihemen ), the Hall of Supreme Harmony ( taihedian ), the Gate of Heavenly Purity ( qianqingmen ), the Palace of Heavenly Purity ( qianqinggong ), the Imperial Garden ( yuhuayuan ) and the Gate of Divine Prowess ( shenwumen ). The central axis usually attracts the most visitors and is crowded during peak hours.

Since a lot of the Forbidden City's many halls and palaces may look similar, we've provided a tourist map below to get you acquainted with some of its key sights. Simply click on the icons along the main south-north axis for more information. The complex also features good signage in both English and Chinese, and renting an audio guide will also help explain what you're seeing. If you want to make the most of your visit, we strongly recommend hiring a licensed guide to give you a thorough and informative tour of all the Forbidden City's top sights.

Tourist Map of Forbidden City

If you have more time and plan on taking any detours from the central axis, we recommend visiting the northeastern corner of the complex, called the Tranquil Longevity Sector, where the Empress Dowager and the many imperial concubines resided. Here, you'll find a well-preserved nine-dragon wall, one of just three of these ancient decorations that remain in China, as well as numerous atmospheric halls and gardens and an impressive, three-story opera house.

Another worthwhile stop is the impressive Hall of Clocks, which features lavish and intricate timepieces that were gifted to Qing emperors by various European leaders and diplomats from the 17th century on. This interesting museum (which costs 10 RMB extra to enter) can be reached by veering off to the right just after walking through the Hall of Preserving Harmony.

Depending on how in-depth you want to go, it can take up to a full day to explore all of the accessible areas in the Forbidden City. If you have a half day or full day to spend exploring the Forbidden City, you can find recommended tour routes and maps at the Palace Museum website .

If you want to beat the crowds, avoid going to the Forbidden City on weekends and Chinese Holidays, and plan your visit for the early morning or the afternoon. Learn more about how to avoid the crowds when traveling in China here .

Bring plenty of water if you are visiting during the summer or early autumn, as it gets rather hot and there is little shade inside. There are places to buy drinks and snacks inside the Palace Museum but expect touristy prices. The gift shops sell good souvenirs at fixed prices. Toilets are adequate and mainly Chinese style.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you can spend hours just walking around the complex on sometimes uneven stone courtyards.

After touring the Palace Museum, visitors must exit from the North or East Gate. There is no subway station near these two gates, so you will need to opt for a bus or taxi.

Jingshan Park is just opposite the North Gate; we recommend climbing the hill (Coal Hill) inside the park so you can get a bird's-eye view of the Forbidden City after your visit.

Accessibility Information

There is an accessible tour route for wheelchair users on the eastern side of the central courtyards. You can find the map of the wheelchair friendly route here . Following this route, visitors in wheelchairs can access all of the most magnificent palaces in the Forbidden City. Accessible toilets are also available along this route. There are map and signs showing the accessible route, and you can always ask the staff for additional information or help when you are not sure.

Beyond this accessible route, it would be difficult for wheelchair users to explore other parts of the Forbidden City, since the rest of the complex is full of stairs and high thresholds.

Limited public wheelchairs are also available for rental at no charge at the service center. A deposit of 500 CNY is required and will be returned when you return the wheelchair at the exit.

Opening Hours & Ticket Prices

Opening hours: April-October: 8:30am-5:00pm, last entry at 4:10pm / November-March: 8:30am-4:30pm, last entry at 3:40pm. Closed on Mondays. Entrance fee: April-October, 60 CNY; November-March, 40 CNY Ticket for Treasure Gallery/Hall of Clocks: 10 CNY Average time for this activity: 2 hours

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Visitor's Guide to the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) in Beijing

The Palace Museum

Named one of China's UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites in 1987, the Forbidden City is probably China's most well-known museum. Its famous red walls housed Ming and Qing emperors for nearly 500 years. Now the halls, gardens, pavilions and nearly one million treasures are visited and viewed by millions of tourists each year.

What You'll See

Don't be misguided by the word "museum" in the official name. You will not be visiting anything like a standard museum where treasures are housed within glass boxes and visitors file along from room to room.

A Visit to the Palace Museum is more like a very long walk from one enormous plaza to another enormous plaza broken up by peeks into different official and residential buildings where the court and their minions ruled and lived.

The Forbidden City is located in the heart of Beijing, directly north of Tiananmen Square .

History of the Forbidden City

The third Ming emperor, Yongle, constructed the Forbidden City from 1406 to 1420, as he moved his capital from Nanjing to Beijing . Twenty-four successive Ming and Qing emperors ruled from the palace until 1911 when the Qing dynasty fell. Puyi, the last emperor, was allowed to live inside the inner court until his expulsion in 1924. A committee then took charge of the palace, and, after organizing over a million treasures, the committee opened the Palace Museum to the public on October 10, 1925.

Surrounded by 10m high walls and a 52m wide moat
Measures 961m from north to south and 753k from east to west, covering 720,000 square meters
Each side has one gate. Tourists today enter through the southern Meridian Gate (Wu men) and exit through the northern Gate of Spiritual Valor (Shenwu men).
70 halls and palaces, totaling 9,999 rooms comprise the palace which spans a north-south axis
Multiple galleries displaying portions of the imperial treasure trove
Audio guides in multiple languages are available at the Meridian Gate (Wu men) and the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwu men). Rental requires a deposit which you get back when you turn in our audio guide at the exit.
Bag check at Meridian Gate, Wumen (but you'll have to go all the way back to get it at the end of your trip).
Gift shops, bookstores, snacks (there used to be a Starbucks, located in the southeastern corner of the Hall of Preserving Harmony but it's been replaced by something local)
Information Center in the Archery Pavilion (Jian Ting)

Essential Information

Public buses that stop at the Forbidden City: 1, 4, 20, 52, 57, 101, 103, 109, 111
Metro stops: Tian'anmenxi or Tian'anmendong on the East-West line
Opening hours: Daily all year (closes slightly earlier in winter)
Recommended time for visit: at least three hours.

Forbidden City Visiting Tips

Visitors enter the Forbidden City from Tian'anmen Square through the big red wall with Mao's portrait hung on it. This is the southern end of the palace and you'll walk the length of the compound to the northern end. It's not a round-trip visit but rather a long exploration through the compound. Consider that when meeting people or checking bags. If you need to get back to Tian'anmen Square after your visit, it will be another long walk (or short cab ride) back.
Wear comfortable shoes and think about sun protection. The walk itself, with nominal stops to look at buildings, will probably take you 2-3 hours. There is little opportunity to sit down and rest and very little shade.
Consider going on a guided tour. You'll get a lot more out of your experience if you know what all the buildings were for and what happened in them. Otherwise, it's just a series of similar buildings separated by long walks through big plazas.
If you haven't come with a guided tour, consider an audio tour. Even though you'll feel like you're passing all opportunities to rent one of these, hold out for the Roger Moore narrated audio guide. It's worth it.
As you enter through the Meridian Gate, be on the lookout for shops selling a lovely map of the Imperial Palace. If you would like a nice souvenir, grab this now. Unlike 99% of other souvenirs in China, where you see the same things time after time, you will only ever see this map in the shop that is located at the beginning of the tour of the Forbidden City.

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How to Book Forbidden City (Palace Museum) Tickets from Official Website 2024

- Important notes, prices, how and when to book, step-by-step instruction, cancellation, visiting guide...

Securing sought-after and limited Forbidden City Beijing tickets was once a challenging and cumbersome task. But the good news is, to meet the diverse visiting needs of international tourists, the Forbidden City (also known as the Palace Museum) has recently implemented a new official ticketing system optimized for international visitors. Now you can efficiently book tickets on its website with only passport numbers and email accounts required.

