One-day tour of the Forbidden City

Number of days: 2 days
Time: March
Average cost: 1530 yuan
Tour kinds: free travel, train, hiking
Updated: 2023.03.15

A Day Trip to the Forbidden City in Beijing

Spring is here, so it's time to get out and move around. After careful consideration, I decided to go to the Forbidden City in Beijing. My previous visits to the Forbidden City were a bit rushed, just a quick walk along the central axis and then leaving just as the park was about to close. This time, I decided to spend a full day there to make up for that.

I. Planning Your Itinerary

1. Purchase Forbidden City Tickets: Book your tickets through the Palace Museum's mini-program. Since the museum is closed on Mondays, I bought tickets for Tuesday, 40 yuan each. I also bought tickets for the Treasure Hall (10 yuan) and the Clock and Watch Hall (10 yuan). Since it's off-season, tickets are slightly cheaper.

2. Purchase Train Tickets: After comparing flight and train tickets and considering the distance from the airport and train station to my hotel, I decided to go with the train. For the outbound trip, I bought a high-speed rail ticket in the afternoon, aiming to arrive in Beijing before 10 PM. Staying overnight at the hotel, I could arrive at the Forbidden City early the next morning, leaving plenty of time for the tour and feeling more refreshed. For the return trip, I purchased a sleeper ticket on the overnight train and returned the next morning, saving me from a two-day stay and preventing any delays in my plans. The outbound trip cost 576 yuan, and the return trip cost 304.5 yuan for an upper berth on a hard sleeper.

3. Hotel Booking: Considering walking to the Forbidden City early the next morning, I searched China-TravelNote for hotels close to the Forbidden City and ultimately chose the Wangfujing Yongguang Hotel, less than 1 kilometer away. The king-size bed room without a window cost 384 yuan.

II. Journey

1. Outbound: I purchased dinner on the train for 65 yuan, a bit pricey, but delicious. From Beijing South Railway Station, I took the subway Line 14, transferred to Line 8, and got off at Jinyu Hutong. The subway ticket was 4 yuan. The hotel was a 10-minute walk away.

