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

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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 Urban Planning Exhibition Hall

Please note: You must bring actual passport for this tour. This tour have two options Option 1: Tian'anmen Square and Forbidden City Group Tour Start time: 10:00am Meeting point: In front of Beijing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall Option 2: Forbidden City and Coal Hill Park Group Tour (Tour without Tian'anmen Square) Start time: 8:00am and 13:00 Meeting point: In front of Donghuamen (East gat of the Forbidden City) Itinerary: Option 1: Forbidden Cit Tour with Tian'anmen Square Meet your group in front of Beijing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, then follow your tour guide to go through travel agency passage to enter Tian'anmen Square (Tiananmen Square may be closed by the government at any time, so entry isn't guaranteed, since Tian'anmen Square is free so there is no refund ).

10 minutes • Admission Not Applicable
2

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang)

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 (about 109 acres). 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. (Please note: In peak season 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.)

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

If you choose entry ticket option-No Tour Guide Service 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

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

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 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

Reviews

4.90

1,836 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1738
62
12
4
20
  • Great historical tour

    Bernardo G,,Jan 3, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Tour was great, very informative. Sophie is a great tour guide and helped to understand the different aspects of the dynastys. This is a very historical tour. Be ready to walk a lot.

  • Guide is amazing

    Rafael S,,Jan 3, 2026

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    Mike is so wonderful guide! We had an magical hours with Mike in the forbidden city this morning with my family

  • I had an interesting and enjoyful experience with Beijing Forbidden tour

    quangvinht2026,,Jan 2, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    We had a great time with tour-guide Anson for Forbidden city tour on 1st of Jan. We did enjoy the interesting and deep stories of old Beijing. Tour-guide, Mr. Anson is professional and enthusiastic Thank you very much .

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  • Forbidden city historical tour

    vladimirbZ2930PG,,Jan 2, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Great tour by Miko! Very informative and in depth, we were happy with expirience and with knowledge passed on. I highly recommend the tour to others!

  • Excellent Forbidden City Tour with Anson!!

    804stefanoa,,Jan 2, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    We had a great experience touring the Forbidden City in Beijing with Anson. He was extremely knowledgeable and explained the history in a clear and engaging way. The tour was well organized, and Anson was happy to answer all our questions. I highly recommend him to anyone visiting the Forbidden City.

  • Tony is number 1

    lukegB8296MX,,Jan 2, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Tony is the best tour guide , I give you service at ten out of ten i can't believe what I experienced, how did I get so lucky getting on this tour

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  • Perfect guide!!

    242cl udiam,,Jan 2, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    The guide gave loads of interesting information, was friendly and caring. We are very happy with the tour. Thanks a lot for creating this good memory

  • УGreat experience in the Forbidden City Beijing

    32kseniias,,Jan 1, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    The excursion was excellent! There were quite few people but very positive and friendly and our guide Miko Lee could organise us perfectly. He is very knowledgeable and expirienced guide, always tried to interact and involve us in discussions, showed some hidden spots and told some facts you won’t be able to find or to hear from others. I highly recommend this excursion and Miko! Much gratitude for the organisation!)

  • Great tour

    NGbrews,,Jan 1, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Anson gave a great tour of the Forbidden City and we learned a lot! It was a well paced tour and a small group - overall a good experience

  • Sophie was an excellent...

    rebecca l,,Dec 31, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    Sophie was an excellent tour guide for our 4-hour visit to Tiananmen and Forbidden City. She was very knowledgeable and curated the experience thoughtfully for us. Her explanations of the history were clear and engaging, and she brought the place to life with interesting stories along the way. Highly recommended.

From US$15.00

4.90
(1,836 reviews)
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