Click the top right corner to switch to the English version, you will find helpful booking instructions and ticket inspection instructions, interactive calendar for date selection, and clearly listed ticket options. You can check latest available tickets, exhibitions, schedules, prices, order information, etc. and also we will update the latest news for you.

Important Notes Before Booking Forbidden City Tickets

Ticket Price: ◆ General Admission Tickets: April 1st - October 31st (high season) CNY 60 November 1st - March 31st (low season) CNY 40 ◆ Optional Tickets: The Treasure Gallery CNY 10 The Gallery of Clocks CNY 10

Opening Hours: ①8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (Opening time for admission: 8:30 ; Last admission: 15:30) ②The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays except for statutory holidays. ③Morning session: Check tickets by 12:00 (noon) ; Afternoon session: Ticket checks start at 11:00 am.

Useful Tips:

1. There is no third-party sales and tickets should be booked exclusively through the official website to avoid fraud. 2. The visitor limit maximum is 40,000 visitors per day and the Forbidden City does not sell same-day tickets. So register for your visit in advance. 3. Passport for booking & entry and real-name reservation are required for international visitors for security and identification purposes. And only one ticket can be reserved per visit per day with the same passport. 4. To enter the Forbidden City, visitors must bring the original valid passport used to book their tickets to the Meridian Gate (Wu men), the south gate of the Forbidden City, for check-in.

Access the Ticket System of Forbidden City & Sign Up

Visit Forbidden City ticketing website, switch to the English version, then click on the button of Sign in, enter your email address to get a verification code, finally use it to log into the system.

Forbidden City Ticket Booking - 6 Easy Steps

Click on the button of Book tickets to enter the booking process.

1. Select your visit date and choose the quantity of tickets

Choose your intended visit date from the calendar. Please book your tickets at least one day in advance, and you can book up to a maximum of 7 days in advance. Then choose the quantity of ticket type. (e.g. standard tickets, senior citizen discounts, etc. if applicable)

2. Enter visitor information

Enter visitor details, including first name & last name, country/region, and passport number. When booking online, you can book tickets for up to 5 people at a time. Just enter their passport numbers and corresponding information. When enter the tour site, provide the original passport of each individual.

3. Select exhibitions

Based on general admission tickets selected, if you are interested, browse available galleries and exhibitions on display for the chosen date, and select what you wish to visit.

4. Confirm your order

Then confirm your order details including ticket selections, exhibitions, subtotal prices etc.

5. Check reservation result and make the payment

With reservation successful, select a payment method and complete the transaction within 30 minutes. You can choose credit card, WeChat/Alipay payment and also can apply for on-site payment.

6. Receive confirmation notification

With payment successful, you will receive booking confirmation by email.

● Cancellation and Refunds

Start from ☛ www.bookingticket.dpm.org.cn

Contact and Support

◆ Language assistance is available on site. ◆ For issues or inquiries, email [email protected] or contact (8610)8500-7420. ◆ Contact us for immediate help and comprehensive information.

Useful Forbidden City Visiting Tips

◆ How to plan the visiting route? You can arrange your visit based on the expected duration of your tour, such as 2-hour, half-day, and full-day tour recommendations. We recommend spending half a day exploring the Forbidden City, as this allows for a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of its history and culture, while maintaining an enjoynable pace. After visiting the Forbidden City, we suggest a visit to the nearby Jingshan Park (about a 4-minute walk) where you can enjoy the majestic and charming panorama of the Forbidden City and Beijing City.

◆ How to get to the Forbidden City? Rightly located at the center of Beijing City, Forbidden City is easily accessible by subway line 1 (most convenient), by bus and even on foot.

◆ Where to get convenient services? You can click on the button of visit to figure out the position of service spots from the map, including Guide, Audio Guide, Service Center，Nursery，Shop，Food & Drink，Coffee，First Aid，Stroller Rental, Broadcasting Station and etc.

For more visiting tips and useful details, click ☛ The Forbidden City

Book Forbidden City Tickets with US

As a part of our private valuable Beijing tour packages, we promise to book Forbidden City tickets for you in an ensured and well-formed way. We are sorry ticket-booking-only is currently not available.

1. Travel agency's specialized booking system helps you skip registration and tedious steps. 2. The Forbidden City tickets often sell out quickly; we can ensure your successful reservation. 3. If you book tickets with us and choose our tour packages, we'll provide an experienced local guide to help you gain a deeper understanding of the Forbidden City's history and its precious collections. 4. Beyond the Forbidden City, we can also assist in booking tickets for other Beijing attractions, such as the Great Wall , the Temple of Heaven , and the Summer Palace .

Travel With Our Valuable & Worry-free Beijing Tour Package

Besides booking tickets, we are also good at create tailor-made Beijing journeys and will tailor the perfect itinerary for you with experienced travel planners, local guides and well-informed schedules. In a word, China Discovery will ensure you a captivating Beijing visit with great comfort. Here are our most recommended and popular Beijing tour packages as below. Wish you a nice, smooth and enjoyable journey in China!

How to Plan Your Beijing Tour 2024/2025

To explore the best highlights of Beijing, including Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Hutongs, you only need 2 or 3 full days , which is available for to 144 Hours Visa-free for Transit in Beijing. If you have more days, you can go for an in-depth Great Wall hiking or photography, and explore more hidden attractions in the city.

As the most popular transportation hub in China, you can easily travel from Beijing to any other hot travel destinations in China by flight or train, such as Xian , Shanghai, Yangtze River, Guilin , Chengdu , Tibet and other popular destinations in China by flight or train.. China Discovery has designed many great China tour packages from Beijing for you. Please make your choice from our collections or let us customize one for you.

We have helped many global travelers enjoy their memorable wonderful trips to Beijing for the past few years. Among them, a special team of over 50 VIPKID teachers from North America traveled with us to see their dear studends in China with amazing experience in Beijing and shared us their special travel story ! Travel with China Discovery to create your great China trip memories!

Recommended Beijing Tour ☛ 2 Days Beijing Best Highlights Tour (Hotel Pickup) ☛ 3 Days Beijing Essential Short Stay Tour (Visa Free) ☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour Package (Leisure Paced)

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A Little Fascination… A Day Wandering Beijing’s Forbidden City

Last updated on January 21, 2024 by Shannon

As nonchalance creeps into my travels, I find myself in a battle to find a way to love every new moment on the road. I arrived in China and there was so much to explore .

But also, since I live on the road , like a spider building a web, my thoughts spiraled: “Is this worth my time? Could I be eating food right now? I mean really, how is this different than the 25 other palaces I’ve seen in the past two-and-a-half years since I started traveling full time ?”

But hello, China!

Visiting the Forbidden City is an absolute given when traveling through Beijing. Even though I had done little research prior to my trip, I knew that I could arrive in the city, hire a guide (or use my guidebook in this case), and learn the deep history, quirky architectural nuances, and modern meaning of the Forbidden City.

Table of Contents

First Impressions: How to Get into the Forbidden City

stark tree at the forbidden city in beijing

Even though I take a decidedly more laissez faire approach to travel now, there was never a question I would leave the warmth of my hostel and reserve a full day for sightseeing around Beijing with my friends (who had traveled all the way from Florida to hang out!).

We all donned many layers of cold-weather gear to face the whipping March winds that surge through the wide, open courtyards in Beijing’s Forbidden City.

views of the forbidden city when first entering

We had a bit of a miss for the first hour—we got lost, which is par for the course for me—and we had some hilarious back-and-forth discussions where we all admitted that the Forbidden City was smaller and altogether less than we had anticipated.

