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Experience the best of The Palace Museum

Loved by over 55 million guests worldwide
Slide 1 of 10, Grand red gates framing the Palace Museum entrance in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China.
Grand red gates framing the Palace Museum entrance in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China.
Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City in Beijing with birds flying overhead.
Palace Museum in Beijing with red walls, yellow-tiled roofs, and white marble balustrade.
Bronze guardian lion statue at the Gate of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden City, Beijing, China.
Meridian Gate, main entrance to the Forbidden City, Beijing, under a vibrant sky.
Elevated view of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, with crowds and traditional architecture.
Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City with reflection in moat, Beijing, China.
Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, Beijing, under a vibrant sky.
Forbidden City in Beijing viewed from Jingshan Park at sunset.
Forbidden City illuminated at night, viewed from Jingshan Park, Beijing, China.

Forbidden City Private Guided Tour with Treasure Gallery + Clock Gallery Access

Explore at your pace

  • Delve into Beijing's Forbidden City with a tailored route that unlocks imperial halls plus the Treasure and Clock Galleries in one visit.

  • Meet your Mandarin or English-speaking guide by Meridian Gate, use your tickets to enter together, then collect earphones for guided commentary.

  • Share the experience with your private group of up to 5 as your guide leads a 3 to 3.5 hour in-depth route through courtyards and inner palaces.

  • Walk through the Gate and Hall of Supreme Harmony, continue via the Central Harmony Hall and Yanxi, then finish your visit in the Imperial Garden.

More details

  • Delve into Beijing's Forbidden City with a tailored route that unlocks imperial halls plus the Treasure and Clock Galleries in one visit.

  • Meet your Mandarin or English-speaking guide by Meridian Gate, use your tickets to enter together, then collect earphones for guided commentary.

  • Share the experience with your private group of up to 5 as your guide leads a 3 to 3.5 hour in-depth route through courtyards and inner palaces.

  • Walk through the Gate and Hall of Supreme Harmony, continue via the Central Harmony Hall and Yanxi, then finish your visit in the Imperial Garden.

from
CNY 1,357.96
Slide 1 of 10, Palace Museum in Beijing with red walls, yellow-tiled roofs, and white marble balustrade.
Palace Museum in Beijing with red walls, yellow-tiled roofs, and white marble balustrade.
Bronze guardian lion statue at the Gate of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden City, Beijing, China.
Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City with reflection in moat, Beijing, China.
Elevated view of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, looking south from Jingshan Park.
Aerial view of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China.
Meridian Gate, main entrance to the Forbidden City, Beijing, China, under a clear blue sky.
Grand red gates framing the Palace Museum entrance in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China.
Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City in Beijing with birds flying overhead.
Traditional building in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China, with ornate roof and vibrant colors.
Forbidden City illuminated at night, viewed from Jingshan Park, Beijing, China.

Forbidden City Small-Group Guided Tour (Up to 15)

3 hrs 30 mins

  • Explore the Forbidden City in a small-group of about 15 guests, with a Mandarin and English-speaking guide bringing palaces and relics alive.

  • Check in at the meeting point to receive your Forbidden City ticket, then enter via Meridian Gate and follow the south to north visitor route.

  • Walk past the Gate of Supreme Harmony and into the three Harmony halls, with earphones giving clear live commentary as you move through these spaces.

  • Continue through Yanxi and Chengqian palaces and the Hall of Union, then visit the Clock and Treasure galleries before ending in the Imperial Garden.

  • Upgrade your visit by adding access to the inner Treasure Hall, or to both Treasure Hall and Clock Hall, for more time exploring these chambers.

More details

  • Explore the Forbidden City in a small-group of about 15 guests, with a Mandarin and English-speaking guide bringing palaces and relics alive.

  • Check in at the meeting point to receive your Forbidden City ticket, then enter via Meridian Gate and follow the south to north visitor route.

  • Walk past the Gate of Supreme Harmony and into the three Harmony halls, with earphones giving clear live commentary as you move through these spaces.

  • Continue through Yanxi and Chengqian palaces and the Hall of Union, then visit the Clock and Treasure galleries before ending in the Imperial Garden.

