Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking (Optional: guide service)
Overview
Mobile ticket
Get your direct entry Forbidden City admission ticket to explore this impressive attraction during your Beijing trip. Discover the secrets that have been hidden since Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty (1420 to 1912). This city was constructed from 1406 to 1420. The city consists of 980 buildings! Have fun spending the day looking at priceless Chinese artifacts.
Please note:
• Passport name and number is required at time of booking for “all participants” upon booking
• This ticket product offers you direct entry to Forbidden City with your Passport
• This is Forbidden City ticket not including Tiananmen Square reservation, you can just take a taxi to East gate or West Gate of Forbidden City and walk to the Main entrace South Gate (Meridian Gate 午门） to enter to Forbidden City directly. No need pass through Tiananmen Square.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please note: Passport name and number is required at time of booking for “all participants” upon booking
Passport is required for all travelers on the day of travel for direct entry. (not for Chinese tourist, Chinese tourist must buy the ticket by ID card information)
Chinese tourists( including Taiwan and Hongkong ) must book over 8 days in advance.
This is only pre-booking service, if we get the ticket then the comfirmation letter will received 6 days in advance.
The ticket is only valid on the day you book to travel
Please note that Chinese nationals including visitors from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan must book tickets 7 days in advance for the Forbidden City. We cannot accept any bookings made within 7 days of the visit date.
What To Expect
Meridian Gate (Wu Men)
After booking with your passport name and number (for all participants), you can access to the Forbidden City directly through the security check and by showing your passport at the main entrance, Meridian Gate. Forbidden City Schedule: • Peak Season: April 1st to October 31st (Tuesday to Sunday) - Last Entry is at 16:00 • Summer Vacation: July to August (Monday to Sunday) - Last Entry is at 16:00 • Slow Season: November 1st to March 31st (Tuesday to Sunday) - Last Entry is at 15:30 Please note: • This is pre booking service, the comfirmation will send 7 days before the tour date. • Passport name and number is required at time of booking for “all participants” upon booking • This ticket product offers you direct entry to Forbidden City with your Passport For Forbidden City group tour: Please meet at Kapok Hotel Donghuamen.
Hall of Middle Harmony (Zhonghe Dian)
Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe Dian) also called 'Hall of Golden Throne', is the grandest hall in the palace and the largest wooden structure in China.
Options
Morning Entry Ticket
Entry 8:30 A.M –12:00 P.M: Excluding the Treasure Gallery and the Clock Gallery. No guide included: No meeting point, please scan your passport to enter the Forbidden City at the Meridian Gate. Please make your own way there. Note: Please submit all guests' full names and passport numbers for reservation. Entry is valid with passports only.
Afternoon Entry Ticket
Entry 11:10 A.M–15:00 P.M: Excluding the Treasure Gallery and the Clock Gallery. No guide included: No meeting point, please scan your passport to enter the Forbidden City at the Meridian Gate. Please make your own way there. Note: Please submit all guests' full names and passport numbers for reservation. Entry is valid with passports only.
Forbidden City group tour
Ticket+Tour guide(Foreigner): For foreign guests only. English-speaking tour guide + entrance ticket. Only available for tourists with foreign passports. Meeting point: Meet infront of Kapok Hotel （东华门木棉花酒店)，Address: No.16th. Donghuamen road, Dongcheng district. Duration: 3 hours Booking within 6 days: We recommend booking your tour as early as possible. Otherwise, international visitors may need to queue up at the entrance. Note: : Visitors from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan are only accepted for bookings of 8 days in advance or longer.
Main Entry +Treasure Gallery
Morning/Afternoon timed ticket: 【8:30 slot: Morning ticket, entry 8:30 A.M–12:00 P.M】// 【11:00 slot: Afternoon ticket, entry 11:10 A.M–15:00 p.M】 No guide included: No meeting point, please scan your passport to enter the Forbidden City at the Meridian Gate. Please make your own way there. Note: Please provide all visitors’ full names and passport numbers to book it, and your passports will serve as your entry ticket.
What‘s Included
Admission ticket
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting points
Meridian Gate (Wu Men)
The Entrance Gates Of Gugong, Beijing China
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
1,467 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fantastic experience in imperial city
286vivik,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The weather was very good we spent a wonderful day in the forbidden city,thanks to our amazing guide Summr,she was very kind patient and friendly,we got to know a lot of chinese history from her,highly recommend this tour to everyone who is visiting beijing!
It was a very easy and...
Wilhelm L,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a very easy and convenient way to get tickets. We didn’t book a guide. Be prepared for large crowds and people poking you with umbrellas.
Great tour
joshrE475LW,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a great tour with Rita! She was very knowledgable about the history of the people and dynasties that lived in this space. I recommend this tour.
Informative Walking Tour Amazing Place
Natalie H,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Rita was wonderful. Her English was very good and she provided so many historic facts it really enriched the tour. The day was hot and she guided us to the few shady spots when she was going to be speaking for more than a few minutes. Great job! Would highly recommend!!!! For people reading this if it is a summer day please come prepared. The sun is strong and the majority of the Forbidden City is paved adding to the heat. There are water breaks but sun gear is needed.
I had a great time seeing...
Nailen M,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I had a great time seeing the Forbidden City with Rita. I was the only person who showed up for my time slot, so I had a private tour all to myself! She shared lots of interesting stories about the history of the Imperial Palace, the succession of emperors, daily life inside the walls, political intrigue, and more. I feel like I learned a ton, more than I expected. There were a lot of interesting artifacts on display, and even though some spots were quite crowded, people cycled through fast enough that I was able to get a good picture of everything I wanted.
Engaging tour!
Hope P,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Sofia was a great a guide — very knowledgeable and engaging, she really brought the city to life!!!!
Skip the stress, book here
Mark L,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I can’t recommend Sophia enough for anyone visiting the Forbidden City. She was incredibly informative and detailed, bringing each hall and courtyard to life with historical context and little-known facts. Honestly, trying to navigate the Forbidden City without a guide would have been overwhelming – there’s very limited information on-site about each location, and you’d miss so much of the story. We were lucky to have a small group – just 6 people total, including my own group of 4. That made the experience feel personal and easygoing. Sophia also provided earpieces, so we could hear every word clearly even when there were crowds around. Communication before the trip was excellent too. She coordinated everything seamlessly – from confirming passport numbers to arranging the meet-up location. Everything went smoothly.
Forbidden City Tours
Jane C,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Quite a lot of walking, possibly better in cooler weather. Sophia very knowledgeable. Small group tour.
Underwhelming...
HKertland,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00I hate to say this, but we found the Forbidden City underwhelming! The main reason is that you can't go inside any of the buildings, and thus it becomes a big tour of the outside of many buildings that look the same. Our guide, Olivia, struggled with English - a heavy Chinese accent made it difficult to understand her unfortunately. I can understand why you can't go inside - way too many people. And, those sheer numbers of people spoiled the day as well, because you were constantly trying to work against them. I would go, yes, but keep your expectations in check...
Excellent day with Sofia
Diana C,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Just did this today and we had Sofia as our guide. She was excellent and very knowledgeable about the whole site we learned a lot that we wouldn't have on our own. She was also well organized and made the whole trip seamless. I would recommend this tour with Sofia to anyone visiting. Thanks for a great time.
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