Turns out we had arrived through the workers section.

The actual Forbidden City was just next door. Which we realized when we saw a glittering, gilded temple just over the wall that outshone the handful of woefully unadorned buildings we had just photographed for an hour—whoops!

what it's like to enter the forbidden city

Quickly exiting the workers section, we figured out how to get into the actual Forbidden City. Naturally, that’s where we found hordes of other tourists queuing for tickets and shuffling through the elaborate arched doorways.

You’ll know you’re in the right spot when you’re thrust by pulsing crowds into a huge square crowned by beautifully named Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Suddenly it hit me. In front of me was China’s iconic Forbidden City. The very one that I had curiously studied while perusing the pages of National Geographic magazines as a child. Built in the 15th century by the third Ming emperor, Yongle, the emperors ruled from this palace all the way until 1911.

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What to See at the Forbidden City

the river running through the forbidden city

Instead of hiring a guide, we three decided to take a self-guided tour of the grounds. Using our Beijing guidebook , we could snake our way through each area at our leisure, reading the history of each building and discussing among ourselves.

Had any of us been history or architecture buffs, hiring a guide would have been a good idea, but if you have an app or guidebook with key facts, that’s probably sufficient for most travelers.

Enjoy the Small Details

artwork on the walls of the Forbidden City flowers and leaves over the doorway of entrances

Relieved to see ornate beauty unfolding as we walked deeper into the grounds, we began a slow and methodical study of the buildings and architecture. As we walked further into the city, I spotted an endless number of tiny, intriguing details on every building.

The Palaces themselves, as structures, are quite similar. But little details—colors and designs, and symbolic whirls—make the Forbidden City truly worth a wander. It’s this aspect of a place that I most remember in all of my travels to amazing, historic sites.

The colorful flakes of marble carved into the Taj Mahal and the snubbed-out faces of dancing figures at Angkor Wat tell an intriguing and altogether more intimate story of a place.

Cater to Your Interests

huge red doors within the Forbidden City with bronze knobs

Embracing my own interests these past few years—rather than caving to the prescribed traditional tourist experiences—continually defines my travels. So as we looked, I took notice of fine cracks in the carvings near the Palace of Tranquil Longevity.

Even visiting one of the top tourist attractions in Beijing, there are no true “must sees”—instead there are parts of the temple better suited to different interests, and by visiting things that align with your interests, the entire experience becomes infinitely more memorable.

Delight in Uncommon Stories

Huge bronze vats that were used for liquid water year round to prevent fires

Huge bronze vats flank the major palace buildings. Although we could have walked right by them, instead I overhead a guide explain their significance and stopped to admire the passage of time marked in the weathered black streaks marring the bright bronze hue.

Each vat always contained liquid water that could be used to extinguish palace fires in bygone days. The Chinese deeply feared fire in previous centuries, and rightly so!

According to UNESCO, the Forbidden City houses the world’s largest collection of wooden structures—so these vats stored water and throughout the freezing winters the Chinese maintained a fire under the vats to keep the water liquid, otherwise a fire could have ravaged the city in mere minutes.

When in Asia, Find the Gardens

pink flowers in bloom with the iconic shaped roods of the forbidden city behind it

Next up on our route was a trip through the palace gardens—a little wonderland and a fun surprise to happen upon after several hours of museums and endless architecture. The gardens presented an aesthetic wonderland of flowers, trees, rock gardens, and small pagodas.

We had moderate luck for spring bounties—cherry blossoms were about two weeks from full bloom, but we managed to glimpse and experience a small slice of China’s colorful spring beauty.

Find Where Culture and History Intersect

rock garden at the forbidden city in beijing on a sunny day

This is the point where I have to shout out that the Forbidden City may, in fact, possess the most gorgeous and lyrical naming system in the world.

A few buildings within the Forbidden City include:

The Palace of Heavenly Purity
The Hall of Mental Cultivation
The Gate of Divine Might
The Hall of Literary Glory

With such pretty names, we were torn about which ones to leave off of our itinerary, because the Forbidden City is enormous and even the most ardent and enthusiastic palace lovers will, eventually, hit Palace fatigue.

Once we felt we had seen the highlights, however, it was time to find a better vantage point on it all.

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Where to Find Panoramic Views of the Forbidden City

Jingshan Park for panoramic views of the forbidden city

With a final spurt of energy, we spied a high viewpoint at the park crowning the Forbidden City. After hours wandering and sightseeing inside the Forbidden City, we wanted a change of pace.

A hot ear of steamed corn from a street food vendor filled our bellies enough to continue onward—note that this is not the tastiest food choice in Beijing.

From the base, it was an easy hike up the nearby hill in Jingshan Park for panoramic views over Beijing and a gorgeous aerial view of the tourist madness down below.

The entire Forbidden City stretches just ahead and it was fun to pick out the sections of the city and places we had just explored.

Visit Jingshan Park in the late afternoon, just as the sun begins its descent. The light bathes the Forbidden City in a warm glow, and you’ll find locals gathering to sing traditional Peking opera or play the erhu, a two-stringed Chinese violin.

It’s a unique, less-touristy way to soak in both the panoramic views and authentic local culture in one swoop. Trust me, this twilight experience elevates your understanding of Beijing from mere sightseeing to something far more intimate and evocative.

A Side-Trip to the Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heave beijing easy side trip near the forbidden city

Exhausted and hungry (questionably-tasty corn can really only go so far in satiating hunger), we found delicious, steaming dumplings at a hole-in-the-wall spot nearby before crowning our day of sightseeing with the Temple of Heaven.

This makes an side-trip addition to a half-day of exploring China’s Forbidden City and it is unskippable. Although you might have temple fatigue, the Temple of Heaven is unique and really quite beautiful. Plus it only needs a quick visit to see the highlights and it’s a much faster visit than the Forbidden City.

Through it all, even with the iconic shots of the Temple of Heaven, and the Palace of Supreme Harmony, I’m glad I took five extra minutes to revel in my geek-tasticness and enjoy the little details on the water cisterns. Travel is about more than seeing everything, it’s about taking things in and allowing curiosity to guide you! :)

How to Visit the Forbidden City in Beijing

old bike outside the forbidden city not ideal transportation!

How to Get into the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City is located directly across from Tiananmen Square. Enter via the front entrance—you can enter from the back too, but you should start at the front gate, the Meridian Gate, so you can exit through the Gate of Divine Might and walk across the street to Jingshan Park for panoramic views.

If you don’t plan to visit Jingshan Park, then starting very early morning at the south gate is an effective way to avoid crowds.

The Forbidden City is located off of the Red Line 1 on Beijing’s highly effective metro system. Use the Tiananmen East or West stop on the metro line (Tian’anmenxi or Tian’anmendong), once you exit, you can’t miss the entrance.

The entrance fee is currently ¥40 in the winter and ¥60 in the summer. book online ahead of time to skip the queues and guarantee entry.

forbidden city sign about being respectful of the space

Best Time to Visit the Forbidden City

It’s closed most Mondays, but otherwise the is open Forbidden City every day at 8:30 a.m. Go early to avoid some of the tour buses that drop off hordes of tourists all day long.

Or visit in the early afternoon—last entry tickets sold at 3:30 p.m. in winter (4 p.m. in summer).

For the sake of your photos, and your sanity, go early, or go late.

If arriving late, note that only 80,000 tickets are available each day and they may sell out if you don’t book ahead of time. The site that sells tickets online is in Chinese, or you can Google and find an intermediary selling them—you can book up to 10 days in advance.

