Tour Finder
  1. Home
  2. 4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets

4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets

Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5
Image 6
Image 7
Image 8

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

Ideal for history, culture, architecture, and museum enthusiasts, this tour embodies the popular saying: "70% of visiting the Forbidden City is learning its stories, 30% is seeing the palaces". Over this 4-hour walking experience, you’ll pause at key spots for engaging "story time"—gaining deep insights into its rich culture—while exploring major buildings and courtyards. With small group size, you’ll enjoy personalized attention from your guide. Entrance fees are included. Alternatively, you may opt for our Forbidden City ticket-only service and explore independently at your own pace.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

Your passport name and number are required at time of booking (for all participants)

Please don't forget to bring your passport, you may be refused entry without it.

0-3 Years old infant is free, children have to purchase tickets as well

Tian'anmen Square might close without advance notice due to government activity, if this happens you will skip the Square

Tour departs punctually. Please arrive 10 minutes early. Once the tour left, you are unable to join the tour, and this tour is not refundable.

Chinese citizens, including customers from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, need to reserve the tickets for the Palace Museum 7 days in advance. Once the tickets for the Palace Museum are sold out, it will be impossible to participate in this itinerary. In addition, according to the regulations of the Palace Museum, Chinese citizens can only choose to reserve tickets with their ID cards. Therefore, when making a reservation, it is necessary to submit the Chinese name and ID card number, and on the day of the tour, the submitted ID document must be presented to join the tour group.

In case of peak travel seasons and when all the tickets reserved online for the scenic area are sold out, tourists are required to go to the ticket office of the scenic area by themselves under the guidance of the tour guide to handle the purchase of paper tickets on-site. Please be informed.

Since this is a small - group itinerary, your punctual arrival at the meeting point is essential for a seamless travel experience. Tiananmen Square and the Palace Museum have strict regulations and procedures. If you are late, it may unfortunately prevent you from joining the tour and entering the Palace Museum. Due to the unique nature of the itinerary arrangements, in the event that lateness causes you to miss the tour, we regret that we will not be able to process a refund. We highly recommend that you communicate with your hotel in advance to accurately confirm the travel time from the hotel to the meeting point and make sufficient preparations. This way, you can embark on your journey with ease and enjoy every moment of it.

In Peak season, the security checks at Tiananmen Square are particularly stringent. If the waiting time exceeds one hour, we recommend considering a bus ride that passes by the square. Given the sweltering heat, waiting in line for an extended period increases the risk of heat - related illnesses. Additionally, spending too much time at the square could detract from your experience at the iconic Forbidden City, which is a highlight of our tour. We will only proceed with this alternative if the majority of the group is in agreement. Please keep this in mind as we plan our visit.

This tour is not recommended for travelers with physical/visual impairments or mobility restrictions due to varied terrain (underground passages, stairs) and the length of the tour. Please note that this tour covers 4 hours of walking.

This tour is not recommended for travelers with physical/visual impairments or mobility restrictions due to varied terrain (underground passages, stairs) and the length of the tour. Please note that this tour covers 4 hours of walking.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

1

Beijing

Please note that we have three different tour packages available. Please choose according to your needs, and check carefully the different meeting points and times for each option. You must bring your actual valid passport for this tour. Option 1 Tian’anmen Square & Forbidden City Group Tour Start time: 10:00 am Meeting point: In front of Beijing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall Option 2 Forbidden City & Coal Hill Park Group Tour (without Tian’anmen Square) Start time: 8:00 am & 13:00 pm Meeting point: In front of Donghuamen (East Gate of the Forbidden City) Option 3 Tian’anmen Square & Forbidden City Group Tour Start time: 7:30 am & 12:00 pm Meeting point: In front of Laoshe Teahouse

Admission Not Applicable
2

Tiananmen Square

For Option 1 & 3: You will visit Tian'anmen Square first. Tiananmen Square is the geographical center of Beijing City. It is the largest city square in the world, occupying an area of 440,000 square meters. Followed by your expert and professional guide, a very informative introduction of the Tian'anmen square and surrounding buildings will be given to your group, as everyone moves along towards to the Forbidden City. (Note: In peak season security checks at Tiananmen Square are particularly stringent. If the waiting time exceeds 1 hour, we recommend considering a bus ride that passes by the square. Additionally, spending too much time at the square could detract from your experience at the iconic Forbidden City, which is a highlight of our tour. We will only proceed with this alternative if the majority of the group is in agreement. Please keep this in mind as we plan our visit.)

