How to Visit the Forbidden City in Beijing – Tickets, Must-sees, Tips & Itineraries

Written by Natalia | Updated October 22,2025

Have you ever thought about this question: how the emperors of ancient China lived? Well, if so, a visit to the Forbidden City must be on your bucket list. But considering the huge size and countless treasures inside, you may be not sure where to start and what to prioritize. What’s more, you may also face other challenges relating to the ticket availability and massive crowds. This article will walk you through how to visit the Forbidden City in an efficient way. Of course, we will not only cover the predeparture essentials including ticket, hours, and transportation, but also the core of your visit – tour routes, highlights, and practical travel tips.

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• Information You Got to Know for a Forbidden City Tour
• Best Time to Visit
• How to Get to the Forbidden City
• Forbidden City Highlights – What to See
• Recommended Palace Tour Routes
• Tips for Visiting the Forbidden City
• Expertly Guided or Independent Tour?
• FAQs about Visiting the Forbidden City
• Uncover the Mysteries Inside the Forbidden City with China Xian Tour

Information You Got to Know for a Forbidden City Tour

• Opening Hours: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm from April to November; 8:30 am – 4:30 pm from November to March. Last entry stops half an hour before the closure time.
• Monday closures: The Forbidden City is closed on Monday as most museums, except Chinese national public holidays.
• Ticket Information: 60RMB from April to November; 40RMB from November to March. The Hall of Clocks: 10RMB. The Treasure Gallery: 10RMB.
• Where and how to buy tickets (online vs on-site): The Forbidden City does not have an on-site ticket window. Visitors have to book a ticket on the official website or join a tour group to save the trouble of grasping a ticket.
• Skip-the-line options: Opt for the afternoon ticket if possible for less crowds. Take as little luggage as you can to enter through the bag-free passage.

Read more: 10 Fun Facts About the Forbidden City

Best Time to Visit

Morning vs afternoon visits

In a Beijing travel, photography enthusiasts may mostly visit the Forbidden City in the morning. At that time, the light is gentler, the red walls and yellow glazed tiles form a perfect backdrop for nice photos. Nevertheless, I would more suggest you visit in the afternoon. The reason is that, a majority of tour groups come to visit in the morning, which may impact your travel experience. If you have already got a morning ticket, it’s advised to line up before the opening time.

Weekdays vs weekends

To go on weekdays or at weekends, that is the question. Comparatively speaking, weekdays are the prior choice. With less crowds there, you can enjoy a quieter environment and linger in front of the masterpieces. This also allows good photos with cleaner backgrounds. The last but not the least, tickets on weekdays are easier to get.

Seasonal considerations

Autumn (September to November) is the best season to visit the Forbidden City. The weather of Beijing is very pleasant at that time with little rain. The golden gingko leaves against the red palace walls are stunningly bright. They are very photogenic elements.

If you have the flexibility, try to travel in April and May to avoid the crowds. As spring approaches, the Forbidden City finally comes back to life, looking more vibrant with blooming flowers scattered everywhere.

If you don’t mind the cold, the snow-covered Forbidden City in winter is worth a visit. This scene will always remind you of the past days presented in the films and TV dramas about Qing Dynasty life.

Recommended Tour: Half Day Forbidden City Private Tour

How to Get to the Forbidden City

All visitors have to enter the Forbidden City from Wumen (The Meridian Gate). Therefore, no matter where you depart, you need to get to Wumen first.

From Beijing Airport

Currently, there are two airports for international use: the Capital Airport and Daxing Airport. To shuttle between the airports and the Forbidden City, Beijing’s well-developed metro system is the most straightforward way.

From Capital Airport: Take Capital Airport Line and get off at Dongzhimen Station. Change to metro line 2 (Inner Ring) to Jianguomen Station. Again, transfer to metro line 1 and alight at Tian’anmen East Station.

From Daxing Airport: Take Daxing Airport Line to Caoqiao Station. Then, take metro line 10 (Inner Ring) to Gongzhufen Station. Next, transfer to metro line 1 to Tian’anmen East Station.

From Tian’anmen East Station ( Exit B), walk 10-15 minutes to the Meridian Gate.

From Train Station

Beijing Railway Station and West Railway Station are the most frequently used train stations in Beijing by passengers.

From Beijing Railway Station: Use metro line 2 (outer ring) to Jianguomen Station and then transfer to metro line 1 and get off at Tian’anmen East Station. Bus line 1, 52 and 120 can also take you to Tian’anmen East.