How to Explore the Forbidden City

Temple details at the Forbidden City in Beijing, China.

You have options for exploring! Although you could just wander the site, it’s an overwhelming string of corridors and buildings. Instead, either book a guide when you arrive, or you can join a day tour you find online.

There are also audio guides available when you buy your ticket—do this if you’ve arrived with nothing else to help you give the site context.

Lastly, you can use something like a Lonely Planet Beijing for some context, but it’s actually best for how to navigate details (we used ours for transport and planning tips of our entire China trip, but preferred other guides for more detailed historical information).

You could also download this fascinating e-guide , which is cheap and offers a very thorough and visual journey to accompany you through your self-guided walking tour.

Book a day tour to maximize your time.

GetYourGuide has a phenomenal range of tours, and they’re affordable too. Maximize your time by booking your must-dos as a tour, and then slot in the rest as time permits.

What to Bring

You must bring your passport to enter. Although some nationalities can use other types of ID cards, I wouldn’t bet on it. Wear comfy shoes and bring weather-appropriate clothing .

Even in the freezing cold, we had bright sunshine and needed sunscreen and hats. You are allowed to bring water inside the Forbidden City, and your own snacks (and you should!). I always carry a nice reusable water bottle and it’s easy to refill in various places.

Additional Forbidden City Travel Tips

The Northeast turrets are among the best photo spots within the city, and hiking in Jingshan Park on a clear day (one with less smog), will also yield pretty views.

Don’t check your bag upon entering or it’s a long walk back for it at the end. And don’t forget to pack a travel adapter for China so you can charge your electronics!

23 thoughts on “A Little Fascination… A Day Wandering Beijing’s Forbidden City”

Just back from work trip, and took in my second visit, impressive place, a bit dirty with the dust and could do with a clean, Disney land could turn it around, but would drive the price up by 700%,… so much potential visit before it changes…

Glad to hear that it still has that “something special” even on a second visit. Thanks for weighing in and sharing your experience Hugh!

Gorgeous photos! I especially like the one of the tree.

Sounds like you’ll have to return and see more of Beijing.

Thanks so much! Appreciate the support :)

Such a wonderful information about China. I will keep all of this in mind when I travel and will make sure it’s on my tour list. Thanks for sharing Shannon!

i had seen a documentary on the forbidden city on discovery , amazing history… great pics btw…

Thanks Oliver! It’s worth a visit if you’re in the city :)

I enjoyed the Forbidden City but I liked the views from Jingshan Park more – and they only cost 2RMB :)

Beijing is such a fun place to be, and you could spend weeks there (I was there for two) and still not see everything. Did you find it really big? The concrete is just endless…if a subway station looks close to a sight on the map, it’s still probably a good twenty minute walk away!

Very good point Megan – the views from Jingshan was a highlight, and actually one I almost missed out on because I hadn’t done any research, but luckily we saw it there in the distance and decided to investigate :)

You no doubt saw more in your two weeks there than I managed (just three days!) but you’re right…our hostel was “just near the Tienanmen Square metro stop” – that meant a 15 minute walk!

This was a lot of fun for me to read. I lived in Beijing for three years, so it was good to see these pictures and read your musings on a place that has been a huge part of my life.

I personally always thought the Forbidden City was a bit overrated. You have to go there once just to tick it off your list and say you’ve been there, but I felt like it’s all kind of the same. There are some touristy places in Beijing that I went to multiple times. I think I went to the Forbiden City once.

Tourists can jam pack their day in the same area by visiting Tiananmen Square and it’s accompanying sights (the south gate, Mao’s tomb, whatever the museum is called that’s right there).

I do love the Temple of Heaven, though. It’s one of the coolest structures I’ve ever seen. And for those interested in shopping, the Peal Market (which sells much, much more than pearls) is right across from the east side of the Temple of Heaven park.

Some of my favorite slightly more obscure things to see on Beijing were the Military Museum and the Beijing International Sculpture Park. There’s also a PLR shooting range to the northwest of the city, where you can shoot uzis, AK-47s, M16s, etc. That’s one of my favorite Beijing memories :)

Thanks for weighing in Tristan and sharing tips! You definitely have a much deeper understanding of Beijing, having lived there for so long – and I can’t help but agree that the F.C. is a bit of a list ticker. I managed to find some areas and details that were intriguing, but on the whole, there are more amazing places in the city.

I did make it to the Pearl Market and had a fun time bargaining down the vendors for my US friends so they could by some souvenirs :)

If I make it back to Beijing I’ll definitely take your recommendations and check out those other spots (is it wrong to admit I’ve always *kinda* wondered what it’s like to shoot an AK-47 ;-)

Some great information on how to get there and what it costs. More importantly, you shed some light on something we tend to miss as long-term travelers. You can flood a monument a million times by a million people, but no matter what, each person will see it differently. And love the new picture format!

Thanks Jeannie! You’re right about the perspective differences – traveling is so personal, and we bring ourselves to it, so that plays into everything we report on as travel bloggers :)

Hey Shannon,

Sweet pictures as always.

And nice site revamp. :-)

And is it just me, or did “sexy bookmarks” plugin get an upgrade, too? (like the little numbers showing retweets, etc)

Cheers and thanks Jeff! I can breathe a sigh of relief when I have to look at my own site now, whew. As for “Sexy Bookmarks” – your eyes do not lie, they now possess even more sexy! ;-)

I love the names of those palaces. I’d visit just for the names alone!

That’s precisely how I felt too Joanna! The naming just so lyrical and pretty :)

I am digging your new design, very nice Shannon!

Thanks Ayngelina! I like to call it ALA: now with less teal. :-)

I’m with Anthony I have always wanted to visit the Forbidden city. But my travels have been a bit on the slow side lately so I dont know if I will get to take photos of my own or if I will have to continue to learn about this place from sites like yours. Thanks for the great article and photos.

Glad you enjoyed the post – and part of traveling is having those things on your bucket list to dream about! Crossing my fingers you get there soon :)

It has been a dream of mine to go to the forbidden city. Not sure if it will come true one day but we will be going back through Asia on our way back home to Oz. Guess we can live through this post for the time being. Cheers ;)

Hopefully you can add China onto the itinerary before Oz – or at least it’s a fairly close flight if you make a vacation in the future! Glad you enjoyed the post and pictures, it’ll be even better once you make it there too :)

How to Tour the Forbidden City

Forbidden City in Beijing, China

For 500 years, the Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace and home to 24 emperors; it takes its English name from the fact that no one outside of the imperial household could visit without permission from the emperor. In Chinese, it’s most commonly called gugong, meaning “former palace.” The Forbidden City has 17 palaces, five halls and, legend has it, 9,999.5 rooms. Ten is a number reserved for the celestial emperor, so the Forbidden City must have fewer rooms than the 10,000 belonging to the palace believed to be in heaven. It covers a massive 720,000 square meters, nearly 10 times the size of Buckingham Palace. It’s an incredible site, but its sheer size means planning for your visit is a necessity. Beijing’ s most popular attraction, it sees more than 8 million visitors annually.

PLANNING YOUR VISIT

Opening Hours

From November 1st to March 31st, the Forbidden City is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. From April 1st to October 31st, it’s open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are sold until an hour before closing. The site is closed Mondays. See the official website for further information on closures during pubic holidays. The best time to visit the Forbidden City is weekday mornings. Weekends and holidays, particularly October 1-3 (China’s national day is Oct. 1), are when the Forbidden City is at its most crowded as visitors also flock from China’s countryside to take in the site.

