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Forbidden City Tickets Booking
From CNY20/US$4 per person
Highlights:
  • Skip the line to guarantee your entry.
  • Enter simply by scanning your passport, no need to collect a paper ticket.
  • A must-visit landmark on travelers’ bucket list.
  • Appreciate exquisite historical collection and splendid palace complex.
Select Date and Tickets:
Entering Time
  • Adult: Age 18-59
  • Entrance Ticket [Apr 1 to Oct 31]
    CNY60
    -
    0
    +
  • Senior: Age 60+
  • Entrance Ticket [Apr 1 to Oct 31]
    CNY30
    -
    0
    +
  • Child: Age 6-17
  • Entrance Ticket
    CNY20
    -
    0
    +
Recommended Day Tours
Important Notice
Price
1.Free of charge for children under 1.2 meters (3.9 feet), or younger than 6 years old.
2.Minors between 6-18 years old enjoy preferential price of CNY20; and CNY5 each for the Treasure Gallery and Watch Gallery.
3.Seniors elder than 60 years old enjoy half price.
Reservation
1.The tickets are released 7 days in advance; we will book the tickets for you as soon as they are available.
2.Your valid Passport/ID information is required for booking, and one person can only book one ticket per day.
How to Book and Use
Please present your Passport/ID to verify the booking and enter from Meridian Gate (the south gate).
Opening Hours
April - October: 08:30 - 17:00
November - March: 08:30 - 16:30
It is closed on Mondays, except the Chinese public holidays.
Change & Cancellation
1.Free Change & Cancellation if sending the request by email 24 hours before the designated entry time.
2.After the ticket is issued, the service fee is non-refundable.
Further Reading:
What to Expect

The Forbidden City, said to consist of over 9,000 rooms, is the largest and best-preserved royal palace throughout the world. Serving as the seat of power in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911), it was dwelled by 24 emperors in its history of over 600 years.


Wandering around the emperors’ home, you may wonder that you are in a maze of exquisite wood structures because it’s so large. Most walls and doors are painted yellow and red as they are considered as symbols of dignified imperial power and auspiciousness. Among all palaces, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Palace of Heavenly Purity and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility are the most popular attractions.

Besides the antique buildings, your eyes will be dazzled by abundant curios, like porcelain, Chinese calligraphy, paintings, clocks, and watches. You will imagine how the royal families led a lavish lifestyle upon seeing these articles.

Additional Info
Address:
No. 4, Jingshan Qianjie, Dongcheng District, Beijing
How to get to Forbidden City Beijing
Tourists can only enter through the Meridian Gate, namely the south gate of the Forbidden City.
 By subway:
a. Take Subway Line 1, get off at Tiananmen East Station (Exit A) or Tiananmen West Station (Exit B), find the Tiananmen Tower, and then walk north to the Meridian Gate;
b. Take Subway Line 2, get off at Qianmen Station (Exit A), walk north through the Tiananmen Square, pass the Tiananmen Tower, and then find the Meridian Gate further north.

 By bus:
a. Take Bus 1, 2, 52, 82, 120, Sightseeing Bus Line 2, Tourist Bus Line 1, or Tourist Bus Line 2 and get off at Tiananmen East Station;
b. Take Bus 1, 5, 52, Sightseeing Bus Line 1, Sightseeing Bus Line 2, Tourist Bus Line 1, or Tourist Line 2, and get off at Tiananmen West Station.

Forbidden City Tickets Booking FAQs

How to buy tickets to the Forbidden City Beijing?

1. Highly recommended: Use a ticket agency to help with the booking, which saves time and avoids troubles.
2. Second choice: Book tickets on the official website of the Forbidden City if you could read Chinese or you have a Chinese friend, as the web page is in Chinese only.
3. Not recommended: Buy tickets on spot at the Forbidden City, but there’s possibility that the tickets are sold out.

Do I need to book a ticket to Forbidden City in advance?

Yes, you had better book Forbidden City tickets online in advance. If booking with an agency, you are advised to book as early as possible, especially when you are visiting during public holidays. If you buy through the official website by yourself, the earliest time is 10 days before the visiting date.

Can I buy a ticket on the spot upon arrival?

If you have difficulties in booking Forbidden City Beijing tickets online, you can try to buy it on the spot with the help of the working staff. However, you are not guaranteed to get the ticket because only 80,000 tickets are available per day.

What is the Forbidden City ticket price?

Entrance Ticket: April - October: CNY 60; November - March: CNY 40
Treasure Gallery: CNY 10
Clock and Watch Gallery: CNY 10
* Children and seniors enjoy certain discounts.
  • Customer Reviews
  • Questions & Answers
  •  
    4.879 Reviews
    Roger living in Beijing
    Argentina
    Posted on May. 10, 2021
    Travel China Guide was very supportive and honest about the Tour we took in the Forbidden City. Since we are Beijing residents we just wanted the tickets, and while other tour operators suggested to use the guided tours, Travel China Guide offered us both the tour and the possibility of buying the tickets only, which suited our budget and necessities. I will definitely use Travel China Guide for another tour in China.
    Bridget
    Australia
    Posted on Apr. 07, 2021
    Easy to navigate on the website and when we got to the Forbidden City our details were in the system.
    Mike
    China
    Posted on Feb. 21, 2021
    Easy use, fast, responsive, and professional. Have used the same agency several times. Would definitely use again.
    Małgorzata
    Poland
    Posted on Jan. 05, 2020
    Highly recommend for all those who do not speak Chinese. It was easy to buy tickets without stress and any problems. Also the price was very reasonable - comparing to what a travel agency at our hotel wanted to charge us for the same thing.
    At the site, you just need to show your passport as they have your tickets in the system.
    djung
    Singapore
    Posted on Dec. 22, 2019
    Excellent service.

    Thank you
    CTL
    USA
    Posted on Nov. 27, 2019
    Flawless and easy service. Passport is the only thing needed when entering
    laurence
    Belgium
    Posted on Nov. 19, 2019
    perfect way of gering tickets: Booking and Pauling beforehand, récrivons confirmation and no problème at all to get in! Perfect service!
    Caroline
    Malaysia
    Posted on Nov. 11, 2019
    Easily redeemed the entrance ticket by showing my passport
    Max
    Australia
    Posted on Oct. 28, 2019
    Extremely easy, great service
    S. Luc
    switzerland
    Posted on Oct. 28, 2019
    many people visit fobbiden city day by day. i would recommend to buy the tickets first. very good service. definietly thumbs up.
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