Can I buy tickets to the Forbidden City on the day of my visit?

Can I buy tickets to the Forbidden City on the day of my visit?

No, you cannot buy same-day tickets to the Forbidden City at all.
Full official explanation (easy for speech)
No on-site ticket salesThere are no ticket windows at the gate. The Palace Museum never sells tickets on the day you visit.
Booking ruleAll tickets must be booked online 7 days in advance.Tickets go on sale at 20:00 (8:00 PM Beijing time) seven days before your visiting date.
For foreign touristsYou need to book with your passport number on the official international website in advance.Daily tickets are limited and often sell out very quickly, especially on weekends and holidays.
Important reminderThe Forbidden City is closed every Monday (except Chinese public holidays).