2. Hotel: The hotel was very friendly and offered a free upgrade to a king-size bed room with a window due to maintenance. The door to the building was a bit noisy, so I recommend staying in a room farther away. The hotel does not offer breakfast, but there is a Hangzhou steamed bun shop next door. I ordered a basket of mushroom and pork dumplings (9 for 15 yuan) and a bowl of millet porridge (4 yuan). They were piping hot and delicious. 3. Forbidden City: It took about 30 minutes to walk from the hotel to the Meridian Gate. I noticed a few small shops along the way selling photos of Qing Dynasty costumes, which was a bit strange. Although I thought I left early, I still saw a few tourists along the way. It seems I wasn't the only one there, haha. There's a moat near the Meridian Gate, which I've never seen before in Beijing. It feels like the moat not only protects the imperial palace but also adds a touch of gentle charm to the Forbidden City. The willow trees on one side of the moat are already sprouting tender green buds, a sign of spring. At the entrance to the Forbidden City, you scan your ID card to enter. I rented an electronic guide (20 yuan) for a more detailed explanation. Entering from the Meridian Gate, I found a baggage storage area on its left side, making it convenient for visitors lugging luggage. However, after the visit, you'll need to return to retrieve your luggage. Since the Meridian Gate only has one entrance, visitors still have to lug their luggage to another exit, which makes it less appealing. Following the central axis, I first passed the Taihe Gate, followed by the Zhendu Gate on the left and the Zhaode Gate on the right. The corridors on either side, viewed from one end, create a visual sense of endless arches. Hearing the story of how the fire at the Zhendu Gate affected Emperor Guangxu's wedding, I felt that Empress Dowager Cixi was a decisive person. From the Taihe Gate to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, there were more tourists than I expected. I also noticed several groups of photographers at the Ti'ren Pavilion and Hongyi Pavilion on either side. At first, I thought they were filming, but then I realized they were taking photos in Qing Dynasty costumes. There were also children dressed like little princesses, posing with small fans – quite adorable. Looking back, I understand why there are so many photo shops along the way; they're quite a unique business. Standing in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, I pondered for a while how the sundial and the Jialiang measure time and measure, but I couldn't quite figure it out. I saw the Forbidden City cleaning staff wiping the window panes on the exterior of the building, and I noticed they were all using red rags. I wondered if it was a coincidence or a design quirk. The Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Hall of Preserving Harmony are still only viewable from a distance; you can't enter. But seeing such well-preserved centuries-old architecture is a real blessing. Following the central axis to the Qianqing Gate, the Grand Council on the left is quite unassuming. Perhaps this row of small rooms allowed the emperor and his ministers to discuss state affairs in close proximity. Most of the morning was almost gone. Thinking I couldn't just follow the central axis this time, I wanted to explore the attractions on both sides. So, I turned left and arrived at the Cining Palace, Cining Palace Garden, and Shoukang Palace. The Cining Palace and Shoukang Palace are accessible and feature themed exhibitions. The Cining Palace Garden was larger than I'd imagined, with far fewer visitors. I sat on a bench and enjoyed the tranquility. It was already past noon, and I was exhausted. I walked to the Ice House, bought a coffee (25 yuan) at a small shop, and had some noodles with soybean paste (46 yuan) at the distinctive Ice House restaurant. After resting up, I walked south to Duanhong Bridge. The stone lions on the bridge were of various shapes, some well-preserved, others a little blurred. I marveled at the difficulty of preserving these ancient monuments. Then I went to the Wuying Hall, which also housed a themed exhibition. I continued to explore the complex of buildings to the right of the central axis. The Wenhua Hall was closed, so I headed to the Treasure House. I had thought it was a treasure exhibit, but it turned out to be a complex of several tourist attractions. I first saw the Nine Dragon Screen. I must have visited it when I was very young, but I still remember it. I walked to the Huangji Hall, Yangxing Hall, and Qianlong Garden. I was struck by the fact that Qianlong's heart remained strong despite his retreat. I wonder if this was a good or bad thing for Emperor Jiaqing. I was particularly curious about the Changyin Pavilion. It has three floors, and it's said that there are mechanisms between the floors, allowing for up and down travel. The design also improves sound reception; otherwise, those sitting a little further away in the Yueshilou Tower wouldn't be able to hear the opera clearly. I'd visited the Zhenfei Well before. The story of this well was probably the only thing I knew about the Qing Dynasty from my childhood history education. It made me feel so much better about how much education we have now. Despite the tragedy, I took another look at the wellhead. It struck me as a bit small. Perhaps it wasn't just that people back then were more compact, but perhaps wells today are different from those days. The Treasure House does have many treasures. The most impressive one was the chrysanthemum made of red coral. Despite the coral color, the carving was incredibly exquisite. I wonder if jade could achieve the same effect. After leaving the Treasure House complex, it was already around 3 p.m., so I quickly found the Clock and Watch Museum and took a quick look at the Palace Museum's clock collection. I imagined the Qing emperors were collectors of clocks and watches, much like my junior high classmates collected stamps. While the value might differ, the joy of collecting must have been the same. After leaving the Clock and Watch Museum, I quickly toured the Zhai Palace and the Six Eastern Palaces—Jingren Palace, Yanxi Palace, Yonghe Palace, Chengqian Palace, Zhongcui Palace, and Jingyang Palace. It seemed that only Jingren Palace and Yanxi Palace were open to the public. I was particularly impressed by the unfinished palaces in the Yanxi Palace, which are said to mimic Western architecture, their rusty appearance revealing the imperial family's desire for change and frustration. With less than half an hour until closing time, I hurried across the central axis, intending to visit the Six Western Palaces and the Hall of Mental Cultivation. That would have to wait until next time. Returning to the central axis, I hurried past the Palace of Heavenly Purity and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility before arriving at the Imperial Garden. I saw the Yanhui Pavilion, rumored to be where the emperor selected concubines. I wonder what their positions were like. If the emperor was upstairs and the concubines below, could he clearly see the concubines' beauty and demeanor? I then thought, perhaps the concubines' family backgrounds were more important. Reluctantly, I left the Forbidden City through the Shenwu Gate, hustled by the security guards. Speaking of security, the Forbidden City should have a considerable staff, with at least two guards in each small room. During my tour, it seemed like there were only security guards around, so any questions I had about the exhibits felt like I had to forget about them or resolve them on my own. It would be even better if the Palace Museum could provide more professional service. Speaking of service, the electronic guide comes to mind. At each stop, it automatically provides background information about the area, providing helpful information. However, there are two drawbacks: First, the guide automatically recognizes locations. If you're listening to the guide while walking, and two stops are close together, the previous guide will abruptly stop and automatically move on to the next, preventing you from returning. Second, if a visitor returns to a stop, the guide won't repeat the audio guide, automatically recognizing that the visitor has already visited it. A more effective service would be if the guide allowed visitors to select a clickable guide based on their current location.

4. Return: Leaving the Forbidden City, we walked back to the hotel, passing through two hutong areas along the way. Walking through Beijing's hutongs always offers a sense of tranquility and a rich sense of life, distinct from the bustling metropolis. For dinner, I bought pancakes and soy milk (16 yuan). After picking up my luggage from the hotel, I walked along Wangfujing Pedestrian Street. It didn't seem as bustling as before, with fewer tourists and passersby, but East Chang'an Avenue was still bustling with traffic. I sighed all the way to Beijing Station and headed home (subway and bus cost 11 yuan).

III. Summary

1. Trip Expenses: Transportation 895.5, accommodation 384, food 171, tickets and guided tours 80, a total of 1530.5 yuan.

2. Trip Experience: The Forbidden City offers endless sights and countless stories to tell. It's worth a repeat visit.