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
Forbidden City-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
Forbidden City-The Palace Museum
No.4 Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing China
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Options
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Reviews
1,233 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Forbidden city tour
Dream56060400257,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour of the Forbidden City was very well organized. The small group size of only six people was particularly positive, which made the tour pleasant and personal. Communication in advance was uncomplicated via WhatsApp, which made things much easier. Our tourguidin Renny was very dedicated and went to great lengths to make the tour interesting for everyone. She conveyed a lot of exciting information and asked us questions again and again, so we were actively involved in the leadership. In addition, she was very friendly and open. About halfway through the tour there was a break where we could talk to her and chat a little. All in all, it was a great experience, which we are happy to recommend. The tour of the Forbidden City was very well organized. The small group size of only six people was especially positive, as it made the experience more personal and enjoyable. Communication beforehand was handled easily via WhatsApp, which made everything much more convenient. Our tour guide, Renny, was very dedicated and made a great effort to organize an engaging tour for everyone. She shared a lot of interesting information and regularly asked us questions, which helped keep us involved throughout the tour. She was also very friendly and approachable. About halfway through the tour, we had a short break where we could chat with her and get to know her a bit better. Overall, it was a great experience and one we would happily recommend.
Worth the visit everytime you're in Beijing
MPSM77,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Marco was fantastic. The forbidden city was so huge but he paced it well to ensure we have ample time at each spot. Learning the history and architecture behind it will be great for history buff.
Wonder of wonders!
Silvia P,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely not to be missed! I recommend to everyone a guided tour. On Sunday you will find a lot of princesses 🤩 Summer, our guide was very kind and full of information and stories.
Highlight of my Beijing trip!
royas262,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Summer is very knowledgeable and gave us a comprehensive historical background of the place while allowing for enough time at each site for picture taking. She even offered to take pictures of us, which as a solo traveler was greatly appreciated. The Forbidden City was where I was looking most forward to going in Beijing, and this tour became the highlight of my trip thanks to Summer. Would definitely recommend!
Great tour
Maria B,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour with Summer as our guide , she is very thorough , knowledgeable and gives good recommendations
Great tour in Beijing
lenamJ1175GF,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The imperial city's tour was wonderful.Summer was our guide and her knowledge of Chinese history was incredible! Her English skills were great and she was very pleasant to talk to.The whole tour was far out of our expectations.Highly recommend this tour!
Stunning forbidden city
O4100BSnanak,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Today the weather was great,we joined the half day tour from Lily's tour agency.We explored the Forbidden City with a fantastic tour guide Summer, and she made the whole experience unforgettable. Her wealth of knowledge was impressive, and her lively, engaging style kept us focused throughout the tour; it’s no exaggeration to say she is the best tour guide we have ever encountered.
Wonderful Winter Tour
FnuI2,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I have a wonderful winter tour with Summer as our tour guide. I will recomend Summer and Lily's Tour Beijing to my friends and relatives.
Forbidden City Experience
Compass35716004177,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My experience here at beijing forbidden city was great. Our tour guide, Summer, was especially helpful and very kind to everyone, hence enriching the experience I had. I got to know more about the history of the forbidden city and was advised the best photo spots, and attractions. I was guided from the entrance to the exit which was vey helpful, especially since it us my first time and I have no experience in china or in speaking the language. Luckily it wasn't very crowded, but the way towards the exit was quite packed with people.
Great experience at forbidden city
746lestariw,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a nice tour... Summer our guide, is very nice... understand history very well, and meet our expectations. She's also considerate to our needs... good job 👍
From US$9.98
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Lily's Tour Company