BEIJING · IMPERIAL HERITAGE
Forbidden City:Tickets, Opening Hours & Visiting Guide
Some places are even more impressive once you're standing in them. At Beijing's Forbidden City, red palace walls frame wide courtyards, golden rooftops stretch toward the horizon, and the scale of imperial China becomes something you can feel rather than just read about.
Once the home of Ming and Qing emperors, the Forbidden City is now the Palace Museum. Come for the famous halls, but leave time for the smaller details and quieter corners. This guide helps you choose what to see and plan a visit that feels right for you.
THE PLACES YOU'LL REMEMBER
The Forbidden City Highlights Worth Your Time
How big is the Forbidden City? The palace complex covers about 720,000 square meters (178 acres). Rather than trying to see everything, focus on the places that interest you most.
The Great Halls — A First Impression You Won't Forget
Walk into the Outer Court and the space opens up around you. White-marble terraces lift the great halls above broad stone courtyards, while golden roofs draw your eyes along the central axis.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony, once used for important imperial ceremonies, is the best-known landmark here. Together with the Hall of Central Harmony and Hall of Preserving Harmony, it offers a memorable introduction to the architecture and rituals of China's imperial court. Take a moment to look back across the courtyard: this is where the scale of the palace is easiest to appreciate.
The Inner Court — Behind the Grand Facades
Further north, the grand ceremonial spaces give way to the Inner Court. Buildings such as the Palace of Heavenly Purity and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility tell a different story, one of imperial family life and the everyday workings of the court.
The Forbidden City feels more personal here. Doorways, painted beams, and the arrangement of the rooms reveal how life was organized behind the palace walls.
The Details You'll Remember
A row of roof-ridge figures, a carved stone ramp, a richly painted ceiling: some of the palace's most rewarding sights are found in its craftsmanship. If you enjoy collections as much as architecture, consider the Treasure Gallery or the Clock Gallery. These require separate tickets, so choose them according to your interests and available time.
A QUIETER MOMENT
The Imperial Garden — A Change of Pace
Near the northern end of the palace, the Imperial Garden feels quite different from the open squares you've just crossed. Ancient trees, sculpted rocks, and elegant pavilions create a more intimate setting.
Look for the small architectural details as you wander. It's a beautiful place to take a break from the grand views and enjoy another side of the Forbidden City.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE
Forbidden City Tickets & Opening Hours
Here are the essential details for planning your visit. Forbidden City tickets are sold through official reservation channels and should be arranged before you arrive.
| Information | Peak season | Low season |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | April 1–October 31 | November 1–March 31 |
| Standard adult ticket | CNY 60 | CNY 40 |
| Opens | 8:30 AM | 8:30 AM |
| Last entry | 4:00 PM | 3:30 PM |
| Closes | 5:00 PM | 4:30 PM |
Optional galleries: Treasure Gallery — CNY 10; Clock Gallery — CNY 10, each in addition to the main admission. Visitors aged 60 and over are eligible for half-price standard admission; other discounts depend on eligibility and identification requirements. Check the official policy for details. The museum is normally closed on Mondays, except for certain public-holiday arrangements.
Booking Forbidden City Tickets as an International Visitor
- Book early. Tickets normally go on sale seven days before the visit at 8:00 PM Beijing time. The museum does not generally sell same-day admission tickets. Busy dates can fill quickly.
- Use the identification you will bring. International visitors can book with an accepted passport or other eligible document. For your Forbidden City visit, enter the details carefully and bring the original document to the entrance; reservations are checked against it.
- Check your chosen day. Look at your entry session and whether the galleries you want require separate tickets or reservations. Conservation work or special events can change which areas are open.
EXPLORE AT YOUR OWN PACE
Choose Your Forbidden City Tour
A classic first visit follows the palace from south to north:
- Meridian Gate
- Outer Court & Great Halls
- Inner Court
- Imperial Garden
- Shenwu Gate
This route gives you the story of the palace in a natural sequence, from public ceremonies to the more private world of the imperial family. Follow the signs on the day, as individual halls or passages may be closed for conservation.
2 Hours
The Essential Sights
Short on time? Keep your Forbidden City tour close to the central route. Give the Three Great Halls and main courtyards your attention, then continue north through the Inner Court. You'll see the palace's most recognizable spaces without turning the visit into a race. Allow additional time for security and reaching the entrance.
3–4 Hours
Room to Explore
Prefer a gentler pace? Pause for photographs, notice the decorative details, and spend more time in the Imperial Garden. You may also fit in a gallery that especially interests you. This option is often better for families and travelers who'd rather explore comfortably than check off every building.
ARRIVAL, EXIT & EVERYDAY COMFORT
Getting There: Entrances, Exits & Useful Tips
Where Is the Forbidden City Located?
The Forbidden City is in the heart of Beijing, just north of Tiananmen Square. The Forbidden City entrance for regular visitors is Meridian Gate, on the south side. You cannot enter through the northern exit.
Beijing Subway Line 1 serves Tian'anmen East and Tian'anmen West. From there, follow the currently permitted walking route and allow time for security checks around the Tiananmen area. If you're using a car or private transfer, the final approach may still involve walking.
Plan Your Exit Before You Arrive
Leave via Shenwu Gate (north) or Donghua Gate (east). Shenwu Gate is especially convenient if you'd like to walk across to Jingshan Park afterward. For a driver pickup, agreeing on the correct exit beforehand saves unnecessary backtracking.
A Few Things That Make the Day Easier
Comfort matters
Even a shorter Forbidden City visit involves long walks across stone paving, open courtyards, and occasional steps. Choose good walking shoes and allow breaks for children or older companions. Check the museum's accessibility services if anyone in your group has mobility needs.
Dress for the season
Much of the visit is outdoors. Bring sun protection and water in warmer months, and prepare for cold winds in winter. Keep luggage light and check official storage options if needed.
Look up — and look closely
Wide courtyards make wonderful photographs, but don't miss the carved stone, roof figures, and painted woodwork. Respect signs around protected buildings and any photography restrictions in galleries.
CENTURIES OF IMPERIAL CHINA
A Palace with Six Centuries of Stories
Construction of the Forbidden City began in 1406, and the main palace was completed in 1420. For nearly five centuries it was the imperial home and political center of 24 Ming and Qing emperors.
The Palace Museum opened in 1925, giving the public a way to experience spaces once reserved for the court. The complex became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Knowing these dates adds context. Yet what stays with many visitors is simpler: standing where centuries of ceremonies once took place, then finding yourself in a quiet garden only a short walk away.
KEEP EXPLORING BEIJING
More to Enjoy Around the Palace
Jingshan Park — The View from Above
After leaving through Shenwu Gate, consider climbing the hill in Jingshan Park. From the top, the Forbidden City rooftops line up in an extraordinary panorama. It's well worth considering if the weather and your energy allow.
Temple of Heaven — A Different Imperial Story
If you'd like to see more of imperial Beijing, the Temple of Heaven reveals the ceremonial traditions of worship and prayers for good harvests. It is a separate visit, so give it enough time rather than squeezing it in.
For more possibilities, browse our
Beijing Travel GuideYOUR TRIP, YOUR PACE
Make This Visit Your Own
Would you rather spend extra time with the architecture, hear the stories with a guide, or enjoy a relaxed day that continues into the streets and parks of Beijing? There's no single right way to experience the Forbidden City.
Tell WOW CHINA your travel dates, the people you're coming with, and what you're excited to see. We can help shape your Beijing plans around your interests and pace, including discussing guiding, transport, and other local arrangements. Museum admission remains subject to its official reservation rules.