The Forbidden City in Beijing could be a familiar name to many visitors planning a China tour. But what is the Forbidden City? Where is it located?
To be brief, it’s a magnificent imperial palace complex located in central Beijing. It served as the political and ceremonial heart of imperial China for nearly 500 years.
There were 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties living here; their stories and the history have been well-preserved in the palaces’ red walls and golden tiled roofs.
Fast Facts about the Forbidden City
- Chinese Name: 故宫 Gugong, meaning “Former Palace”
- Location: 4 Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
- Opening Hours: Peak Season (Apr–Oct): 8:30 AM–5:00 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM); Low Season (Nov–Mar): 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (last entry at 3:30 PM); Closed: Every Monday (except public holidays and special occasions)
- Ticket Price: Peak Season: RMB 60 (about USD 8); Low Season: RMB 40 (about USD 6); Treasure Gallery: RMB 10 (about USD 1.5); Clock Gallery: RMB 10 (about USD 1.5)
- Entrance and Exit: Visitors can only enter through the Meridian Gate (午门, South Gate) and leave through the Gate of Divine Might (神武门, North Gate) or East Glorious Gate (东华门)
Content Preview
- Why Is It Called the Forbidden City?
- Forbidden City Interesting Facts
- How to Get to the Forbidden City
- How to Visit the Forbidden City
- Forbidden City Layout
- Forbidden City Architecture
- Must-See Treasures in the Forbidden City
- When Is the Best Time to Visit the Forbidden City?
- Attractions Near the Forbidden City
- Explore the Forbidden City with China Xian Tour
- FAQs about Visiting the Forbidden City
Why Is It Called the Forbidden City?
To understand why people call the palace the Forbidden City, we should first learn a bit of Chinese.
- “Forbidden City” is translated from its Chinese name “Zijincheng” (紫禁城). The character “Zi” (紫, purple) refers not just to a color, but to a sign in ancient Chinese astronomy.
- The central group of stars was once called the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, the residence of the Heavenly Emperor.
- Chinese emperors considered themselves the Sons of Heaven, so they used the character “Zi” to connect their earthly palace with the heavenly realm.
- The character 禁 means forbidden or restricted. The imperial palace was only accessible to the royal family. Ordinary people were not allowed to enter. Even officials could only visit with permission.
- Together, Zijincheng means the Forbidden City of the Heavenly Emperor, and the entry was forbidden to common people.
- Today, it is commonly called 故宫 by Chinese people. This name means “the Former Palace.” After the last emperor left, it was officially transformed into the Palace Museum in 1925.
Forbidden City Interesting Facts: 10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know
1. The Forbidden City Does Not Actually Have 9,999.5 Rooms:
The palace once had more than 20,000 rooms during the Ming Dynasty. However, in 1644, a devastating fire destroyed over 70% of the buildings. In 2012, a survey showed there were 9,371 rooms remaining.
2. The Forbidden City Has Stayed Flood-Free for Over 600 Years:
The palace’s advanced drainage system allows rainwater to flow from the roofs into open channels, then underground waterways, eventually into the Inner Golden River. So the grounds can stay dry even in the heavy storms.
3. It Took Only 14 Years to Build the Forbidden City
The construction of the palace lasted from 1406 to 1420, in the Ming Dynasty. More than one million workers participated in the project. The workforce was larger than the population of many European cities at that time.
4. It Is More Than Three Times Larger Than the Louvre Museum
The Forbidden City actually covers about 72 hectares (180 acres), being the largest and most ancient wooden structure complex in the world.
5. Why Are There Almost No Trees in the Outer Court?
The Outer Court was a grand ceremonial space. To ensure a clear view during ceremonies and not provide hiding places for assassins, trees were not planted here. The Inner Court has more gardens and greenery, since it was a private space.
6. The Golden Bricks Had Their Own Quality Control System
The back of each “golden brick” in the Forbidden City was engraved with the craftsman’s name and production date. If anything went wrong, the craftsman who made it could be easily traced.
7. The Imperial Doors Have 81 Golden Studs
The palace has large red palace gates, which are decorated with 9 rows and 9 columns of golden door nails, totaling 81 studs. Number 9 is the highest single digit and was closely associated with imperial power.
