Forbidden City Tickets

Introduction to the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, also known as "Zijincheng", is a famous historical landmark in China, one of China's most famous cultural buildings, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To better help you visit smoothly, we first answer six simple questions about the history behind.

History & Facts: The 5Ws of the Forbidden City

Who It Belongs To

It was built for Zhu Di, the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties. Today, it is managed by the Palace Museum and welcomes many visitors from all over the world.

What Is The Forbidden City?

It is a large complex with 980 buildings, covering 720,000 square metres, making it the largest and best-preserved ancient imperial palace in the world. It is divided into two parts: the Outer Court (where emperors held ceremonies and governed the country) and the Inner Court (where the imperial family lived). Now it is a museum, housing more than 1.8 million cultural relics.

When Was The Forbidden City Built?

Construction began in 1406 and was completed in 1420. It served as the imperial palace until 1912. In 1925, it became the Palace Museum and opened to the public. It is open all year round, but its opening hours are different in peak and off-peak seasons.

Where Is The Forbidden City?

It is located at No. 4 Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng District, in the centre of Beijing. It is adjacent to Tiananmen Square to the south and Jingshan Park to the north. There are convenient transportation, restaurants and hotels around it.

Why Visit The Forbidden City?

It is a symbol of ancient Chinese imperial power and culture, showing China's best traditional architecture and the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient Chinese artisans. Visiting it can help us understand imperial history, appreciate one of the masterpieces of ancient craftsmanship, and it is a must-visit place for history lovers and one of the best places to learn about Chinese history.

How to Visit The Forbidden City?

In the past, ordinary people could not enter; only emperors and officials were allowed to enter here. But now, we only need to book Forbidden City tickets online in advance to enter. However, we can only enter through the Meridian Gate, because it is the only entrance, and we can only visit on foot—there are no sightseeing cars inside, which protects the cultural relics and buildings to a certain extent. We can reserve 3-4 hours for the visit, or join a professional English guided tour to learn more.

Forbidden City Opening Hours & Closure Rules

Now, let's learn about the opening hours to better arrange visiting times.

It is closed every Monday (except public holidays), and its opening hours change with the seasons:

• Peak Season (April 1 – October 31): 8:30-17:00, last entry at 16:00, closing starts at 16:30.
• Off-Peak Season (November 1 – March 31): 8:30-16:30, last entry at 15:30, closing starts at 16:00.
• It may close temporarily due to bad weather or special events; please check the official website for the latest updates.
• Everyone must check the time carefully. Don't miss or arrange the wrong time for your visit, to avoid any disappointment.

Forbidden City Peak Visitor Times & Crowd-Avoidance Tips

The Forbidden City is very popular. Everyone comes to see this famous building, including people from different countries around the world and cities across China. This is the capital, and the Forbidden City is a must-see when coming to the capital. I believe many foreigners also choose to come to China because of the Forbidden City, so read my guide to avoid the peak crowds.

• Daily Peak: 9:00-11:00; the best time to visit is after 14:00.
• Busy Seasons: Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October); it is very crowded in summer because it is the domestic summer vacation and students are all on holiday; there are the fewest visitors in winter because the weather in Beijing is relatively cold.
• Avoid visiting during the Spring Festival, Labor Day and National Day. During these major holidays, all walks of life are on holiday, and everyone travels on the same day. China has a large population, so every place is very crowded during holidays. If you have to go during a holiday, I suggest arriving promptly at 8:30, because there are fewer people just after opening.
• Tips: Try to book tickets for the afternoon, or visit on weekdays (Tuesday to Thursday). The experience is better on weekdays—fewer people allow you to pay more attention to more details in the Forbidden City. If it is crowded, you can also choose less popular areas.

Forbidden City Ticket Information & Transportation

It is important to note that there are no on-site tickets nor same-day tickets. Forbidden City Tickets must be booked 7 days in advance online. The Forbidden City is very popular, so even booking 7 days in advance may not guarantee you a ticket. Everyone should make good plans before coming to Beijing to avoid the regret of not being able to visit the Forbidden City after arriving in Beijing. If you accumulate 3 no-shows within 180 days, you will be banned from booking tickets for the next 60 days.

Admission Discounts & Free Admissions

Transportation

The Forbidden City has no dedicated parking lot, so traveling by car is very difficult. Some surrounding parking lots are quite far and very expensive. If not necessary, it is recommended to take public transportation. Public transportation in downtown Beijing is very developed and convenient.

