Travel Plan
Forbidden City

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ATTRACTION GUIDE · BEIJING

Forbidden City

The vast imperial palace of the Ming and Qing emperors: 600 years of halls, courtyards and golden roofs.

Tickets & tours Open in Google Maps
Time needed
Half a day
Entry
Paid (book ahead)
Best time
Morning
Area
Dongcheng

The vast imperial palace of the Ming and Qing emperors, with almost 1,000 buildings.

Where it is & how to get there

Address: 4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng, Beijing

  • Metro: Tian'anmen East or West (line 1), then walk north through Tian'anmen.
  • Tickets: Must be booked online in advance with your passport; daily limits apply.
  • Closed: Usually closed on Mondays except holidays.

The story of the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City was built between 1406 and 1420 and was home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for nearly 500 years. Ordinary people could not enter without permission — hence its name.

Today it is the Palace Museum, with nearly a thousand buildings and a vast collection of art. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Best time to visit

Best season

April–May and September–October.

Best time of day

Opening time.

Holidays

Extremely crowded during Chinese public holidays.

Tips before you go

  • Book tickets online days ahead and bring your passport. Closed on Mondays.
  • Book tickets as soon as they open (usually 7 days ahead).
  • Climb Jingshan Park afterwards for the view over the golden roofs.

Best hotels near the Forbidden City

Well-known hotels within easy reach. Check prices and availability for your dates.

The Peninsula Beijing

Luxury hotel near Wangfujing.

See prices

Waldorf Astoria Beijing

Hotel close to the Forbidden City.

See prices

Aman Summer Palace

Courtyard hotel beside the Summer Palace.

See prices
All hotels near the Forbidden City

What's around the Forbidden City

  • Jingshan ParkHill with palace views.
  • Tian'anmen SquareSouth of the palace.
  • Beihai ParkLake park.
  • Niujie MosqueBeijing's oldest mosque, about 20 minutes by taxi.

Questions travellers ask

Do I need to book?

Yes, online with your passport.

Is it open on Mondays?

Usually no.

Is there a mosque in Beijing?

Yes, the historic Niujie Mosque.

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Travel Plan · Forbidden City Travel times, prices and opening hours change. Check official sites before you go. Photos: Unsplash. Privacy & disclosure