From Beijing West Railway Station: Take metro line 9 to Military Museum and then change to metro line 1. Get off at Tian’anmen East. Bus is not recommended.

You can also wave to hail a taxi or book one on the ride-hailing apps. In China, Didi is the most popular ride-hailing app.

From Tian’anmen Square

Tian’anmen Square is quite close to the Forbidden City, only about 15 minutes’ walk. You can walk northward from Tian’anmen Square and pass through Chang’an Avenue, then the entrance is right there.

Forbidden City Highlights – What to See

Imperial Architecture

How to visit the Forbidden City? Understanding its layout is the key. The design of the Forbidden City abides by the ancient philosophy and cosmology of China. Serving as the residence of the emperor, the son of Heavenly Emperor, the Forbidden City is where the sovereign power is highly centralized. Every architectural detail complies with the strict hierarchy.

The Forbidden City is divided into two areas by function, the outer court and the inner court. The outer court is for grand ceremonies and office for dealing with state affairs. The inner court is where the emperor and his concubines live.

The architectures are mainly constructed with timber. Components are mostly connected by tenon-and-mortise work, rather than nails. Dougong, a system of brackets inserted between the top of a column and a crossbeam, is the epitome of this and can be seen everywhere in the Forbidden City. In addition, pay attention to the colorful glazed mythical creatures on the roof ridges. They are not merely exquisite artifacts, but also symbols of architecture grades.

Must-See Halls and Palaces

• Hall of Supreme Harmony: It’s the key architecture in the Forbidden City. It witnessed the grandest occasions where the emperor ascended to the throne, got married, and launched battles. The emperor’s throne can be seen outside the palace. The models of ten animals, including dragon, phoenix, lion, flying horse, and bull, showcase the ultimate status of this palace.
• Hall of Central Harmony: In terms of scale, it’s much smaller than the front Hall of Supreme Harmony. This palace used to be the waiting room for the emperor to rest and get prepared for the upcoming ceremonies.
• Hall of Preserving Harmony: In the Qing Dynasty, this was where the selected students attended the final imperial exam presided over by the emperor.
• Hall of Mental Cultivation: It was the living room of eight emperors from the mid to late Qing Dynasty. You can see Sanxi Hall, the study of Emperor Qianlong, and the East Warm Chamber, where Empress Dowager Cixi held court from behind a screen.
• Imperial Garden: At the north end of the Forbidden City, it is the backyard of the Forbidden City. Emperors and their concubines often entertained guests in this garden.
• Treasure Gallery: It’s inside the Palace of Peace and Longevity. For the large scale, you need leave about 1.5 hours to feast your eyes. The largest jade sculpture as heavy as 5 tons is housed there. It was created on the basis of the picture depicting Da Yu’s legend in his flood control career. You will be dazzled by the elegant necklaces, headwears and phoenix coronets.
• Hall of Clocks: It gathers the delicate watches and clocks worldwide from the 18^th to 20^th  They were favored by the emperors and empresses.

Recommended Tour: Beijing Classic Day Tour With a Stop in Forbidden City

Jingshan Park for sunset views after your visit

After exiting from the Gate of Divine Prowess, our Forbidden City tour comes to an end. Jingshan Park is right before us across the road. Smart tourists often drop by the park and climb to Wanchun Pavilion at the commanding height. The whole Forbidden City is before your eyes! When the sun gradually sets, it is shrouded in the golden rays, looking more attractive.

Recommended Palace Tour Routes

A classic route: costing 2-3 hours

• Route: The Meridian Gate – Hall of Supreme Harmony – Hall of Central Palace – Hall of Preserving Harmony – Palace of Heavenly Purity – Hall of Union – Palace of Earthly Tranquility – Imperial Garden – Gate of Divine Prowess
• Best for: Firs-time visitors, those in a rush, tour groups

The route stretches along the central line of the Forbidden City from south to north. It’s centered on the core palaces inside the Forbidden City and enough for visitors to know about the layout and design concept.

This is a fast way to have a glance of the essence at the cost of skipping some less important spots. It’s a classic route, a favorite pick of Beijing group tours, so you need to get prepared for potential crowds. In case you want to take photos, quicken your pace and find the most advantageous location before the arrival of the crowds.

