How to Visit Forbidden City in Beijing
The Forbidden City is a palace complex in the center of Beijing, renowned as the largest imperial palace in the world. A visit to the Palace Museum can be a wondrous experience or a frustrating one due to its vast scale. Follow our tips and advice to enhance your trip, or consider contacting our travel advisors for a tailor-made visit to Beijing.
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- What to See in the Forbidden City
- Recommended Palace Tour Routes
- Best Times to Visit and Ways to Avoid Crowds
- Opening Hours and Tickets Booking
- How to Get to the Forbidden City
- Expertly Guided or Self-Guided?
- Practical Travel Tips
What to See in the Forbidden City
The Forbidden City consists of 980 buildings and more than 8,700 rooms, housing extensive collections of relics. Key highlights include the main halls, priceless collections, and intriguing spots rich with legends and anecdotes.
Popular Halls and Recommendations
The six halls along the central axis are the most popular and important. While many tours focus solely on these areas, we recommend exploring some lesser-visited halls to gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture while avoiding crowds:
- Hall of Mental Cultivation (Yangxin Dian): The emperor’s bedchamber and office.
- Palace of Compassion and Tranquility (Cining Gong): Home to the emperor’s wives.
- Hall of Literary Profundity (Wenyuan Ge): The royal library with a unique green roof.
- Palace of Prolonging Happiness (Yanxi Gong): Also known as the “Crystal Palace,” it features Western architectural elements.
Exhibitions
With over a million works of art, the Palace Museum’s exhibitions offer a glimpse into the luxurious lives of emperors. Main exhibitions include:
- Clocks Gallery in the Hall of Ancestral Offerings (Fengxian Dian)
- Treasures Gallery in the Palace of Tranquil Longevity (Ningshou Gong)
- Paintings and Calligraphy Gallery in the Hall of Military Eminence (Wuying Dian)
- Porcelain and Ceramics Gallery in the Hall of Literary Glory (Wenhua Dian)
- Bronzeware Gallery in the Palace of Celestial Favor (Chengqian Dian)
A Hilltop View
For a stunning overview of the Forbidden City, visit Jingshan Park. This elevated vantage point allows you to appreciate the scale and fengshui design of the complex.
Recommended Palace Tour Routes
The Standard Tour Route
A quick 2-hour tour through the central axis showcases the six main halls and museum displays, but expect large crowds.
A Refreshing Half-Day Itinerary
For a more relaxed experience, consider a half-day itinerary that includes must-see palaces and hidden side halls. This allows you to appreciate the palace’s history and culture away from the hustle and bustle.
The Best Times to Visit and Ways to Avoid Crowds
The Forbidden City is most crowded from April to October. The ideal time to visit is mid-October to November when temperatures are comfortable, and crowds are thinner.
Tips to Avoid Crowds:
- Arrive at opening time (8:30 AM) or after 2 PM.
- Avoid weekends and Chinese public holidays.
- Consider traveling with us to skip entrance lines.
Opening Hours and Tickets Booking
The Forbidden City is closed every Monday (except public holidays) and has a daily visitor limit of 80,000. Tickets must be purchased online in advance, as they are often sold out.
| Date | Opening Hours | Entry Times |
|---|---|---|
| April 1 – October 31 | 08:30-17:00 | Morning: 08:30-13:10; Afternoon: 13:00-16:10 |
| November 1 – March 31 | 08:30-16:30 | Morning: 08:30-13:10; Afternoon: 13:00-15:40 |
How to Get to the Forbidden City
Location
4 Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
Transportation Options:
- By Subway: Line 1 to Tiananmen West (Exit B) or Tiananmen East (Exit B).
- By Bus: Lines 2, 82, or 120 to Tiananmen East Stop.
- By Taxi: Show “请带我去故宫” (Please take me to the Forbidden City).
From Airports
- Beijing Capital International Airport: Airport Express – Subway Line 10 – Line 1.
- Beijing Daxing International Airport: Daxing Airport Express – Subway Line 10 – Line 1.
Expertly Guided or Self-Guided?
A knowledgeable guide can enhance your experience by sharing stories and insights about the imperial halls. Options include renting an audio guide, hiring a guide at the museum, or opting for a private tour.
Recommended Tours
- 4-Day Emperor’s Tour of Beijing
- 1-Day Beijing Highlight Tour
Practical Travel Tips
- Arrange tickets in advance; they often sell out during peak season.
- Consider a private tour to save time and skip lines.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the season.
- Bring your passport for ticket booking and security checks.
- Do some background reading before your visit.
- For summer visits, pack sun protection.
- Food options inside the museum are limited; consider bringing snacks.
- Utilize the free luggage storage service at the entrance and exit.
- Wheelchair rentals are available but limited; check in advance.
- The museum is designed to be accessible for disabled visitors.
Discover More Hidden Secrets of the Forbidden City
For a truly enriching experience, consider a private tour with an expert guide who knows the ins and outs of the Forbidden City. Our local guides are highly experienced and can help make your visit informative and enjoyable.
