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
Forbidden City & Great Wall
Duration: 11 hours
Mini group day tour: Visit the Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall.
Meet at Grand Hotel Beijing. Meeting time: around 7:40 am
Please arrive 5 minutes early: Subway: Line 1/8 Wangfujing Station Exit: C(Southwest) Walk: 3 mins west
By Taxi: 35 East Chang'an Avenue, Dongcheng District
Included: Entrance tickets, lunch, tour guide, driver, round-trip Great Wall cable car or togoggan.
Forbidden City group tour
Ticket+Tour guide(Foreigner): For foreign guests only. English-speaking tour guide + entrance ticket.
Only available for tourists with foreign passports.
Meeting point: Meet infront of Kapok Hotel （东华门木棉花酒店)，Address: No.16th. Donghuamen road, Dongcheng district.
Main Gate +Treasure Gallery
Morning/Afternoon timed ticket: 【8:30 slot: Morning ticket, entry 8:30 A.M–12:00 P.M】//
【11:00 slot: Afternoon ticket, entry 11:10 A.M–15:00 p.M】
No guide included: No meeting point, please scan your passport to enter the Forbidden City at the Meridian Gate. Please make your own way there.
Note: Please provide all visitors’ full names and passport numbers to book it, and your passports will serve as your entry ticket.
Main Gate Ticket
Morning/Afternoon timed ticket: 【8:30 slot: Morning ticket, entry 8:30 A.M –12:00 P.M】//
【11:00 slot: Afternoon ticket, entry 11:10 A.M–15:00 P.M】
No guide included: No meeting point, please scan your passport to enter the Forbidden City at the Meridian Gate. Please make your own way there.
Note: Please provide all visitors’ full names and passport numbers to book it, and your passports will serve as your entry ticket.
Reviews
1,335 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Beautiful forbidden city
K2727QIjakeh,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My tourguide summer was very good at explaining the history of the forbidden city. Even under time constraints, she managed to provide a very good experience.
Forbidden City
janpK8151VB,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Perfect way to explore the forbidden city, Sofia was a lovely tourguide
Great guide and wonderful time!
natehole,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful experience! Sofia was a great guide and it was a small group.
Summer Time
Y6103WSmicheled,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had an outstanding experience with this agency for visiting the Forbidden City in Beijing — absolutely deserving of 5 stars. From the very beginning, everything was perfectly organized: the online booking process was smooth and clear, and the entire tour was executed flawlessly. Our guide, Summer, was simply exceptional. She was highly professional, incredibly helpful, and genuinely warm and empathetic. Her explanations were rich in detail yet always clear, engaging, and easy to follow — never overwhelming or heavy. She made the history and atmosphere of the Forbidden City come alive in a truly enjoyable way. What really made the difference, though, was her kindness beyond the tour itself. Before we even met, I got lost in the streets of Beijing, and she patiently guided me remotely until I found my way. After the tour, when I had trouble booking a taxi (my app wouldn’t register my phone number), she personally arranged and prepaid a ride for me, and even waited with me until it arrived. It’s impossible to ask for more. I love Summer — highly recommended!
Excellent tour
Y8208BBjuliand,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a wonderful experience at the imperial palace with our guide Summer.She explained everything so clearly.Her English is great,very fluently. Her historical tour was truly fascinating ,we enjoyed every moment.I can’t wait for the next one!!!
Lovely tour of the Forbidden City
elenagiadac,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We visited the Forbidden City with our guide Summer and had a really lovely experience. The place itself is, of course, incredible and fascinating, but having such a great guide made it even more enjoyable. Summer is very kind, speaks excellent English, and is clearly very knowledgeable. She explained everything in a simple and engaging way, sharing lots of interesting curiosities and making the whole visit feel like a story rather than just a tour. She was also always happy to answer our questions with patience and a smile. I truly recommend this experience and a big thank you to Summer for making it so special!
A relaxed walk through the forbidden city
annmR9114IL,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great tour in the forbidden city.Our guide Summer was outstanding!She is highly experienced,gave us plenty of time for photos,and was incrediblely patient.Her knowledge and culture is extensive,She made the tour memorable.Highly recommend this tour.
Summer — An Unforgettable Guide at the Forbidden City
Massimo19600114,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Summer was simply outstanding. She waited patiently for every member of our group to arrive, including those who were running late, and made sure each of us had clear instructions before we started — no small feat with such a diverse group of travelers. What made Summer truly special was her ability to go far beyond the typical tourist commentary. She didn’t just share facts and curiosities — she gave us a genuine window into Chinese culture, history and legends, bringing the Forbidden City to life in a way that no guidebook ever could. Three hours flew by, and we left feeling like we had truly understood something deep about this extraordinary place. She was attentive, present and warm with every single person in the group. For two Italian travelers like us, having someone who bridges cultures with such grace and passion was an unexpected gift. I wholeheartedly recommend Summer to every traveler — from Italy, from Europe, from anywhere in the world. Book this tour without hesitation. Summer is not just a guide. She is, in every sense, a friend. Massimo & Elena — Italy 🇮🇹
They booked the tickets...
Nuzhat C,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00They booked the tickets easily and we then just scanned our passports as tickets. Easy! We def recommend!
Very long lines and big...
Will W,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very long lines and big crowds. Be prepared to wait. Cool experience still. Lots of buildings to see and lots of walking.
From US$9.98
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