An in-depth tour route: requiring half a day

• Route: The Meridian Gate – Hall of Supreme Harmony – Hall of Central Palace – Hall of Preserving Harmony – Hall of Mental Cultivation – Six Western Palaces – Hall of Ancestral Worship (Hall of Clocks) – Palace of Peace and Longevity (Treasure Gallery) – Six Eastern Palaces – Palace of Heavenly Purity – Hall of Union – Palace of Earthly Tranquility – Imperial Garden – Gate of Divine Prowess
• Best for: Culture lovers wishing to dive into the details

It’s the top recommendation if you spare enough time for the Forbidden City and want to discover more. I’m sure you won’t have a pity choosing this route because it includes all the highlights.

In the morning, you can visit from the Hall of Supreme Harmony to the Six Western Palaces. It may take 3 hours. Then it’s about time for lunch. It’s advised to take some snacks or dine at the restaurants inside the Forbidden City.

The afternoon visit starts from the Hall of Ancestral Worship and ends at the Gate of Divine Prowess, costing about 2.5 hours. Don’t miss the Hall of Clocks and the Treasure Gallery, two hottest attraction on this route.

Recommended Tour: 5 Days Beijing Tour Package

Tips for Visiting the Forbidden City

Follow our Forbidden City Visiting Tips below to make the most of your trip:

Accessibility Tips

At the entrance, you can see a passage designed for the disabled, seniors above 60, and pregnant women in a wheelchair. In case you need a wheelchair, just borrow one at the entrance for free. In the courtyard, wheelchair accessible slopes can be found to go inside some halls and palaces. But the slopes are kind of steep, you had better be accompanied by a partner.

Though it might be challenging travelling with infant kids, the Forbidden City is stroller-friendly. Strollers are allowed to enter and can be rented at the entrance.

Visitor Etiquette

It’s critical to follow photography rules for a smooth trip. Any commercial photography is prohibited. Large professional photographic equipment are not allowed to enter. When taking photos inside the halls and palaces, remember not to use flash light, selfie stick and tripod.

To go through security checks without any problem, be sure not to take camping equipment, kites, unmanned aerial vehicles and climbing tools.

Travel Tips

• What to wear: A Forbidden City tour is physically demanding, requiring long-time walking outdoors. Therefore, cotton is recommended to keep your body dry and comfortable. Plus, pack up a pair of comfortable sneakers.
• Food and refreshments nearby: Outside the Jingyun Gate, there is the Forbidden City Restaurant. It mainly offers Chinese food like rice, noodles and dumplings. If you are not used to it, there is the Icehouse Restaurant close to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility. Hamburgers are sold there.
• Nearby attractions for extended exploration: You can combine the Forbidden City and nearby attractions for a one day tour. Tian’anmen Square, Jingshan Park, Beihai Park, Zhongshan Park and Working People’s Cultural Palace are all good options within a walking distance.

Expertly Guided or Independent Tour?

Travelling independently gives you more freedom. You may change the route to avoid the crowds as you wish. And you can make your own schedule. Relatively speaking, joining a group tour may restrict your time. However, it’s completely hassle-free. You don’t need to worry about if you can’t book a ticket. The tour guide will interpret the stories and origins of the cultural relics, making your tour far more interesting and worthwhile.

FAQs about Visiting the Forbidden City

How much does it cost to visit the Forbidden City?

The entrance ticket costs 60RMB in the peak season from April to November. Otherwise, it’s 40RMB. If you intend to visit the Hall of Clocks and the Treasure Gallery, you need to pay extra 10RMB for each. The dining standard ranges from 50-100RMB per capita inside the Forbidden City.

How much time do you need at the Forbidden City?

The minimum time needed is 2 hours. If time permits, spend half a day for a comprehensive tour.

How do I purchase tickets for the Forbidden City, and how far in advance should I book?

Purchase tickets on the official website of the Forbidden City. It should be noted that this website has an English interface. Usually the tickets are released at 8:00pm seven days in advance, but they are often sold out in minutes. If you do not succeed in getting a ticket, it’s advised to join a group tour.

Are tickets for the Forbidden City available for purchase on-site?

Sorry, I’m afraid not. You have to obtain a ticket in advance.

Can I visit the Imperial Garden, the Treasure Hall, and the Clock Exhibition, and do they require separate tickets?

Of course you can visit all three. The Imperial Garden is covered by the entrance ticket, but to enter the Treasure Hall and the Clock Exhibition, you have to buy separate tickets. The fare is 10RMB for each.

Uncover the Mysteries Inside the Forbidden City with China Xian Tour

The Forbidden City is full of mysteries, especially in its inner court. If you do not know how to visit the Forbidden City more efficiently, don’t hesitate to join in a customized tour of China Xian Tour. Our professional guide will lead you to explore the hidden secrets of the Forbidden City.