The closest subway station to the Forbidden City is Tiananmen East, exit B (the red line, no. 1). Security around the Forbidden City is very tight and the checkpoints and barricades can move at any time. The subway is the best way to reach the Forbidden City and to leave, especially as it’s difficult to flag down a cab in the immediate area. The subway is typically crowded during rush hour, but by 9:15 or so will be less crowded. If you must come by taxi, you should have your driver drop you off at the corner of Nanchizi Street (Nan Chi Zi Da Jie 南池子大街) and East Chang’An Ave (Dong Chang An Jie 东长安街).

Bottled water is allowed through security. Snacks and drinks, including bottled water, are also available at a kiosk near the ticket window.

After the first three main halls, there is a café and a larger teahouse. There are also benches outside the café and teahouse, in the area between the Six Eastern Palaces and the Six Western Palaces, and in front of the Gate of Divine Prowess.

There is a bathroom that one passes on the way in from Tiananmen Square, but it’s typically quite crowded. There are toilets at both the Six Eastern and Six Western palaces and in the back part of the Forbidden City. These bathrooms are not up to Western standards but are the only options inside the area; bring your own tissues and hand sanitizer.

DON’T MISS OUR FORBIDDEN CITY WALKING TOUR

One of the best ways to experience the former imperial residence is to join one of our local scholars on a walking tour of the Forbidden City . On any given day, our focus may tend toward the architecture and symbolism of the complex, toward the political history of China and its many dynasties, or toward daily life in the court, owing to the area of expertise of our docent and the interests of the group. Regardless of our course—and, often, we pursue many—the former Imperial Palace itself provides the textbook and background for this fascinating exploration of ancient Chinese history.

West of the Gate of Heavenly Purity

Look for a low, long building that, during the latter part of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), was the office of the Grand Council, the emperor’s highest level of advisors. Just beside the office door is a gate leading north to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where the emperors worked and lived in the 18th and 19th centuries. Traveling further north takes you to the courtyards which once housed the palace women—the concubines and wives of the emperor. Here you can find some furniture and artifacts from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

East of the Gate of Heavenly Purity

To the east of the Gate of Heavenly Purity is a gate leading to the Hall of Jewelry. This exhibit requires an extra ¥10 admission fee. In addition to exhibits of imperial family jewels, one has access to the recently restored retirement palace of the Qianlong Emperor, who ruled from 1735-1796, and to a set of lovely courtyards in the Northeast precincts of the palace. Docent Jeremiah Jenne recommends “these small nooks and quiet alcoves [because they] receive far fewer visitors than the grand spaces of the Outer Palaces. One can sometimes even find oneself totally alone, imagining if only for a moment what it must have been like to have been a palace denizen in days gone by.”

FORBIDDEN CITY RESOURCES

Official website for the Forbidden City, with information on closures, exhibitions, and different routes within the space.

The Forbidden City in Numbers

Gugong: Means former Palace. This is the most commonly used Chinese name for the Forbidden City.

Tiananmen Dong Zhan : Tiananmen East Station (天安东门站), the station where our scholar-led Forbidden City visit meets.

Taiheimen : The Gate of Supreme Harmony—the second major gate encountered when one enters the Forbidden City from the south—is where the Ming Dynasty emperors held morning court.

Wumen : The Meridian Gate is the Forbidden City’s largest, with five arches. The center arch was for the emperor alone; the exceptions were the empress, who could pass through only on her wedding day, and the top three scholars who, following the civil service exams, were allowed to leave through it.

Yangxin dian : The Hall of Mental Cultivation, in the inner courtyard of the Forbidden City, was home to the emperor’s bedroom. Three emperors died here.

FORBIDDEN CITY TIMELINE

The Forbidden City is built on the central north-south axis, which even today remains Beijing’s central axis.

1406 – Construction on the Forbidden City begins, takes 15 years and a million workers.

1421 – Construction completed, Zhu Di, son of the Hongwu Emperor, moved the capital from Nanjing (lit. “southern capital”) back to Beijing (lit. “northern capital”) and moves in to the Forbidden City.

1664 – Rebel forces capture the Forbidden City but are soon beat out by a former Ming general and the Manchu Forces. In the ensuing battle, parts of the Forbidden City go up in flames. The Qing Dynasty succeeds the Ming Dynasty and its emperor changes the names on some of the Forbidden City’s buildings.

1860 – As the Second Opium War raged, Anglo-French forces occupied the Forbidden City.

1900 – During the violent anti-foreign Boxer Rebellion, The Eight-Nation Alliance—Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia—occupied the Forbidden City.

1912 – Puyi, the last emperor of China, abdicates the throne and the Forbidden City ceases to be Beijing’s political center. 1937—The Japanese overtake the Forbidden City during the Sino-Japanese war.

1925 – Forbidden City becomes a museum called the Palace Museum

1966 – To save it from destruction, all of the Forbidden City’s gates are closed off until 1971

1987 – Forbidden City is added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list

2000 – Starbucks opens in the Forbidden City but closes in 2007 following objections

2013 – Michelle Obama visits Forbidden City

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15 Interesting Forbidden City Facts You Didn't Know

China's most glorious palace sits in the heart of the capital city of Beijing. As one of China's largest and most well-preserved heritage sites, the Forbidden City is a must-see for all visitors to China.

It is considered to be among the world's top 5 most important palaces of all time, and is China's most popular single-site tourist attraction. Read on for the top facts pertinent to tourists.

Chinese name: 故宫 Gùgōng /goo-gong/ 'Formers Palace'

1. The Forbidden City is the world's largest imperial palace.

The Forbidden City occupies 720,000 sq m (7,750,000 sq ft), over three times larger than the Louvre Palace in France. An estimated 1 million laborers worked to complete the structure.

It has more than 90 palace quarters and courtyards, 980 buildings and over 8,728 rooms. (A common myth states that there are 9,999.5 rooms, but it is not supported by survey evidence.)

For a size comparison, the Vatican measures 440,000 square meters, and the Kremlin measures 275,000 square meters. The impressiveness of the size and scale of this ancient fortified palace is not to be missed.

You will be unable to appreciate all the palace quarters even you spend a full day there. Our insider's guide will help you to plan your trip.

2. There are European and Arabic style buildings in the Forbidden City.

In the west of the Forbidden City, there is a peculiar building with a strong Arabic style. It is named Yude Hall (浴德堂), built in the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). A Persian architect designed the Arabic-style bathroom.

Later, in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), the Yongle Emperor – Zhu Di – built the Forbidden City on the site of the Yuan Dynasty's capital city. A large number of the buildings were demolished but, fortunately, Yude Hall was preserved.

The other building is European-styled Lingzhao Xuan in Yanxi Palace. As Yanxi Palace suffered several fires, the Qing court wanted to build a fire-proof building with a pool at the bottom out of steel and stone (as most Chinese buildings were wooden, this employed some European architectural principles). However, due to the lack of funds and the revolutionary uprising at the end of the Qing Dynasty, it was stopped in the middle of construction.

3. The majestic Outer Court has no trees.

The Forbidden City is composed of a ceremonial Outer Court and a residential Inner Court. You can find many trees in the Inner Court, but no trees in the Outer Court.

There is no universal conclusion as to why there are no trees in the Outer Court. However, there are two main theories :

1. As the Outer Court was where solemn public ceremonies were held, and the emperors' "supreme godly power" and imperial dignity were displayed, no trees were allowed, as they would overshadow or disrupt the majesty of the atmosphere.

2. A lack of vegetation would give assassins nowhere to hide, and clear lines of sight for defensive purposes.

4. The Forbidden City was home to 24 Chinese emperors.

Emperor Yongle, third of the Ming Dynasty , began its construction in 1406 and the complex was completed in 1420. 14 Ming emperors held power there until the Manchus took possession in 1644, and moved the capital to Shenyang for a few months.