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

If you choose the Coal Hill Park option then entry ticket is included

Group tour includes a professional guide

Fobiddden city entrance fee

If you choose the Tian'anmen Square option entry ticket is included

Hotel pick up and drop-off

Gratuites

If you choose option: Tian'anmen Square and Forbidden City, you will not visit Coal Hill Park

If you choose Forbidden City and Coal Hill Park option, you will not visit Tian'anmen Square

Please note: For ticket-only bookings, visit independently (no guide, no meeting point)

Options

Tian'anmen & Forbidden City

Tian'anmen & Forbidden City: Available at 7:30AM and 12:00PM, including entry to Tian’anmen Square (free)&the Forbidden City. Meet at Laoshe Teahouse.
Duration: 3 hours
Starting point:
Lao She's Teahouse, China, Bei Jing Shi, Xi Cheng Qu, Qian Men Xi Da Jie, 正阳市场3号楼 邮政编码: 100031

Forbidden City Entry Ticket

Forbidden City Entry Ticket: This option to book your Forbidden City Ticket-No Tour-No Guide. You will enter Forbidden City by scan everyone's passport
No meeting point : Forbidden City ticket booking only. Visit independently:Go straight to Meridian Gate, scan passport to enter,no meeting point
Starting point:
Donghuamen, China, Bei Jing Shi, Dong Cheng Qu, 景山前街4号 邮政编码: 100006

May 4th:Square+Forbidden City

May 4th: Square+Forbidden City: The Forbidden City is open on Mondays during public holidays, and this tour covers both Tian’anmen Square & Forbidden City

Tiananmen Square+ForbiddenCity

Tiananmen Square+ForbiddenCity: This option including Entry Tickets to Tian'anmen Square and Forbidden City. Please arrive before 9:50am
Beijing Planning Exhibition: You can reach here by taxi: 请带我去北京城市规划馆前门东大街20号, subway line 2 at Qianmen Station, exit E2, then walking 400 meters.
Starting point:
Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall, 20 Qian Men Dong Da Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100051

May 4th: Square+Palace

May 4th: Square+Palace: The Forbidden City is open on Mondays during public holidays, and this tour covers both Tian’anmen Square&the Forbidden City

Forbidden City+Coal Hill Tour

This option including entry ticket to the Forbidden city&Coal Hill park. Tour start at 8:00 or 13:00without Tian'anmen square
Meeting point: Donghuamen: You can reach here by taxi 请带我去故宫东华门, by subway line 8 at Jingyu Hutong Station, exit C, then walking 700 meters
Starting point:
Donghuamen, China, Bei Jing Shi, Dong Cheng Qu, 景山前街4号 邮政编码: 100006

Forbidden City&Coal Hill Park

Forbidden City&Coal Hill Park: This option including entry ticket to the Forbidden city&Coal Hill park. Tour start at 8:00 or 13:00without Tian'anmen square
Meeting point: Donghuamen: You can reach here by taxi 请带我去故宫东华门, by subway line 8 at Jingyu Hutong Station, exit C, then walking 700 meters

May 4th: Forbidden City+Coal

May 4th: Forbidden City+Coal : The Forbidden City is open on Mondays during public holidays, and this tour covers both the Forbidden City&Coal Hill Park

Tiananmen Square+Forbiddencity

This option including Entry Tickets to Tian'anmen Square and Forbidden City. Please arrive before 9:50am
Beijing Planning Exhibition: You can reach here by taxi: 请带我去北京城市规划馆前门东大街20号, subway line 2 at Qianmen Station, exit E2, then walking 400 meters.
Starting point:
Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall, 20 Qian Men Dong Da Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100051

Reviews

4.91

1,898 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1800
62
12
4
20
  • Highlight of China

    deniss910,,Feb 23, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    We had a great time with Mina as our tour guide. Definitely the highlight of our trip in China so far. As a tour guide she was faultless and very patient. Giving us time to take photos and answering every little question we had.

    deniss910's photo 1
    deniss910's photo 2
  • Fantastic afternoon with John

    anitabW2136YC,,Feb 22, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    John was great, very informative and friendly. We were guided through each part with expertise and we felt very at ease the whole time!

