4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets
Overview
Available languages
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
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
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.)
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
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
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
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
6th of April: Palace+Coal Hill
6th of April: Palace+Coal Hill: 8:00am/13:00 Meet at Donghuamen, Visit Forbidden City and Coal Hill Park.
Starting point:
Donghuamen, China, Bei Jing Shi, Dong Cheng Qu, 景山前街4号 邮政编码: 100006
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
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
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
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
Starting point:
Donghuamen, China, Bei Jing Shi, Dong Cheng Qu, 景山前街4号 邮政编码: 100006
6th of April - Square+Palace
Tian'anmen Square+Palace: 7:30/12:00 Meet at Laoshe Teahouse, visit Tian'anmen Square and Forbidden City
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
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
6th of April 10:00am
6th of April 10:00am: Tian'anmen Square and Forbidden City 4 hours Tour - Meet at Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall, tour start at 10:00am
Starting point:
Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall, 20 Qian Men Dong Da Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100051
Reviews
1,996 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Perfect
Nomad15690091720,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was a very nice visit, Sophie was amazing ☺️
Great experience
Voyage40512687307,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience with Miko as our guide, he was funny and taught us a lot of history regarding the Forbidden City.
Highly recommend
779andrisp,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a great time with Miko visiting the FB. Hassle free access to FC and many great insights from Miko about the history and culture. Top score
Excellent tour with Miko!
58SandyJ,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour with Miko! Would highly recommend. Miko provided a wealth of information showcasing the highlights of the Forbidden City and explaining features of the various buildings and structures, allowing us to imagine how life used to be there. His years of experience as a tour guide and helped us to enjoy the Forbidden and avoid unnecessary crowds and wait times. Thanks Miko!
Great Forbidden City tour
H1132SHchrism,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We enjoyed the tour with Jay and he was very knowledgeable about the attraction. I liked that he knew less crowded places for us to see the palace as well as a break in one of the gardens which was peaceful and relaxing. The forbidden city is very busy so his attempt to avoid the worst of the crowds really added something extra to the tour and made it easier for us all. It was a long tour and Jay managed everything perfectly for the whole time.
Efficient with little stories to get us going
I2052GQthomasm,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Anson was an amazingly effective guide to show us through the complexity of the purple palace in around 2.5 hours. Despite pace, it went smooth with sufficient pauses in the shadow as the weather was sunny and somewhat hot already in April. We were a group of around 20. Explanations were dense but gave a good feel of what the forbidden was about and the crucial aspects of the life of the emperor and his court. But no useless detail. Even our kids did not get bored. Thanks Anson
5 star tour!
Julie S,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A great tour of Tianamen Sq and Forbidden City. Our guide Vivian was brilliant - incredibly knowledgeable about the history and the buildings and delivered all the information in a precise yet entertaining manner. It was our last afternoon in Beijing so didn’t want a tour that lasted too long and this was perfect, in 3 hours we felt we had learned so much - although it would have been possible to stay longer if we had the time. Would highly recommend Vivian and this tour.
Excellent tour with a great guide
pennycZ531LI,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour, guide "Miko" was excellent. So much interesting historical knowledge plus shared insights into life in Beijing today. Passionate about his work and it showed! Cost was well worth it. Very glad I made good use of a free day after visiting Beijing on business. Miko also went the extra mile, ensuring we never had to queue for too long and walking me and some others to the nearest taxi pick up point at the end, helping secure a reasonable "local" price for an onward taxi rather than being charged 5 times the going rate. Thank you!
Our guide Vivian was...
Alexander S,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Vivian was great. She was very informative and able to answer all of our questions and helped us with group photos
10 out of 10
elsaMemmi,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour of the Forbidden City with Ariel was absolutely outstanding. Ariel was incredibly knowledgeable and brought the rich history of the Forbidden City to life with fascinating stories, detailed explanations, and insights that made every part of the experience engaging and memorable. It was clear that Ariel has a deep understanding of the site’s cultural and historical significance, and their passion for sharing that knowledge made the tour especially enjoyable. She also helped us to book a reservation for the museum the next day just out of pure kindness. Very grateful !
From US$30.50
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Operated by Discover Beijing Tours