8. Millions of Visitors Explore the Forbidden City Every Year
The Forbidden City welcomes nearly 18 million visitors annually. And that’s the reason why daily visitor numbers are limited to 80,000, a necessary measure to protect the site.
9. Why Don’t Birds Usually Stay on the Palace Roofs?
The roof tiles have steep angles, making it difficult for birds to stand comfortably. That’s because the tiles are all in yellow, a color that represents imperial authority, and bird droppings on them are considered disrespectful.
10. The “Cold Palace” Was Not a Real Palace
The “Cold Palace” was not a specific building in the Forbidden City. It was a general term referring to the residences confining disgraced imperial concubines.
How to Visit the Forbidden City: Recommended 3–4 Hour Route
Should You Spend Half a Day or a Full Day in the Forbidden City?
The Forbidden City is a vast palace complex. You can spend a whole day exploring the beauty of its halls, courtyards, and exhibitions.
However, it is difficult for visitors with a tight schedule to do that, so a well-planned route is really necessary. The following route can be covered in half a day and leads you to experience highlights of the palace without feeling rushed.
A classic 3–4 hour Forbidden City tour route:
Meridian Gate (午门) → Gate of Supreme Harmony (太和门) → Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿) → Hall of Central Harmony (中和殿) → Hall of Preserving Harmony (保和殿) → Hall of Ancestral Worship (奉先殿, Clock Gallery) → Palace of Heavenly Purity (乾清宫)→ Hall of Union Peace (交泰殿) → Palace of Earthly Tranquility (坤宁宫) → Hall of Mental Cultivation (养心殿)→ Western Six Palaces (西六宫) → Imperial Garden (御花园)→ Gate of Divine Might (神武门)
Forbidden City Layout: Outer Court, Inner Court & Palace Structure
The Forbidden City covers about 72 hectares (180 acres). It is also surrounded by a 10-meter-high defensive wall, which measures about 3,430 meters in length. There’s a watchtower that stands at each of its four corners.
1. City Walls and Gates: The Defensive System
Besides the 10-meter-high wall, the Forbidden City is also surrounded by a 52-meter-wide moat. The moat’s flow follows the natural terrain and has remained functional for over 600 years.
During the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, lotus roots were even planted in the moat and harvested for only imperial use. This is one of the earliest examples of a “royal supply.”
Meridian Gate (午门)
The Meridian Gate is located on the southern side of the Forbidden City. It has been the main entrance to the palace from the past to the present.
It actually has three main openings. In ancient times, only the emperor could use the central entrance. Besides, emperors would also come here to announce their important imperial orders and send troops off for military campaigns.
Today, the Meridian Gate is the entrance for visitors. But one must first pass through Tiananmen Square to reach here.
2. Outer Court: The Emperor’s Administrative and Ceremonial Area
The outer court is in the southern part of the Forbidden City. It’s a place designed for grand ceremonies, and emperors would also come here to handle important state affairs. The three main halls are arranged along the central axis from south to north:
- Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿): the largest and most important palace in the Forbidden City. You can see the emperor’s throne in the hall. Grand ceremonies such as enthronements and royal weddings were held here.
- Hall of Central Harmony (中和殿): It is a resting place for the emperor before major ceremonies. It was also where the emperor prepared speeches before rituals at the Temple of Heaven.
- Hall of Preserving Harmony (保和殿): It was originally a royal banquet hall. It later became the venue for the highest-level imperial examination, known as the Palace Examination (殿试).
3. Inner Court: The Emperor’s Living Area
The Inner Court is in the northern part of the Forbidden City. It was a living area where the emperor and his family lived.
- Palace of Heavenly Purity (乾清宫): The emperor’s residence before Emperor Yongzheng’s reign. Later, it was used for meetings. The famous “Zheng Da Guang Ming” plaque is here, which played an important role in a regime change.
The emperor wrote the name of his chosen successor in two copies. He kept one with himself, and the other one was hidden behind the plaque. After his death, the documents were compared and examined before the new emperor took the throne.
- Hall of Union Peace (交泰殿): The emperor’s seals were stored here. Some important celebrations were also held here, such as the empress’s birthday banquet.
