In Beijing, the magnificent Forbidden City carries a rich history and culture. This travel guide will take you on a deep exploration of the solemn Taihe Palace and the mysterious Qianqing Palace. It also provides you with a tour route, ticket purchasing guide, and recommendations for local delicacies, allowing you to fully enjoy the beauty of the Forbidden City.
You must visit the Forbidden City and experience the six hundred years of wind and rain, as well as 3,000 li (approx. 1,500 km) of Beijing.
💰 Ticket Prices:
Adults: 40 yuan/person
Students and seniors: 20 yuan/person
Minors: Free admission
⚠ Tickets to the Treasure Gallery and the Clock Gallery must be purchased separately or on-site.
【Transportation】 🚗 Take a taxi to the East Gate of the Forbidden City ➡ Walk to the Meridian Gate (Nanchizi Street/Beichizi Street) 🚗 Take a taxi to Hanting Hotel ➡ East Gate of the Cultural Palace of the Labouring People ➡ West Gate of the Cultural Palace of the Labouring People ➡ Meridian Gate 🚇 Take the subway to Tiananmen West Station exit B ➡ Walk to the West Gate of Zhongshan Park ➡ Walk to the East Gate of Zhongshan Park ➡ Meridian Gate (Zhongshan Park requires ticket purchasing one day in advance) 🚇 Take the subway to Qianmen Station exit G ➡ Take the bus from Qianmen Station to Xihuamen Station ➡ Meridian Gate
⚠️ It is not recommended to enter Tiananmen Square during peak hours (reservation required, crowded).
【Introduction to the Scenic Area】
📱 Audio guides: Rent at the entrance for 20 yuan each. Comes with a map of the Forbidden City and provides an automatic explanation as you move around the site. Different versions are available for your experience.
Recommended 📱 Mobile public account guides: Free
📱 Human guides: Priced based on the route. Wealthy visitors may consider this option.
【Tour Route】 Main Route: Duanmen Gate ➡ Meridian Gate ➡ Wenhua Hall ➡ Clock Gallery ➡ Treasure Gallery ➡ Zhongcui Palace ➡ Chuxiu Palace ➡ Cining Palace ➡ Taihe Gate ➡ Taihe Palace ➡ Baohe Palace ➡ Qianqing Palace ➡ Shengwu Gate.
1⃣ 11:00-13:00: Visit the East Section of the Forbidden City. The number of visitors is relatively low during this time. Visitors who have booked tickets to the Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery can go there. You can also have lunch at the Forbidden City Restaurant at noon, which costs 50 yuan/person for a bento box.
2⃣ 13:00-15:00: Visit the West Section of the Forbidden City. During this time period, most visitors will be concentrated on the central axis. After visiting Cining Palace, you can have afternoon tea at the Bingcang Restaurant.
3⃣ 15:00-17:00: Visit the central axis of the Forbidden City. The last admission time is 15:30, and the number of visitors will be the lowest at this time, making it suitable for taking photos. You can walk for two hours to Shengwu Gate and end your tour of the Forbidden City.
4⃣ After exiting Shengwu Gate, cross the street to Jingshan Park. You can climb the mountain before sunset and overlook the panoramic view of the Forbidden City, enjoying the beautiful sunset scenery of the Imperial Palace.
