The Forbidden City, Zijin Cheng, is located in the middle of modern Beijing. It looks like a large rectangular island made of huge red walls and shiny golden roofs, surrounded by a wide water moat. A visit in the Forbidden City will take you back to historic times, while its name exudes something mysterious.

However, it is difficult for tourists to get tickets and not so easy to find your way around, as all signs are mainly in Chinese. But in this post I will tell you exactly how to make your visit at the Forbidden City in Beijing an unforgettable experience.

🐉 Why is it called the ‘Forbidden City’?

The answer lies in its function. On the one hand, the Forbidden City served as the residence of the reigning emperor and his family in the royal palace and, on the other hand, of course, as the centre of power of the Chinese Empire – for over 500 years. Since its construction (between 1406 and 1420), the strictest secrecy of all proceedings taking place within it was a top priority. Only the emperor, his family, officials and servants were allowed to enter the Forbidden City. The city itself was divided hierarchically. The outer courtyard served political and representative purposes, while the inner courtyard was reserved for the emperor and his family.

After the abdication of the last of a total of 24 emperors in 1911, he continued to live in the Forbidden City until 1924, when it was finally opened to the public as the Palace Museum in 1925. The Forbidden City remains one of China’s most important tourist attractions and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

My map of Beijing:

💸 How much does it cost to visit the Forbidden City in Beijing?

Ticket prices for the Forbidden City vary depending on the season:

• 60 yuan during peak season (1 April to 31 October)
• 40 yuan during low season (1 November to 31 March)

Visitors under the age of 18 can visit the Forbidden CIty free of charge.

Some special areas require an additional ticket, such as the Treasure Palace. However, we skipped this area.

🎫 How do you book tickets for the Forbidden City?

(Spoiler: It’s complicated)

The question how to obtain tickets for the Forbidden City is like a big mystery! Tthe online ticket portal is only available in Chinese and is not suitable for tourists. Therefore, there is only one way to get tickets: buy them directly on site at the palace! But you have to come to the right ticket booth!

Important: You must bring your passport with you! Photos or copies are not accepted, as your passport number must be entered on your ticket.

I have marked the exact location of the ticket centre on my map. It is a little hidden in front of the security checkpoint at the entrance –  the ‘Gate of Heavenly Purity’.

My tip: When booking a private tour, your guide will also assist you with purchasing tickets, which will guarantee that you avoid any misunderstandings.

👨‍🏫 Is a guided tour of the Forbidden City worth it?

We were also unsure how and where to get tickets, as we found different information online. So we decided to book a private tour for our visit to the Forbidden City in Beijing. And we definitely did not regret it! As already mentioned, it is not that easy to find your way around the area. We also learned many interesting facts thanks to our guide and saw the best spots.

We booked our local guide via Get Your Guide – including transport, ticket purchase and a tour of the Forbidden City. A visit to Tian’anmen Square was also included. The approximately 40-hectare public square is located directly in front of the entrance gate.

Conclusion: It is really worth booking a guided tour to enjoy the Forbidden City in a relaxed & informative way!

⏰ When is the best time to visit the Forbidden City?

Around 80,000 people visit the Forbidden City in Beijing EVERY DAY. As you can imagine, there are huge queues waiting at the entrance gate early in the morning. Which is why arriving early isn’t a solution. My tip: it’s better to plan your visit in the afternoon. Last admission is at 4 pm (closing time is 5 pm). We arrived at the palace at around 3 pm and passed through the entrance gate at around 3:30 pm.

🕒 How much time should you plan for your visit at the Forbidden City in Beijing?

We began our visit to the Forbidden City with a walk around the palace (no ticket is required for this). Even from the outside, it looks imposing and impressive – with lots of great photo opportunities. Standing in front of it, you can really feel its historic past.

The outdoor area is actually a popular photo spot among locals, especially for pictures in traditional costumes. Around the moat, you’ll see people dressed in colorful outfits everywhere. You can rent these costumes almost anywhere – and even book a photographer with them!

Inside the Forbidden City, you basically make your way from the entrance to the exit in a straight flow. Along the way, you pass through different sections with various small palaces and halls – though many of them are quite similar. So you don’t need to stop at every single one. We spent about two hours exploring the whole site.

My highlights inside the Forbidden City:

The central inner area with the main palace – the ‘Palace of Heavenly Purity’ – is particularly well known. It once served as the main residence of the reigning emperor and as the seat of government.

The Imperial Garden was my favourite – with various pagodas and small temples as well as shady trees – some of which are already 400 years old! What a special feeling to be so close to them…

🌄 Extra tip: Visit the Jingshan Park for the ultimate view

Jingshan Park (translated as Viewing Hill) was formerly part of the Forbidden City and is located opposite the exit – the ‘Gate of Divine Prowess’. It is a beautiful place for a walk. However, the main reason most visitors come to Jingshan Park is for the fantastic panoramic view of the Forbidden City and Beijing from the pavilion at the top of the hill. During sunset it is an particular unforgettable experience. Although the park is often very crowded, it is not to be missed. The climb is relatively steep but not very long. It took us about 10 minutes to the top.

Important: There is a small entrance fee. Again, it is not easy for tourists to buy tickets on site and they must be booked in advance. Which is why we booked them via Get Your Guide and got a QR code. This got exchanged for a ticket at the entrance. A passport is also required for your visit!

A visit to the Forbidden City in Beijing – My summary

Anyone who decides to travel to Beijing will naturally want to see the Forbidden City. It is surely the most famous sight in Beijing and an overwhelming feeling to enter the centre of power of the former Chinese Empire and immerse yourself in its exciting history. We thoroughly enjoyed our unforgettable stay here, even though getting tickets was a little more complicated than at other places we have visited so far.

I hope my tips for visiting the Forbidden City in Beijing will help you to plan your trip without stress and enjoy a relaxing stay.

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