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 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.
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.
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: 7:30 am & 9:30am & 11:30am Meeting point: In front of Laoshe Teahouse Option 2 2.5 Hour Forbidden City (without Tian’anmen Square) Start time: 8:00 am Meeting point: In front of Donghuamen (East Gate of the Forbidden City) Option 3 2 Hour Forbidden City Group Tour Start time: 9:00 AM, 12:30PM & 2:00 PM Meet at Meridian Gate (the main entrance of the Forbidden City)
Tiananmen Square
For Option 1: 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.)
If you choose 2 Hour Forbidden City Tour, you will only visit Forbidden City
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
Meals
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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
Duration: 2 hours 2‑hour Forbidden City: 2‑hour Forbidden City‑only tour with entry ticket and English‑speaking guide. Meeting point: Meridian Gate (main entrance of Starting point: Meridian Gate, 4 Jing Shan Qian Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, China, 100006
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
This option including entry ticket to the Forbidden city and 2.5 hour guided tour without visit the 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
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
5th of Oct: Palace+Coal Hill: 8:00am Meet at Donghuamen, You will enjoy 2.5 hour guided tour of the Forbidden City Starting point: Donghuamen, China, Bei Jing Shi, Dong Cheng Qu, 景山前街4号 邮政编码: 100006
Tian'anmen Square+Palace: Tour Start at 7:30, 9:30 or 11:30am. Meet in front of Laoshe Teahouse, you will 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
Duration: 2 hours 2 Hour Forbidden City: Meet in front of Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City at 9:00am, 12:30&14:00. Visit Forbidden City Only. Tickets are included. 2‑hour Forbidden City: 2‑hour Forbidden City‑only tour with entry ticket and English‑speaking guide. Meeting point: Meridian Gate (main entrance) Starting point: Meridian Gate, 4 Jing Shan Qian Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, China, 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
Duration: 3 hours TiananmenSquare&Forbidden City: Meet at Laoshe Teahouse: 7:30AM & 9:30AM &11:30AM. Tour including entry to Tian’anmen Square&the 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: 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
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
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
2,055 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
helenandpaul13,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Went here with my wife after staff at the hotel booked this for us. They even organised a taxi for us to take us to the meeting point. At the meeting area we met with our guide and then we walked to the Forbidden City. When we walked in we need to hand over our passports so the guide could get the entry passes for us. Once she returned she took us through the bag searched and passport checks into the city itself. It is enormous. We saw an Old Opera Theatre, the Jewel House which is magnificent and other areas including an area which held the concubines etc. It was very hot and there were few places to hide from the sun so in the height of the summer it will be scorching. However, the guide was wonderful and she gave us a long history of the place. The only difficulty we had was at the end because after the tour finished we could not find our way out to the exit gate. The place is enormous and so well looked after. This is not to be missed when visiting Beijing. In summary, a wonderful place.




evgeniouu,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
We chose to do the Tiananmen Square and forbidden city tour. Even though it was a hot day our tour guide Jimmy made sure to give us enough time in shaded areas, which made the whole thing very easy. It was all very informative and would 100% recommend. Thank you JIMMY!!!
mariuss597,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Had a very good tour with Miko. Good insights, good pace. We had a small group so everyone had time to ask Miko questions.
terom2013,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Mike was a great and fun guide.
angelvinparma,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
John has been very informative and detailed guide. Enjoyed the past 2.5 hours tour with him.
300frederikh,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
We had a great time. Our guide - Miko - was very good! Engaging, interactive and also very good English articulation! Very recommendable.
catherinetK2860YZ,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Lovely informative guide Anson was really interesting- lots of fascinating snippets about The Forbidden City
MyScreenName8700,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Ariel was an amazing guide. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Ear pieces were great to hear in the crowd/large crowds. She reached out the day before to confirm the meeting spot - and checked in on us when we were running a bit late. She took the extra step to reach out to my local colleague who was meeting us after the tour to let them know what gate and roughly what time we would be there. I would recommend the tour to anyone who needs an English tour.
jaspeivett,May 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Excellent tour guide, very knowledgeable.
lucuanam,May 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Kindness and availability for a wonderful visit guided by Jimmy

Operated by Discover Beijing Tours