  • Upgrade your visit by adding access to the inner Treasure Hall, or to both Treasure Hall and Clock Hall, for more time exploring these chambers.

from
CNY 81.15
Slide 1 of 10, Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, Beijing, under a vibrant sky.
Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, Beijing, under a vibrant sky.
Palace Museum in Beijing with red walls, yellow-tiled roofs, and white marble balustrade.
Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City in Beijing with birds flying overhead.
Bronze guardian lion statue at the Gate of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden City, Beijing, China.
Elevated view of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, with crowds and traditional architecture.
Forbidden City in Beijing viewed from Jingshan Park at sunset.
Grand red gates framing the Palace Museum entrance in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China.
Meridian Gate, main entrance to the Forbidden City, Beijing, under a vibrant sky.
Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City with reflection in moat, Beijing, China.
Forbidden City illuminated at night, viewed from Jingshan Park, Beijing, China.

Forbidden City Entry Tickets

Explore at your pace

  • Explore the Forbidden City at your own pace inside the world's largest ancient wooden palace complex, with time to linger in its imperial spaces.

  • On your selected date, enter via Meridian Gate by showing your passport, then follow the south to north route through this vast site.

  • Your ticket covers all main halls plus the Treasure Gallery in the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, six air-conditioned rooms with 400 treasures.

  • Admire jade carvings, enamelware, gold vessels, gem-studded phoenix crowns, and embroidered robes that once belonged to Qing imperial courts.

  • Upgrade your ticket with Clock Gallery access to see 82 Qing-era timepieces, from Chinese astronomical clocks to European imports with automata.

  • Or choose a variant that adds access to selected open courtyards, expanding your visit with outdoor palace spaces to wander and take photos.

More details

  • Explore the Forbidden City at your own pace inside the world's largest ancient wooden palace complex, with time to linger in its imperial spaces.

  • On your selected date, enter via Meridian Gate by showing your passport, then follow the south to north route through this vast site.

  • Your ticket covers all main halls plus the Treasure Gallery in the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, six air-conditioned rooms with 400 treasures.

  • Admire jade carvings, enamelware, gold vessels, gem-studded phoenix crowns, and embroidered robes that once belonged to Qing imperial courts.

  • Upgrade your ticket with Clock Gallery access to see 82 Qing-era timepieces, from Chinese astronomical clocks to European imports with automata.

  • Or choose a variant that adds access to selected open courtyards, expanding your visit with outdoor palace spaces to wander and take photos.

from
CNY 113
Slide 1 of 10, Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City in Beijing with birds flying overhead.
Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City in Beijing with birds flying overhead.
Traditional building in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China, with ornate roof and vibrant colors.
Bronze guardian lion statue at the Gate of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden City, Beijing, China.
Palace Museum in Beijing with red walls, yellow-tiled roofs, and white marble balustrade.
Grand red gates framing the Palace Museum entrance in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China.
Elevated view of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, looking south from Jingshan Park.
Meridian Gate, main entrance to the Forbidden City, Beijing, China, under a clear blue sky.
Aerial view of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China.
Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City with reflection in moat, Beijing, China.
Forbidden City illuminated at night, viewed from Jingshan Park, Beijing, China.

Forbidden City Large-Group Guided Tour

3 hrs 30 mins

  • Discover Beijing's Forbidden City on a structured route through grand courtyards and palaces, sharing stories and insights with fellow travelers.

  • Arrive at the south entrance, meet your guide for ticket collection, then join the group as you set off along the central palace route.

  • Explore from Meridian Gate through the Halls of Harmony to the Imperial Garden, following Mandarin and English commentary through your earphones.

  • Walk deep into side palaces like Yanxi, Jingren, Chengqian and Chuxiu, passing the Nine-Dragon Wall and throne halls that framed imperial life.

  • Upgrade to visit the Treasure gallery, giving you extra time inside inner gallery spaces as your guide highlights selected stops along the route.

  • Upgrade further to include both Treasure and Clock galleries, with your guide leading walk-through visits inside these additional inner gallery areas.

More details

  • Discover Beijing's Forbidden City on a structured route through grand courtyards and palaces, sharing stories and insights with fellow travelers.

  • Arrive at the south entrance, meet your guide for ticket collection, then join the group as you set off along the central palace route.

  • Explore from Meridian Gate through the Halls of Harmony to the Imperial Garden, following Mandarin and English commentary through your earphones.

