Written by Wendy Mo |
The Forbidden City (the Palace Museum) is a must visit for Beijing Tours. To make a smooth exploration, it is necessary to understand how to buy tickets to this site. As a result, this article will introduce three convenient booking methods for you, and you can choose one that meets your condition the most.
Basic Facts and Tips about Forbidden City Tickets
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Monday (Except National Traditional Holidays)
- April 1st – October 31st: 8:30 – 17:00
- November 1st – March 31st: 8:30 – 16:30
- Morning session: Check tickets by 12:00 (noon). Afternoon session: Ticket checks start at 11:00 am.
Ticket Price:
- April 1st – October 31st (high season): CNY 60/~ USD 8.67
- November 1st – March 31st (low season): CNY 40/~ USD 5.78
- The Treasure Gallery: CNY 10/~ USD 1.45
- The Gallery of Clocks: CNY 10/~ USD 1.45
Ticket Release Time:
- Tickets are released 7 days in advance. Peak season can sell out quickly, book early to secure your spot.
- No same-day tickets available.
On-site Tickets:
- Seniors aged 60 and above, and minors under the age of 18 can purchase tickets on-site.
- Foreign tourists can also buytickets on-site during the off-season.
- There will be long queues, so arrive early in case the tickets get sold out.
Daily Visitor Limit:
40,000 visitors per day
Entry Requirement:
- You must bring and present the valid passport used for bookingwhen entering
- You need to checkin at Meridian Gate (午门)
Content Preview
- Book Forbidden City Tickets via official Website
- Book Forbidden City Tickets via WeChat Mini Program
- Book Forbidden City Tickets via Travel Agency
- FAQs About Booking Tickets
- Appreciate the Forbidden City’s Grandeur with China Xian Tour
Book Forbidden City Tickets via official Website
The official website is one of the most convenient platforms for foreign visitors, as there’s an English page that supports multiple payment methods. Here’s a detailed introduction helping you make bookings this way.
1. Go to the home page of the Palace Museum, ticket booking session
The link below should directly lead you to the English page. However, if it shows Chinese, just simply change the language at the top right corner.
https://bookingticket.dpm.org.cn/
2. Select your visiting date and the quantity of tickets
On this step, you’ll see a calendar showing available dates for the visit. Please make the booking at least one day before your visit. And if you’re traveling during peak seasons, you may need to do it even earlier.
3. Sign in
Before making a booking, you’ll need to create an account and sign in first. It’ll need you to prepare a valid email address.
4. Enter Visitor Information
Then you’ll come to the stage of inputting visitor information. This is a crucial stage and remember that you can make bookings for up to 5 people at a time. Each passport can only be used to make one reservation per day. Don’t forget to double-check individual’s corresponding information.
5. Select an Exhibition
If you’re interested, you can include tickets for galleries and exhibitions on display. Usually, the two galleries are open all year round. Both galleries hold stunning collections, and they can make your journey even more memorable.
6. Confirm Your Order
Please carefully check all of the details you filled in, especially your personal information, as you’ll need your passport for entry.
7. Check Reservation Result and Complete your Purchase
If your recommendation goes successfully, you’ll then come to the payment stage. Choose the payment method you prefer. For those who don’t want to make a payment online, you can also apply for on-site payment.
Book Forbidden City Tickets via WeChat Mini Program
In addition to the official website, you can also make bookings via WeChat Mini Program. However, you’ll need a valid Chinese phone number to buy tickets this way. If you don’t have, please purchase via official platform.
1. Search the Forbidden City mini program in WeChat
First of all, you need to find the search bar in WeChat, and search 故宫. Then you’ll see the mini program result.
2. Start Your Booking
Then you’ll reach a page that looks like the one shown below. Click the most striking red square 购票约展 to start booking your tickets.
3. Choose Your Visit Time and Ticket Type
Select your preferred date, time, and ticket type, and click “立即购买” at the bottom to proceed to the next stage. Please read the following tips carefully:
- If a date is shown in gray, it means tickets on this date are already sold out.
- Minors under the age of 18 from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, as well as foreigners with permanent residency in China can visit for free (including admission ticket, Treasure Gallery, and Clock Gallery), but reservations are still required. Minors under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Foreign touristsfrom other coutries/regions can book free tickets for your minors under 18 on the official website introduced above.
4. Input Your Personal Information
Still, you can only make bookings for up to 5 people at a time, each passport can only be used for one reservation on the same day. After filling all the bars, check the information carefully. Phone number must be a Chinese phone number.
5. Select Gallery Ticket and Confirm Booking
Next, you’ll need to select gallery tickets. Once you have made your decision, click 提交订单, then come to the confirmation page. If every detail is correct, click 提交订单 again.
6. Make Payment
After submitting the order, you will be automatically redirected to the WeChat Pay page. To make payment, you need to bind a supported bank card to your WeChat account.
Book Forbidden City Tickets via Travel Agency
If you don’t want to handle the booking by yourself, travel agencies like China Xian Tour can also help you to do that. Besides helping you purchase tickets, we also offer services like private transfer and guided tours. We can help you to create a smooth and pleasant Forbidden City exploration.
FAQs About Booking Tickets
Can foreigners book Forbidden City tickets?
Yes, foreigners can book tickets online. Just stick to the official platforms to avoid fraud.
How far in advance should I book?
Tickets are usually released 7 days in advance. It’s recommended to book as early as possible, especially during peak seasons and holidays.
Is the Forbidden City open every day?
No. It is closed on Mondays (except for public holidays). Opening hours also vary between peak and off seasons. Check specific information in “basic facts” section.
What documents do I need?
Your passport. You’ll need it for both booking and entry. After successfully purchasing your ticket, it will be automatically linked to your passport.
Are tickets refundable?
Generally, tickets can be refunded if canceled before your scheduled visit date. Check the official website for detailed information.
What if tickets are sold out?
If tickets are sold out, consider these options:
- Book through authorized tour providers (they may have reserved quotas)
- Try booking for a different date or time slot
Appreciate the Forbidden City’s Grandeur with China Xian Tour
The Forbidden City is one of the most awe-inspiring attractions in China. It’s an ideal place for you discover China’s grand history and culture. Do you want a smooth exploration of the Forbidden City from the beginning to the end? Well, China Xian Tour are always here ready to provide you a best Beijing tour, including a Forbidden City visit. We can help you buy tickets and offer customized itineraries paired with private transfer and tour guide. Stop hesitating, contact us now to embark on a perfect journey!
