It's obviously gorgeous and historic and is definitely a must-see if you ever travel through Beijing. But do know that it is absolutely massive, sprawling, and easy to get lost in. There are a lot of hidden corners, and many of the courtyards resemble each other. As my group continued through, we found ourselves asking, "Have we already been here?" on more than one occasion. If possible, I'd recommend not going in the summer as there is little shade and it gets HOT. If you do go in the summer, make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and if you get one, a mini handheld fan. There were places inside to buy water, but I'd recommend bringing your own, too.