The Qing Dynasty soon moved the capital back to Beijing and the Forbidden City. 10 Qing emperors ruled from there until the abdication of the last emperor in 1912, at the creation of the Republic of China.

5. The Forbidden City is a masterpiece of Chinese architecture.

The Forbidden City is the world's largest collection of well-preserved medieval wooden structures.

Apart from the magnitude of the complex, the detail of the architecture is also astounding. Every detail reflects features of traditional Chinese architecture and rich Chinese culture. For example:

Except for Donghua Gate ('East Glory' Gate), all gates in the Forbidden City are decorated with a nine-by-nine array of gilded door-studs. Nine implies supremacy and eternity in Chinese culture.
Rows of auspicious animal statues, such as dragons, phoenixes, and lions, were placed along roof ridges of the important halls to invoke prosperity and good fortune.

6. The Palace Museum is one of the world's largest cultural museums.

The Forbidden City, a.k.a. the Palace Museum, is home to the best collection of Chinese historical artifacts in the world. Collections span thousands of years of Chinese history and it's considered one of the best museums in the world. It's top of China's top 10 museums list .

Visitors can see a stunning array of ancient treasures and buildings while touring the complex. Ancient porcelain and jade, gardens, courtyards, and relics of historic significance for China and the world feature prominently. For more see The Top 10 Treasures in the Forbidden City .

7. Birds cannot land on the roofs of the Forbidden City.

When visiting the Forbidden City, you may notice that no birds are sitting on the roofs. This is because the roofs have a special design.

To keep the birds from landing on the roofs, so as to retain the cleanliness and magnificence of the Forbidden City, the smart craftsmen came up with an idea: they made the slope of each roof higher and made the roof spine wider than the width between a bird's claws so that birds are unable to land on the roofs.

Also, the roofs are made of glazed tile. These tiles are very slippery, making it impossible for birds to land on them.

8. The colors of the Forbidden City are based on fengshui.

The main colors of the Forbidden City are red and yellow.

The roofs are yellow. In Chinese five elements philosophy , yellow belongs to the earth element, and its orientation in the five elements diagram represents the center, symbolizing the supremacy of the emperor (on Earth).

The walls and pillars were red. Red represents fire and fire generates earth, thus the royal family believed red pillars would impart a solid foundation and strong support.

Some buildings were built in different colors because of their usage. For example, Wenyuan Pavilion, used for collecting books, has black tiles and black walls. Because black represents water, and water can overcome fire, it was seen as a way to preserve the collections through geomancy.

9. 40% of the Forbidden City is still forbidden access.

The Palace Museum is already large enough for you to spend over a day exploring. Can you believe that's only the 60% that's currently open to the public?

Closed areas include work areas, areas that haven't been repaired, and areas used for special purposes such as storage of cultural relics.

10. The floor tiles of the Forbidden City are 'gold bricks'.

The floor tiles in the halls are very valuable. They're not made of gold, but they cost the same! Thus, they were called 'gold bricks'. It took 29 procedures to make a 'gold brick'.

According to an artisan who makes such floor tiles now, it takes a year to copy production of the bricks in the ancient way, with a yield of only 20 percent usability.

In a collectors' market, two original Forbidden City floor tiles of the Yongle period (1402–24) sold for 800,000 yuan.

11. The Forbidden City has special guards - cats.

There are now more than 100 cats living in the Forbidden City. When you visit the Forbidden City, you may come across some of them.

Why does the Forbidden City have cats? It is because many concubines kept cats in the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties.

Although the dynasties collapsed, those cats remained in the Forbidden City for generations. Therefore, some of the cats in the Forbidden City are the descendants of those royal cats.

Others are stray cats that have entered from outside the Forbidden City.

These cats will move around a fixed area, patrol every corner, and catch mice. They guard the Forbidden City with their prowess.

12. Part of the museum's former collection is in Taiwan.

In 1933, some national treasures in the Forbidden City were evacuated to preserve them from the threat of Japanese invasion. After the end of World War II, some of the collection was returned, but some is now housed in the National Palace Museum in Taipei.

13. Fire protection is crucial in the Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient wooden complexes in the world. Once a fire breaks out, there will be irreparable consequences.

The Forbidden City has 94 underground hydrants, 4,866 fire extinguishers, and 55 preplanned firefighting activities.

There is a special fire brigade dedicated to fire prevention in the Forbidden City. They check the fire equipment every day. One of their daily training exercises is to run along the city walls carrying fire hoses.

Because fire engines can't get through to most of the palaces, firemen need to remember the whole layout of the Forbidden City. In the event of a fire, they must run as fast as they can to put out the fire.

14. The Forbidden City is the China attraction with most international tourist visits.

Due to its cultural significance and unique beauty, the Forbidden City is extremely popular with both Chinese and foreign tourists. The palace museum boasts 14 million visitors annually, more than any single section of the Great Wall.

These overwhelming numbers often make for extensive lines, particularly on national holidays and weekends. The Chinese government is working hard to ensure the constant flow of visitors is well-regulated, and to prevent harm to the ancient buildings by the large crowds.

The palace is considered a must-see for everyone lucky enough to visit Beijing.

15. A Forbidden City trip is not complete without a visit to Jingshan Park.

If you want to see how large the Forbidden City is, pay a visit to nearby Jingshan Park, where you can enjoy a hilltop view of the whole complex.

Jingshan Park is a few minutes' walk from the Forbidden City exit - a perfect end for your tour.

Visit the Forbidden City with Local Experts

The Forbidden City is a complex attraction, rich in history and culture. It is advisable to travel with a knowledgeable guide, who can bring the background to life and help you to avoid the crowds.

Here are two recommended itineraries, including the Forbidden City, for your inspiration:

One-Day Beijing Highlights Private Tour : Specially designed to be flexible, it's ideal for those who are short on time.
Two-Day Beijing Boutique Tour : Get deep touch with this amazing city – Beijing.

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10 Frequently Asked Questions about Forbidden City – Beijing + The Answers

Home » 10 Frequently Asked Questions about Forbidden City – Beijing + The Answers

Questions about Forbidden City – Beijing

Are you curious about the Forbidden City in Beijing? Do you have questions about its history, architecture, and culture? If so, you’re in luck! This blog post will answer the top 10 most frequently asked questions about the Forbidden City in Beijing, one of the most renowned historical sites in China.

Read on to learn more about this amazing place, and to get the answers to your burning questions.

✅ Make sure you’ll see the entire collection in Framey App , including addresses, opening hours, and contact information!

Table of Contents

1. How do I get around Forbidden City?

How to get around in Beijing – transportation

The Forbidden City is located in the heart of Beijing, so getting it is relatively easy. The easiest way to get around the Forbidden City is by foot or bike. Walking around the complex is a great way to explore the area and discover its history and architecture. You can also rent bikes from nearby shops to make your journey easier. If you’d prefer public transport, you can take bus route 13 and get off at Tiananmen West Station, which is right in front of the Forbidden City. Alternatively, you can take the subway and get off at Tiananmen East Station, which is just a short walk away.

2. What can I see in the Forbidden City? – Questions about Forbidden City – Beijing

The Hall of Supreme Harmony – the largest hall within the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, located in Beijing, China, is a sprawling palace complex that was home to emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Today, it is a World Heritage Site and is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world.

The Forbidden City has an abundance of amazing sights to offer visitors, from awe-inspiring architectural structures and captivating artwork to historical artifacts and lush gardens.

