Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking (Optional: guide service)
Overview
Mobile ticket
Get your direct entry Forbidden City admission ticket to explore this impressive attraction during your Beijing trip. Discover the secrets that have been hidden since Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty (1420 to 1912). This city was constructed from 1406 to 1420. The city consists of 980 buildings! Have fun spending the day looking at priceless Chinese artifacts.
Please note:
• Passport name and number is required at time of booking for “all participants” upon booking
• This ticket product offers you direct entry to Forbidden City with your Passport
• This is Forbidden City ticket not including Tiananmen Square reservation, you can just take a taxi to East gate or West Gate of Forbidden City and walk to the Main entrace South Gate (Meridian Gate 午门） to enter to Forbidden City directly. No need pass through Tiananmen Square.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please note: Passport name and number is required at time of booking for “all participants” upon booking
Passport is required for all travelers on the day of travel for direct entry. (not for Chinese tourist, Chinese tourist must buy the ticket by ID card information)
Please ensure all travelers' passport number and full name (must match your passport) is provided and accurate upon booking. Otherwise, you won't be able to access to the attraction
Chinese tourists( including Taiwan and Hongkong ) must book over 8 days in advance.
Children must be accompanied by an adult
If children's height over 1.2 meters (3'9"), please purchase Youth Ticket upon booking (under 1.2 meters is free to join) Please ensure you follow this restriction upon booking. Don't be risky as Forbidden City will not let your kids in for free if the height is over 1.2 meters.
This is only pre-booking service, if we get the ticket then the comfirmation letter will received 7 days in advance.
The ticket is only valid on the day you book to travel
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
The Palace Museum
After booking with your passport name and number (for all participants), you can access to the Forbidden City directly through the security check and by showing your passport at the main entrance, Meridian Gate. Forbidden City Schedule: • Peak Season: April 1st to October 31st (Tuesday to Sunday) - Last Entry is at 16:00 • Summer Vacation: July to August (Monday to Sunday) - Last Entry is at 16:00 • Slow Season: November 1st to March 31st (Tuesday to Sunday) - Last Entry is at 15:30 Please note: • This is pre booking service, the comfirmation will send 7 days before the tour date. • Passport name and number is required at time of booking for “all participants” upon booking • This ticket product offers you direct entry to Forbidden City with your Passport
Hall of Middle Harmony (Zhonghe Dian)
Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe Dian) also called 'Hall of Golden Throne', is the grandest hall in the palace and the largest wooden structure in China.
What‘s Included
Admission ticket
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting points
The Palace Museum
No.4 Jingshanqian Street, Beijing China
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Options
Ticket+guide(Chinese tourist)
For Chinese(HK,Taiwan tourist): Meeting point: Meet infront of Kapok Hotel （东华门木棉花酒店)，Address: No.16th. Donghuamen road, Dongcheng district.
Ticket+Tour guide(Foreigner)
Meeting point: : Meet infront of Kapok Hotel （东华门木棉花酒店)，Address: No.16th. Donghuamen road, Dongcheng district.
Available for foreigners:: English speaking tour guide, Only applicable to tourists holding foreign passports.
Afternoon Entrance Ticket
No Guide Include
Meeting point: Scan passports to enter the Forbidden City from Meridian Gate. No meeting point, find your own way to get there.
Enter between 11:00a.m-3:00p.m: Provide all the visitor's passport name an numbers to book this ticket. This is Forbidden City entrance ticket.
AM Entrance +Treasure gallery
No Guide Include
Meeting point:: Scan passports to enter the Forbidden City from Meridian Gate. No meeting point, find your own way to get there.
Enter between 8:30am-12:00pm: Provide all the visitor's passport name and numbers. This is Forbidden City entrance ticket+treasures gallery ticket.
Morning Entrance Ticket
No Guide Include
Meeting point: Scan passports to enter the Forbidden City from Meridian Gate. No meeting point, find your own way to get there.
Enter between 8:30a.m-12:00p.m: Provide all the visitor's passport name an numbers to book this ticket. This is Forbidden City entrance ticket.
PM Entrance +Treasure gallery
No Guide Include
Meeting point:: Scan passports to enter the Forbidden City from Meridian Gate. No meeting point, find your own way to get there.
Enter between 11:00a.m-3:00p.m: Provide all the visitor's passport name and numbers . This is Forbidden City entrance ticket+treasures gallery ticket.
Reviews
1,263 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A well organised tour with a lovely guide
455drr,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great experience with Lily's Tours, Beijing and especially with our guide Maggie who was friendly, knowledgeable and organised, and really cared for our family group on a very cold day. Our English-speaking group also appreciated Maggie's easy fluency in English, which really added to the experience.
Great Tour with Bobo
Zelena C,,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Such a good tour with Bobo! So interesting to learn about the complex and vast history of the Forbidden City, including various little details that people typically don’t realise! Thank you Bobo for being so warm and friendly, yet so knowledgeable about the Forbidden City.
Great experience
freddiepengfeil,,Jan 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience, Marco is a brilliant and knowledgeable tour guide! He knows what he’s doing and are very punctual! He also recommended some great to do spots out side of the forbidden city which are all awesome
A flexible, private tour of Beijing's top attractions: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall.
Alberto Herrera G,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lucy, our guide, was a true delight, With history lessons, shining ever so bright! ✨ Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City's grand lore, And the Great Wall's tales, we wanted still more!She answered our questions, with knowledge and grace, And captured our smiles, in each memorable place. 😄 Professional, yet funny, a perfect blend, A tour with Lucy, is time well spent! We highly recommend her, a gem to behold, A story of China, beautifully told! 🇨🇳
Recommend! Would book again
Finja B,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very nice trip to the Great Wall! Convenient meeting point, around 1,5 hours drive each way. Your guide informs you about different booking options for cable ways on the area. You explore the Wall on your own for about 5 hours. Perfect trip if you want a secure transportation, a guide for the bus transport (including shuttle bus on the area) and spend time on your own while being there :) Our guide Lucy was super
An Amazing experience with Bobo
momojaddidy,,Jan 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Visiting the Forbidden Palace with Lily’s Tour company with here guide Bobo was one of our best experiences in Beijing. Bobo shared the history of Ching & Ming dynasties and the history at each part of the palace with such passion and enthusiasm. We definitely recommend Lily’s tour company to future visitors. Please, ask for Bobo as your guide as she will make your tour that much more special
A heart warming tour
cindygL4636QD,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We spent half a day exploring the Forbidden City with our tour guide, Summer. She was incredibly hospitable and thoughtful—she even handed out heat patches in this extremely cold weather to keep us warm, which really warmed our hearts too. We highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a great experience!
my daughter only wanted to take a picture with her
gyorgym2026,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Marco even solved the survey problem quickly. She is very prepared, in a good mood and speaks clearly. The stories were great. She held a real touristic presentation. In the end, my daughter only wanted to take a picture with her. We had a good time at full length, she is a gem. We even avoided the crowds by her.
great tour
taniahF5524QO,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The forbidden city's tour was amazing.Summer shared so many captivating stories with us—they really made the whole tour stand out, and her service was fantastic too.
The forbidden city is...
Martina H,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The forbidden city is definitely worthwhile. We managed to make our own way by metro but that was a bit of a challenge because of language difficulties and Tianmen Square requires a separate ticket. In hindsight, I would book the guided tour with T. Square and the forbidden city.
From US$9.98
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