  • Great

    Loic L,,Feb 21, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Thank u Tony, it was great. Great guide and very well organised. Perfect way to explore the Forbidden City when in Beijing.

  • Guide goes above and beyond

    E8552LXlisal,,Feb 21, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Going on tours at a new destination is a must to understand the place, and our guide Tony delivered these cultural explanations very well. He truly went above and beyond for our group of six. He helped us all personally to find the location, then explained in detail all the astrological beliefs behind the architecture of the Forbidden City, showed us the slightly hidden gem that is the palace museum, took beautiful pictures for us, and at the end, he booked us tickets for the best acrobatics show in Beijing. Tony is an absolute sweetheart that went way beyond our expectations and honestly beyond what we deserved, what with one of us forgetting the passport at home and coming 40 minutes late.

  • Thank you Miko!

    satmohanp,,Feb 19, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Such a brilliant morning with Miko... so much incredible information.. We loved the tour and learning about the amazing history of the Forbidden City and Tian'anmen square... Thank you Miko!

  • Forbidden city tour

    923ezram,,Feb 19, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Nice tour! Thank you Mina. Note that it's busy during spring holiday

  • A tour of the Forbidden City

    310krystianw,,Feb 18, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Tony is the best. Everything was in perfect order. I recommend it.

  • Maria was a great tour...

    Ali T,,Feb 17, 2026

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    Maria was a great tour guide for how hectic it is to follow in a group throughout the forbidden city she did a great job keeping us together and checking in on us! Very knowledgeable about the whole area and checking in on us :)

  • Great guide for the Forbidden City. Thank you Mina!

    alepS7559GG,,Feb 15, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    The tour was great! I would have been lost in this overwhelmingly big building complex. Guide Mina pointed out a lot of things which I would have missed and never noticed on my own. I especially enjoyed the insights into imperial life and how the architecture connects to Chinese traditional principles. 100% recommended!

  • Happy informative tour!

    alyssamT5928QH,,Feb 14, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Tony was a great tour guide! He taught a lot of interesting history and took our photos in the best spots. So nice and positive. The forbidden city is definitely a must in Beijing and I’m so glad to be able to experience it knowing the history behind everything now.

From US$14.00

4.91
(1,898 reviews)
Check availability

Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour

  • messenger
  • whatpsapp
  • zalo

Related Experiences

All-Inclusive Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall

All-Inclusive Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall

4.98
Private Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall Lift Way Up & Toboggan Down

Private Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall Lift Way Up & Toboggan Down

4.98
 Beijing Private Tour: 2 Days Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall VIP Tour

Beijing Private Tour: 2 Days Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall VIP Tour

4.98
Beijing Essential Full-Day Tour including Great Wall at Badaling, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

Beijing Essential Full-Day Tour including Great Wall at Badaling, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

4.53
Beijing Full Day Tours: Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City, Great Wall

Beijing Full Day Tours: Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City, Great Wall

4.94
Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Private Tour

Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Private Tour

5.00
Beijing to Xi'an See Terracotta Warriors with Bullet Train Round Trip Transfer

Beijing to Xi'an See Terracotta Warriors with Bullet Train Round Trip Transfer

5.00
Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven

Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven

4.21
Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace

Private Full Day Tour: Forbidden City, Tiananmen & Summer Palace

4.97
Beijing Mutianyu or Badaling Great Wall Private Tour with Options

Beijing Mutianyu or Badaling Great Wall Private Tour with Options

4.98
Forbidden City&T-Square Small GroupTours w/ ticket(Eng/Esp Guide)

Forbidden City&T-Square Small GroupTours w/ ticket(Eng/Esp Guide)

4.89
Small Group Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall, Summer Palace & Bird Nest

Small Group Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall, Summer Palace & Bird Nest

4.84

Operated by Discover Beijing Tours

A product of Trip Social Group

Australia: Pavel Australia Pty Ltd

Việt Nam: Công ty TNHH Trip Social

top-50

Winner - HO CHI MINH INNOVATIVE STARTUPS IN TOURISM 2022.

Quick links

Destinations

Contact us

  • zalo
  • whatpsapp
  • messenger
Travelling effortlessly, together

© 2026 Trip Social Group. All rights reserved. ABN 37 629 297 507

    Accepted Payment Methods

  • visa
  • visa
  • visa
  • jcb
  • paypal