The most iconic building within the Forbidden City is the Hall of Supreme Harmony , a stunning three-tiered structure located at the center of the palace complex. Other notable facilities include the Hall of Central Harmony , the Hall of Preserving Harmony , the Palace of Heavenly Purity , and the Imperial Garden .

In addition to these impressive structures, the Forbidden City also features a large number of stunning works of art, including jade carvings, ceramics, calligraphy scrolls, murals, and more .

For those looking for a more historical experience, there are several artifacts on display throughout the Forbidden City . These include ancient weapons, furniture, ornaments, and even jewelry belonging to previous emperors. Furthermore, the Forbidden City houses some beautiful gardens, including the Garden of Abundant Peace and the Garden of Everlasting Spring .

In short, the Forbidden City offers a plethora of wonders that are sure to mesmerize and impress all who visit.

With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder that the Forbidden City remains one of Beijing’s most popular tourist destinations.

3. What to visit in Forbidden City?

Best attractions in Beijing

The Forbidden City is an amazing place with a lot to explore, so it can be hard to know where to start. Luckily, there are some must-see spots in the Forbidden City that you should check out while you’re there.

First and foremost, the palace itself should not be missed. It’s filled with grand halls, intricate artwork, and interesting stories about the past of Beijing. Make sure you take some time to admire the palace and take in all the stunning details.

The Forbidden City also boasts many impressive gardens and courtyards. These are wonderful places to relax and explore the area. There are several sites of interest, including some ancient Chinese artifacts, beautiful trees and plants, and even traditional Chinese architecture.

Finally, there are also some impressive palaces and pavilions to visit. These include the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony . They’re all located in the same area, so you can easily move from one to the other without having to go too far.

When visiting the Forbidden City, make sure you take your time and enjoy all of its beauty. This is an incredibly special place and should be savored as much as possible.

4. Why is the Forbidden City closed at night? – Questions about Forbidden City – Beijing

Forbidden City at night

The Forbidden City, a World Heritage Site located in Beijing, China, is closed at night for security reasons. The palace complex has been closed to visitors after sunset since the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). The main reason for the closure is to protect the artifacts and structures inside the palace from potential damage due to nighttime visitors. Additionally, the Forbidden City is equipped with a state-of-the-art security system and guards patrol the area throughout the night.

Since its opening to the public in 1949, the Forbidden City has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in China, with an estimated 15 million visitors each year. Therefore, it is essential to protect the Forbidden City from over-tourism and provide visitors with a safe environment during their visit. To do this, the Chinese government has implemented some policies including the night closure of the palace.

5. What are some good shopping options in Forbidden City?

Shopping in the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City is home to many amazing shopping opportunities, from souvenir stores to authentic traditional Chinese goods. For a unique and authentic shopping experience, head to Qianmen Snack Street for some delicious treats and unique items. There are also many small shops within the Forbidden City itself where visitors can purchase traditional items such as pottery, jade, jewelry, artwork, and more. Additionally, several larger stores in the Forbidden City feature more modern products such as clothing, electronics, and books. No matter what type of items you’re looking for, you’re sure to find something unique and special at the Forbidden City!

6. How much does it cost to go to Forbidden City? – Questions about Forbidden City – Beijing

Beijing travel costs

Visiting the Forbidden City in Beijing can be quite affordable. Admission tickets range from 45 to 65 Yuan (7-10 US dollars), depending on the season. If you are an international student, senior citizen, or disabled person, you can get a discounted ticket. Additionally, there are group tickets available at a lower price.

If you’d like to explore the Forbidden City on a guided tour, you can also book a private tour with one of the many licensed tour operators in Beijing. These tours typically cost between 250-400 Yuan (40-60 US dollars) for a 4-hour tour.

Finally, if you would like to see the Forbidden City from a different perspective, you can take a cable car ride from the nearby Jingshan Park for 15 Yuan (2 US dollars). This will take you across the palace walls and give you a stunning view of the city.

No matter what your budget is, visiting the Forbidden City is sure to be an unforgettable experience. With so much to explore and experience, the Forbidden City is one of Beijing’s top attractions.

7. What is the best time to visit the Forbidden City?

Beijing – Best time to visit

The Forbidden City is open all year round, so visitors can plan their trip depending on their schedule and personal preference. However, the best time to visit the Forbidden City is from April to October. The weather during this period is mild, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 28°C. April to October also offers the most daylight, allowing for the most sightseeing opportunities. For those who want to avoid the hot summer months, May and September are the ideal months to visit as the weather is comfortable and there are fewer crowds than in the peak months of July and August. During the winter months of November to March, visitors should be aware that it gets colder and there will be fewer hours of daylight for sightseeing. Although, visitors can still enjoy the Forbidden City’s unique architecture and history even during these cooler months.

8. Is Forbidden City safe? – Questions about Forbidden City – Beijing

How safe is Beijing?

Yes, Forbidden City is a safe place to visit. The Forbidden City is one of the most popular tourist attractions in China and is heavily monitored by security guards. It is very rare for any crimes to be reported, and the staff is always on alert. Visitors should exercise caution when entering and leaving the city, but overall it is a very secure environment. During the day, there are plenty of people around the city, and the security staff can always be seen patrolling the area. At night, the streets are much quieter but still well-lit and guarded.

9. What should I pack for a trip to Forbidden City?

What to pack for Beijing

When visiting the Forbidden City, it is important to make sure you have everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable experience. The essentials include comfortable clothes, comfortable walking shoes, a hat or cap, sunscreen, water, and snacks. Additionally, make sure you have a map of the area, as it can be difficult to find your way around. It is also recommended that you bring a camera to capture the beautiful sights of the palace. Additionally, bring cash, as many shops and vendors in the Forbidden City accept only cash. Finally, make sure to bring your passport or other identification in case you are stopped by security.

10. Can tourists visit the entire Forbidden City? – Questions about Forbidden City – Beijing

Rules for visiting the Forbidden City

Yes, tourists can visit the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City is open to the public and welcomes thousands of visitors each year. To enter the Forbidden City, you must buy tickets at the entrance gates. Tourists must follow all rules while inside the grounds and pay attention to signs and other warnings. Visitors should also be aware that photography is not allowed in certain areas. Additionally, some parts of the Forbidden City may be closed off due to restoration work. Tourists can also purchase a guided tour which allows them to access more of the attractions in the Forbidden City. Tours are offered in both English and Chinese.