- Palace of Earthly Tranquility (坤宁宫): In the Ming Dynasty, empresses lived here. In the Qing Dynasty, it was converted into a place for religious rituals and also the emperor’s wedding chamber. Many original wedding decorations were preserved.
- Hall of Mental Cultivation (养心殿): The residence and office of eight Qing emperors after Emperor Yongzheng.
- Eastern and Western Six Palaces (东西六宫): These are residences of imperial concubines. They were built on the two sides of the main halls. Many emperors were also born and raised here.
- Imperial Garden (御花园): A royal garden. There are two “love trees” planted in the garden, both of which are over 400 years old. They symbolize harmony between couples.
Experience Beijing's top imperial highlights on a 2-day layover tour visiting the Great Wall at Mutianyu, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven.
Forbidden City Architecture: The Secrets Behind 600 Years of Chinese Design
1. Perfect Symmetry and the North-South Axis
While strolling through the palace or looking at the map of the complex, you may surprisingly find that all major buildings in the Forbidden City are arranged symmetrically along a north-south central axis.
This design shows an ancient belief that the emperor was chosen by Heaven, so his palace naturally stood at the center of the world.
2. The Secret Meaning Behind Red Walls and Yellow Roofs
Yellow glazed tiles were only used for imperial buildings. In Chinese culture, yellow is a color that belongs to the emperor, carrying meanings of power and the land.
Walls and pillars are all painted red. It’s related to happiness, good fortune, and protection from evil.
Different colors also had different meanings: princes’ residences had green tiles, as green is a color of growth. Black tiles were used for libraries since black has a nature of water, which could protect against fire.
3. The “Royal Guardian Team” on the Palace Roofs
Traditional Chinese buildings often have small animal figures sitting on the roof ridges. They are actually the roof ridge beasts (脊兽).
The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the only example with 10 ridge beasts in China. The number also has its meaning: the more beasts a building has, the higher its status.
Each of the 10 creatures has its own name and role. Iconic ones are the dragon, phoenix, and lion, forming a “royal guardian team” together.
3D digital records of these 600-year-old treasures are regularly created. Specialists work to preserve their details so that future generations can appreciate the figures’ delicate design.
4. Wooden Structures Without Nails
As mentioned above, the Forbidden City is entirely built with wooden structures. The beams and columns are connected through traditional wooden joints, but not iron nails. You can consider it a giant Chinese version of Lego.
This flexible design is incredibly solid, helping the palace survive more than 200 earthquakes over 600 years.
5. A 600-Year-Old Heating System
Some palace buildings were equipped with “dilong” (地龙), an ancient underfloor heating system. In winter, charcoal was burned outside the halls, then the warm air would travel through underground channels to heat the rooms.
Chinese emperors already enjoyed this advanced heating method centuries ago.
6. Stone and Bronze Lions: Guardians of the Palace
Many palace entrances have pairs of lion statues. The lion on the left is a male lion, usually placing its paw on a ball. It’s a symbol of power and unity.
The female lion on the right rests its paw on a lion cub. It symbolizes prosperity and the continuation of the family line. Both of them were built as guardians protecting the palace.
Our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel at the appointed time. The first stop on today's Beijing tour is Tian'anmen Square, which is the heart and symbol of Beijing and is the largest...
Must-See Treasures in the Forbidden City
The Forbidden City houses more than 1.8 million cultural relics:
- Treasure Gallery (珍宝馆): Visiting this gallery needs an additional ticket of RMB 10(USD 1.4). There are around 400 royal treasures displayed. The most famous piece is the Dian Cui Phoenix Crown (点翠凤冠), which once belonged to a Ming Dynasty empress. It’s made with thousands of kingfisher feathers and many precious jewels. After hundreds of years, it still remains stunning and beautiful.
- Clock Gallery (钟表馆): This gallery also requires an additional ticket of RMB 10(USD 1.4). There are more than 1,500 ancient clocks. Most of them were imported from Britain, France, and other countries in the 18th century.
- Famous Paintings and Calligraphy: The Forbidden City houses masterpieces such as Along the River During the Qingming Festival(清明上河图) and A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains (千里江山图).
