Travel Guide to the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), Beijing

The Forbidden City, officially known as the Palace Museum, was the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties. With a history of over 600 years, it served as the home to 24 emperors and is the largest and best-preserved ancient wooden architectural complex in the world, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

1. Basic Information
Location: 4 Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing (directly north of Tiananmen Square)
Best Time to Visit: April–May & September–October (pleasant weather, fewer crowds)
Recommended Duration: 3–4 hours
Visitor Rule: One-way tour only — Enter via Meridian Gate (Wumen, South); Exit via Shenwu Gate (Gate of Divine Might, North) or Donghua Gate (East Gate).
2. Opening Hours & Tickets
Opening Hours
Peak Season (Apr 1 – Oct 31): 8:30–17:00 (Last entry: 16:00)
Off-Season (Nov 1 – Mar 31): 8:30–16:30 (Last entry: 15:30)
Closed: Every Monday (except national holidays)
Ticket Prices
Main Ticket:
Peak: ¥60 / person
Off-Season: ¥40 / person
Exhibition Halls (Optional):
Treasure Gallery: ¥10
Clock Gallery: ¥10
Discounts:
Students: ¥20 (with valid student ID)
Seniors (60+): 50% off
Minors (under 18): Free (must book in advance)
Booking Tips
No on-site ticket sales. All tickets must be booked online 7 days in advance via the official website or WeChat Mini-Program.
Foreign visitors: Book on the English website with your passport number.
Entry: Present your passport/ID for verification at the entrance.
3. How to Get There
By Subway (Recommended):
Line 1: Get off at Tiananmen East (天安门东) or Tiananmen West (天安门西). Walk ~10 mins to Meridian Gate.
Line 8: Get off at Jinyu Hutong (金鱼胡同). Walk ~8 mins to Meridian Gate.
By Bus: Take buses to Tiananmen East or Tiananmen Square stop, then walk.
4. Recommended Tour Route (Central Axis Highlights)
Meridian Gate (Wumen) — Main Entrance
Gate of Supreme Harmony
Outer Court (State Halls)
Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe Dian) — China’s largest ancient wooden hall, for grand ceremonies.
Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghe Dian)
Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohe Dian)
Gate of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Men)
Inner Court (Imperial Residence)
Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Gong) — Emperor’s bedroom.
Hall of Union (Jiaotai Dian)
Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunning Gong) — Empress’s bedroom.
Imperial Garden — Beautiful classical garden.
Shenwu Gate (Gate of Divine Might) — North Exit (you can visit Jingshan Park opposite for a bird’s-eye view).
5. Essential Travel Tips
Comfortable Shoes: The site is huge (~150,000 sqm), with lots of walking.
Audio Guide: Rent one at Meridian Gate (¥40) or use a guide app for detailed explanations.
Facilities: Free luggage storage (Meridian Gate deposit, Shenwu Gate pickup).
Prohibited Items: No lighters, matches, or dangerous goods.
Crowds: Arrive before 9 AM to avoid peak crowds.