Travels in the Forbidden City, Beijing

Number of days：3 days
Time: March
Average cost: 5,000 yuan
With whom: and parents

Beijing Forbidden City Travel Guide

The Forbidden City, a palace complex embodying the splendor of the Ming and Qing dynasties, is like a three-dimensional history book, attracting countless visitors to explore the royal splendor deep within history. To make your visit to the Forbidden City smoother and more exciting, here's a detailed travel guide.

Preliminary Preparations

Ticket Bookings: Book your tickets 7 days in advance through the Palace Museum's official mini-program. Refunds are available until midnight the day before your visit, with no-show cancellations allowed.

Learn about the opening hours: Peak season (April 1st to October 31st): Admission opens at 8:30 AM, last admission closes at 4:00 PM, and closes at 5:00 PM. Off-season (November 1st to March 31st): Admission opens at 8:30 AM, last admission closes at 3:30 PM, and closes at 4:30 PM. Closed every Monday (except statutory holidays). 1.

What to bring: Bring a power bank, comfortable shoes, and possibly some dry food and water. You can also prepare traditional Chinese costumes or Hanfu clothing suitable for taking photos. 1.

Transportation Guide 2

Subway: Take Metro Line 1 and get off at Tiananmen East Station or Tiananmen West Station. Exit the station and walk to the destination.

Bus: Multiple bus lines are available, including Lines 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, and 20, and get off at Tiananmen West or Tiananmen East.

Taxi: You can get to Donghuamen or the East Gate of the Workers' Cultural Palace, then walk to Meridian Gate.

12-Hour Tour Route: Suitable for tourists with less time, this route travels from south to north along the central axis, visiting Meridian Gate, Taihemen, Hongyi Pavilion, Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony, Hall of Preserving Harmony, Gate of Heavenly Purity, Palace of Heavenly Purity, Hall of Union and Peace, Palace of Earthly Tranquility, Imperial Garden, and Gate of Divine Prowess. The Half-Day Tour is suitable for visitors interested in history and culture. This route extends beyond the Central Axis and includes the Wenhua Hall (Calligraphy and Painting Gallery), Fengxian Hall (Clock and Watch Gallery), the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and the Six Western Palaces. It takes at least 4 hours. The One-Day Tour is suitable for visitors seeking a more in-depth exploration. It includes visits to the Meridian Gate, the Wuying Hall, the Wenhua Hall, the Taihe Gate, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, the Hall of Preserving Harmony, the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Hall of Union and Peace, the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Six Western Palaces, the Imperial Garden, the Six Eastern Palaces, the Fengxian Hall, and the Palace of Tranquility and Longevity.

Must-See Attractions

The Hall of Supreme Harmony: The largest palace in the Forbidden City, it was the site of major ceremonies such as the emperor's enthronement and wedding.

Treasure House: Located in the Ningshou Palace area, it houses a variety of precious gemstones, gold and silver utensils, pearls, jadeite, and other precious cultural relics.

Cining Palace: The residence of imperial concubines during the Ming and Qing dynasties, including Empress Xiaozhuang and Wen.

The Imperial Garden: Strange rocks, lush trees, and ancient cypresses and vines, all centuries old, are full of charm.

Dining & Shopping 1

Dining: There are restaurants like the Ice House Restaurant within the Forbidden City, but you can also bring your own food. After your visit, you can visit nearby restaurants like the Four Seasons Minfu Roast Duck Restaurant for some delicious food.

Shopping: There are many cultural and creative shops in the Forbidden City where you can buy unique souvenirs such as Forbidden City lipstick and Forbidden City calendars.

Photo Tip 1

Best photo spots: Jinshui Bridge, Wumen Gate, Hongyi Pavilion, Broken Rainbow Bridge, Neizumen, Cining Palace, Kunning Palace, Imperial Garden, and Hall of Supreme Harmony are all good photo spots.

Time to take photos: The morning light is soft, suitable for capturing architectural details. In the afternoon, as the sun sets, you can capture the charm and atmosphere of the Forbidden City.