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COMMENTS

How to Visit the Forbidden City
Location: 4 Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China. Meridian Gate is the mainly enterance for visitors. There are three ways to get to the Forbidden City: By subway: Take Subway Line 1 and get off at Tiananmen West (Exit B) or Tiananmen East Station (Exit B). By bus: Take bus 2, 82, or 120 and get off at Tiananmen East Stop.
The Ultimate Guide to Visiting The Forbidden City
Forbidden city map + best travel routes (From Local guide suggestion) 1 Meridian Gate （午门）. The Meridian Gate, the main entrance of the Forbidden City in Beijing, is located on the north-south axis of the Forbidden City. You can always go up to the Gate to see a bird ' s-eye view of the Forbidden City before you go deep inside.
How to Visit the Forbidden City
It is about 7 miles (11km) to the north of the imperial palace. You can take sightseeing bus line 3 from the palace to East Beichen Road (Bird's Nest) Station. :) 6 main halls along the central axis and 2 galleries are must-see inside the Forbidden City. You can visit it in 2 hours, half-day or one day in-depth.
How to Visit Forbidden City (Tips, Photos & Map)
On the day of visit, you can be admitted Forbidden City directly with your ID card or the original household register at any ticket gate. There is no need to exchange paper tickets. People who buy tickets together on the Internet must check in at the same time and must not check in separately. April 1st - October 31 ( 8:30 - 17:00 ) ...
Forbidden City-The Palace Museum
Forbidden City-The Palace Museum. Consisting of more than 9,000 rooms and spread over 250 acres, this huge palace complex was built in the 15th century and later extensively renovated and restored during the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century. Suggest edits to improve what we show. All you need to step foot in the door.
Beijing's Forbidden City: The Complete Guide
The Forbidden City was very much tied to the Chinese conceptions of Heaven, divinely endowed leaders, and extreme respect. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 14 million people visit it a year, and luckily, you can enter sans royal invitation.
Forbidden City
Despite its age, most of the buildings you see are post-18th-century Qing dynasty constructions and renovations - fire was a constant hazard, hence the enormous brass water vats everywhere. Planning Your Visit. Although you can explore the Forbidden City in a few hours, a full day will keep you occupied and the enthusiast will make several trips.
Forbidden City, China (Palace Museum)
You can visit the park and climb up the Jingshan Mountain to get a panoramic view of the Forbidden City. If you want to leave directly from here, there are bus lines 58, 101, 103, 109, 124, 128, Sightseeing Bus Lines 1, 2 and 3 available at Gugong (Forbidden City) Station, and bus lines 58, 111, 124 and Sightseeing Bus Line 3 at Jingshan East ...
Visiting The Forbidden City In Beijing: The Ultimate Top 11 Tips For A
Visiting The Forbidden City - also known as The Palace Museum, is a must-see when in Beijing, and is often high on the list of places to see on many Asia travel bucket lists.. Located in the centre of Beijing, the impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex, spanning 250 acres with almost 1,000 buildings.
Ultimate Guide to the Forbidden City: Everything you need to know
While most of the attractions within the Forbidden City are included in the general admission ticket, there are two additional paid museums that you can visit: Palace Museum Treasure Gallery: Located in the northeastern section of the Forbidden City, the Palace Museum Treasure Gallery showcases a stunning collection of imperial treasures ...
Best Things to See in Beijing's Forbidden City
The best time to visit the Forbidden City. Beijing's Forbidden City sees millions of tourists coming from all over China and abroad every year. Avoiding crowds is no easy task, but because the complex covers 178 acres of ground, you will definitely be able to find a quiet spot. The high season is from the beginning of April to the end of ...
How to Visit the Forbidden City
The Forbidden City isn't so forbidden anymore. Seeing close to 40,000 people on average per diem, it's easy to get lost in the multitudes. However, a crafty visitor can see the city without getting pushed around by noisy, inconsiderate tourists by following a few guidelines. Show Up Early. Arrive before the complex opens and queue in the front.
Forbidden City
The Forbidden City (Chinese: 紫禁城; pinyin: Zǐjìnchéng) is a palace complex in Dongcheng District, Beijing, China, at the center of the Imperial City of Beijing.It is surrounded by numerous opulent imperial gardens and temples including the 22 ha (54-acre) Zhongshan Park, the sacrificial Imperial Ancestral Temple, the 69 ha (171-acre) Beihai Park, and the 23 ha (57-acre) Jingshan Park.
The Forbidden City, Beijing: The Complete 2023 Guide
💛12 Hidden Attractions Around the Forbidden City. A lot of people tend to visit Beijing and prioritize popular tourist attractions such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the National Museum. However, there are numerous hidden treasure attractions located near the Forbidden City that not many people know about.
Forbidden City Travel Tips & Tours, Beijing
If you have a half day or full day to spend exploring the Forbidden City, you can find recommended tour routes and maps at the Palace Museum website. If you want to beat the crowds, avoid going to the Forbidden City on weekends and Chinese Holidays, and plan your visit for the early morning or the afternoon.
What You Need to Know About the Forbidden City
Address. 4 Jing Shan Qian Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100009. Phone +86 400 950 1925. Web Visit website. Named one of China's UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites in 1987, the Forbidden City is probably China's most well-known museum. Its famous red walls housed Ming and Qing emperors for nearly 500 years.
How to Book Forbidden City Tickets from Official Website 2024
You can arrange your visit based on the expected duration of your tour, such as 2-hour, half-day, and full-day tour recommendations. We recommend spending half a day exploring the Forbidden City, as this allows for a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of its history and culture, while maintaining an enjoynable pace.
How to Visit the Forbidden City in Beijing (2024)
The Forbidden City is located off of the Red Line 1 on Beijing's highly effective metro system. Use the Tiananmen East or West stop on the metro line (Tian'anmenxi or Tian'anmendong), once you exit, you can't miss the entrance.
How to Tour the Forbidden City
For 500 years, the Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace and home to 24 emperors; it takes its English name from the fact that no one outside of the imperial household could visit without permission from the emperor. In Chinese, it's most commonly called gugong, meaning "former palace." The Forbidden City has 17 palaces, five halls and, legend has it, 9,999.5 rooms.
Half-Day In-depth Beijing Forbidden City Heritage Discovery
Walk to the entrance of the Forbidden City and start your visit to the Forbidden City. Your expert guide will show you around the Forbidden City and tell you a lot of interesting stories, revealing the true Chinese imperial life and history. With more than 600 years of history, 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties lived in the Forbidden ...
15 Interesting Forbidden City Facts You Didn't Know
If you want to see how large the Forbidden City is, pay a visit to nearby Jingshan Park, where you can enjoy a hilltop view of the whole complex. Jingshan Park is a few minutes' walk from the Forbidden City exit - a perfect end for your tour. Visit the Forbidden City with Local Experts
10 Frequently Asked Questions about Forbidden City
Beijing - Best time to visit. The Forbidden City is open all year round, so visitors can plan their trip depending on their schedule and personal preference. However, the best time to visit the Forbidden City is from April to October. The weather during this period is mild, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 28°C.

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Top 10 Tips for Exploring The Forbidden City in Beijing

2. You Must Bring Your Passport!

3. The Forbidden City Is Closed On Mondays!

4. Avoid Weekends & Arrive First Thing In The Morning Or At The End Of The Day

5. Entrance: Southern Gate, Exit: Northern Gate!

6. Do Not Buy Entrance Tickets From Street Vendors

7. Getting to the Forbidden City

8. Bring Sun Cream & Water!

9. Wear Comfy Shoes – There’s A Lot Of Walking!

10. Best Photo Spots:

11. Head To Nearby Jingshan Park Afterwards For Great Views Of The Forbidden City

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Your Ultimate Guide To The Forbidden City: Everything You Need To Know

Here are two ways to book The Forbidden City tickets:

Things You Need To Know About Visiting The Forbidden City:

Tips For The Security Check At The Forbidden City:

What Can You Do After Visiting The Forbidden City:

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Table of Contents

☀️Best Time to Visit the Forbidden City

💂🏻‍♂️A Guide is Essential for Visiting the Forbidden City

Layout of the Forbidden City

🚗 How to Get to the Forbidden City

🌟 Recommended Palaces to Explore within the Forbidden City

Hall of Martial Valor (Chinese name:武英殿)

Hall of Literary Glory (Chinese name:文华殿)

Gate of Supreme Harmony(Chinese name:太和门)

Three Great Halls of the Outer Court

Hall of Central Harmony(Chinese name:中和殿)

Hall of Preserved Harmony (Chinese name:保和殿)

Three Great Halls of the Inner Court

Hall of Union(Chinese name:交泰殿)

Palace of Earthly Tranquility(Chinese name:坤宁宫)

Grand Council(Chinese name:军机处)