However, calligraphy and painting collections are displayed through rotating exhibitions or staged displays, but not for long periods.
When Is the Best Time to Visit the Forbidden City?
Autumn (September–November) and spring (April–May) are the best seasons to visit the Forbidden City. Beijing’s weather is mild and pleasant during these months, and crowds are smaller. A snow-covered Forbidden City in winter can be like a dream, taking you back to history.
If avoiding crowds is your priority, consider the low season (November 1–March 31) and visiting on weekdays (especially early morning or late afternoon).
During weekends and Chinese public holidays, the Forbidden City can be extremely crowded.
Attractions Near the Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is surrounded by many famous attractions that can be visited on the same day.
1. Jingshan Park (5-minute walk)
When coming out of the Gate of Divine Might (Shenwumen), you can see Jingshan Park just across the street. It offers the best panoramic view of the Forbidden City.
Many visitors climb to the top of Wanchun Pavilion to see and take pictures of the Forbidden City from above.
Entrance fee: RMB 2 (USD 0.3)
2. Beihai Park (15-minute walk)
If you exit from the west gate of Jingshan Park, then you will reach Beihai Park. This imperial garden is nearly 1,000 years old, and it features the famous White Dagoba. It’s also an enjoyable experience to try boat rides on the lake.
3. National Museum of China (15-minute walk)
This museum is located on the east side of Tiananmen Square. The museum is free to visit and houses many important Chinese historical relics. Advance reservation is required.
4. Shichahai (20-minute walk or bike ride)
Exit from the north gate of Beihai Park, then cross the road, and here you are at Shichahai. This historic area has traditional Beijing hutongs, former residences of famous figures, and lakeside bars. You won’t get bored exploring the place.
How to Get to the Forbidden City
By Subway
Subway Line 8 (Recommended):
Take Line 8 and get off at Jinyu Hutong Station (Exit C).
Walk west along Donghuamen Street for about 12 minutes. Follow the moat to reach the Meridian Gate. Compared to the route introduced above, this one is usually less crowded and more convenient for visitors
Subway Line 1:
Take Line 1 and get off at Tiananmen East Station or Tiananmen West Station.
After exiting the station, walk about 8–15 minutes through Tiananmen Square. Then you’ll reach the Meridian Gate (午门), the main entrance of the Forbidden City.
Please note that if you choose this route, you’ll need to pass through Tiananmen Square security checks. This process can take a long time during public holidays.
By Car – Not Recommended
Driving or traveling by taxi is not recommended. There’s no dedicated visitor parking lot near the Forbidden City. Besides, the Forbidden City is located in central Beijing, surrounding areas often face traffic restrictions.
Explore Beijing's Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace before flying to Huangshan for misty peaks and ancient Hui villages.
Explore the Forbidden City with China Xian Tour
It can be a bit challenging to fully explore the Forbidden City if you are unfamiliar with the ticket system, history, and hidden stories behind the palace.
To help you address this, China Xian Tour offers professional guided tours, and we’ll do our best to help you skip the hassle and discover the 600-year history of this magnificent imperial palace in your Beijing tour.
FAQs about Visiting the Forbidden City
What to see in the Forbidden City?
The must-see highlights usually include the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Palace of Heavenly Purity, Imperial Garden, Treasure Gallery, and Clock Gallery. If you only have limited time, don’t miss them.
Where to take photos in the Forbidden City?
Visitors usually take photos at the Meridian Gate and Hall of Supreme Harmony. Red palace walls and the Imperial Garden also offer a perfect background. In addition, the panoramic view from Jingshan Park is stunning.
Where to eat near the Forbidden City?
There are limited dining options inside the Forbidden City. You can find good restaurants or cafes around Jingshan Park, Wangfujing, or Donghuamen Street.
Can I buy Forbidden City tickets on the same day?
Foreign tourists can buy tickets on-site, but ticket availability is limited. So, advance reservation is still recommended.
For more information on ticket booking, please see: How to Buy Forbidden City Tickets
Is the Forbidden City wheelchair accessible?
Yes, most sections have accessible paths; however, the historic layout, such as raised thresholds and uneven surfaces, will make assistance necessary.