• Subway is the first choice, convenient and cheap. Take Line 1, get off at Tiananmen East or West Station, and walk 10-15 minutes to the Meridian Gate. Fare: 3-5 yuan.
• Buses are also a good choice. Many buses stop nearby, such as No. 1, 2, 5, 52, 101, 103.
• For family trips, if public transportation is inconvenient, you can choose taxis, ride-hailing services or Didi, but you cannot get off directly at the Meridian Gate. From downtown Beijing, the fare is between 20-40 yuan, which is not too expensive.

Forbidden City Security Check & Visitor Rules

Strict security checks are required before entering the Forbidden City. Please follow the relevant rules. This is also to ensure that everyone has a better visiting experience and does not have to worry about personal safety in the Forbidden City. Everyone should also cooperate with the security personnel, which can save everyone's time and allow them to better enjoy their visit in the Forbidden City.

• Prohibited items: liquids over 100ml (except baby formula), large luggage, drones, selfie sticks, tripods and food.
• Smoking, climbing, touching cultural relics, littering and loud talking are strictly prohibited in the Forbidden City.
• Let's be respectful visitors.

Luggage Storage & Visitor Services

To make it easier for everyone to visit, I have sorted out the luggage storage locations and some important convenient services for you.

• Luggage Storage: West Side of Duanmen Square (near the Meridian Gate).
• Pick-Up: East of Shenwu Gate or North of Donghua Gate.
• The Forbidden City has information desks, restrooms, first aid stations and souvenir shops.

Forbidden City Must See Scenic Spots & Travel Tips

Meridian Gate (Entrance)

It’s the only official entrance to the Forbidden City, and it is also commonly known as “Five Phoenix Tower” because of its unique shape. From far away, it looks very grand and majestic. It’s definitely a great spot for taking photos. Remember to stand under the steps to take a full view of the red walls and the gate—it’s full of traditional Chinese atmosphere～ Many visitors like to take photos here to record their trip to the Forbidden City.

Important Note: Visitors with only the Palace Museum tickets cannot enter the Meridian Gate from Tian’anmen Square. They must enter from East or West Tongzi River Road instead. If you have booked tickets for both Tian’anmen Square and the Palace Museum, you can reach the Meridian Gate after going through security checkpoints in Tian’anmen Square. However, the pedestrian walkway between Tian’anmen Square and the Palace Museum is one-way only going northbound.

Hall of Supreme Harmony (Golden Throne Hall)

It’s the core scenic spot of the Forbidden City and the most important hall in the whole palace. It’s not only the largest but also the most magnificent hall here. In ancient times, emperors held their coronations, weddings and other grand ceremonies in this hall. The yellow glazed tiles on the roof are very textured and shine brightly in the sun, showing the dignity and grandeur of the imperial palace.

Hall of Central Harmony + Hall of Preserving Harmony

They are closely next to the Hall of Supreme Harmony and are important parts of the Forbidden City. The Hall of Central Harmony is a small and quiet hall where emperors rested and prepared themselves before attending grand ceremonies. There is a huge dragon and cloud stone carving behind the Hall of Preserving Harmony. It is very exquisite and has a long history—be sure to stop and look carefully at this amazing work of art!

Hall of Heavenly Purity

The Hall of Heavenly Purity is one of the most famous palaces in the Forbidden City. In ancient times, it was not only a place where emperors lived, but also a place where they handled daily state affairs. Its appearance is simple but very grand, with red walls and yellow tiles that fully show the dignity and style of the imperial palace. Every visitor will be deeply attracted by its unique architectural style when they walk here, and they can feel the traces of history.

Imperial Garden

When you feel tired after visiting the palaces, you can take a good break here. The Imperial Garden is a beautiful garden inside the Forbidden City, with ancient cypresses, delicate pavilions and beautiful flowers arranged in a very beautiful way. After finishing your visit here, you can exit through the Shenwu Gate. Remember to follow the central axis all the way during your trip—it’s the easiest way and you won’t make any mistakes!

Practical Visiting Tips

• Plan your route in advance. Recommended route: Meridian Gate → Hall of Supreme Harmony → Inner Court → Imperial Garden → Shenwu Gate.
• Wear comfortable shoes, dress appropriately for the weather, and bring water, snacks, ID and a camera.
• Join an English guided tour to learn more about its history.

The Forbidden City is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture. Follow this guide, book tickets in advance and prepare well, and you will have a happy and unforgettable visiting experience.

Best Hotels Near the Forbidden City!