  • Walk deep into side palaces like Yanxi, Jingren, Chengqian and Chuxiu, passing the Nine-Dragon Wall and throne halls that framed imperial life.

  • Upgrade to visit the Treasure gallery, giving you extra time inside inner gallery spaces as your guide highlights selected stops along the route.

  • Upgrade further to include both Treasure and Clock galleries, with your guide leading walk-through visits inside these additional inner gallery areas.

from
CNY 69

Pro tips to help you make a pick

Reserve your visit in advance: The Palace Museum does not sell standard admission tickets on the day of your visit, and daily attendance is limited, so arrange your reservation before arriving.

Enter from the south: The Meridian Gate is the visitor entrance, while the Gate of Divine Prowess and East Prosperity Gate serve as exits. Plan your route accordingly.

Start early: Arriving close to opening time gives you more time to explore the enormous complex before the busiest part of the day.

Allow plenty of walking time: The Forbidden City is vast, with large courtyards, long paths, stairs and uneven surfaces, so comfortable shoes are essential.

Check the official notices: Individual buildings or galleries can temporarily close for conservation work, so check the Palace Museum's latest announcements before visiting.

Use the official digital map: The Palace Museum's visitor services include recommended routes, accessibility routes, audio guides and information about facilities, exhibitions and dining.

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About Forbidden City

The Forbidden City brings together palace architecture, imperial history, gardens and an extraordinary collection of Chinese cultural treasures. From the ceremonial halls of the Outer Court to the residential palaces of the Inner Court, its vast grounds reveal how emperors governed, lived and conducted rituals. A visit offers a deeper look at the traditions and craftsmanship of Ming and Qing China.

Address4 Jing Shan Qian Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100009
Also known asForbidden City
Year opened1420
Founded byKuai Xiang
Expected wait time - Standard30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)
Unesco status1987

Did you know?

Construction of the Forbidden City began in 1406 under the Ming emperor Zhu Di and was completed in 1420.

The complex measures approximately 961 meters north to south and 753 meters east to west, covering around 720,000 square meters.

The palace is enclosed by a roughly 10-meter-high wall and a moat about 52 meters wide.

The Forbidden City witnessed the enthronement of 14 Ming emperors and 10 Qing emperors during more than five centuries as an imperial palace.

The Palace Museum was established in 1925 after the end of imperial rule, transforming the former palace from an imperial residence into a public cultural institution.

Why visit Forbidden City?

Walk through the center of imperial China

For centuries, the Forbidden City was the center of state power and imperial family life under the Ming and Qing dynasties. Its buildings and carefully ordered courtyards offer a fascinating glimpse into the political and ceremonial world of imperial China.

See China's grandest imperial architecture

The complex follows a highly structured architectural hierarchy, with monumental gates, courtyards, halls and palace buildings arranged along a central north-south axis. The Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony and Hall of Preserving Harmony form its celebrated Three Great Halls.

Explore an enormous palace complex

The Forbidden City stretches about 961 meters from north to south and 753 meters from east to west, enclosed by high walls and a broad moat. Its scale becomes especially striking as you move from one enormous courtyard to the next.

Discover the contrast between court and private life

The Outer Court was associated with major state ceremonies, while the Inner Court contained the principal imperial residential and ceremonial spaces. Exploring both areas reveals how governance and palace life were carefully separated within the complex.

Experience a UNESCO World Heritage landmark

The Forbidden City forms part of the Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties World Heritage property, recognized for its exceptional preservation, architectural achievements and testimony to Chinese civilization during the Ming and Qing periods.

Plan your visit

Meridian Gate — South Entrance

The Meridian Gate is the Palace Museum's sole visitor entrance. It stands at the southern end of the Forbidden City and forms the starting point for the museum's south-to-north visitor route. Visitors should have the original identification document used for their reservation available for inspection.

Gate of Divine Prowess — North Exit

The Gate of Divine Prowess is the principal northern exit. It faces Jingshan Park and is used by visitors leaving the Palace Museum after completing the south-to-north route.

East Prosperity Gate — East Exit

The East Prosperity Gate can also be used as an exit. It provides an alternative way to leave the complex after exploring the palace grounds.

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