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 groups limited to 15 people, 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.
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.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
If you choose the Coal Hill Park option then entry ticket is included
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)
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 ).
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.)
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
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 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
1,658 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Daniele N,
Oct 6, 2025
- Viator
The four-and-a-half-hour visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City was a truly wonderful experience, not only because of their beauty but above all because of the explanations and stories that our guide, Jay, provided us with. Jay is very friendly and talkative and will accompany you on this tour, telling you about the history and showing you details that are worth mentioning, all in truly perfect and understandable English.
Rushay N,
Oct 4, 2025
- Viator
Tony was a great guide! Guided us promptly from the pickup point through the heavy security perimeter, and gave interesting information through the square and the Palace Museum. Thank you!
Alex H,
Oct 2, 2025
- Viator
Claire was a really good guide, funny and informative with good English. The tour is probably just about right in terms of length, any longer and you'd be struggling. We got plenty of time in both Tianenmen Square and the Forbidden Palace, and got there early enough that the square wasn't absolutely heaving. Good explanations of both areas that you wouldn't grasp if you don't understand Mandarin Chinese. No complaints here!
Michael C,
Sep 30, 2025
- Viator
The tour guide, Mina, was excellent. She helped us navigate the many queues to get into Tiananmen and the Forbidden City. She was also very knowledgeable about the history of these places. I was glad to finally get a chance to see such iconic locations, and having a guide like Mina was essential, I think.
MariaLaura V,
Sep 28, 2025
- Viator
Very prepared and kind guide. Experience to recommend. Excellent organization. The Forbidden City is wonderful.
Operated by Discover Beijing Tours