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+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.
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.
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.
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.
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
1,271 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Lovely windy day
B3790MSchrism,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Summer was very informative polite and patient. She pointed out many wonderful spots for us to take photos, and also explained the aesthetic beauty of the architecture.Her stories about emperor and empress were so intriguing.Highly recommend this tour!!!
Wonderful experience
markmS91FX,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was an unforgettable experience, Summer is a knowledgeable tour guide! She knows every corner of the imperial palace ,she also recommended some great restaurants too.We enjoyed all of her interesting stories.She is truly a great storyteller.
Informative visit
luigitI199XX,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing tour with the guide Summer, informative and fun.
Highlight of our trip! Highly recommend l, especially guide Summer.
Jane D,,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour of the forbidden city was the highlight of our visit to Beijing. Our guide Summer was so friendly and extremely knowledgeable. She is a great storyteller. You could tell that Summer really enjoys her job, and takes pride in sharing her knowledge. I cannot imagine visiting the forbidden city without a guide. There is so much to see. You could easily miss many spots without a guide. The group was not too many people. And Summer gave us headsets so we could hear her clearly within the busy crowds. My teen son was very engaged in learning about the history of the forbidden city. If you can request Summer, I strongly recommend. Thank you for a lovely afternoon Summer!
A wonderful experience to learn the history.
yuew816,,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very large place! It is worth to be there for the whole day!
Forbiden city visit
Sherpa02407015218,,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the privilege of visiting the Forbidden City with an outstanding guide. She was passionate and extremely knowledgeable. Thanks to her, the history of the emperors, court intrigues, and the symbolism behind the architecture truly came alive. She managed the pace of the visit perfectly despite the crowds and always brought us to the best viewpoints, giving us time for photos while keeping everything smooth and engaging. Every question we asked was answered with clarity and enthusiasm. What made the tour even more special was her kindness and attention to our comfort. Despite the cold weather, she regularly made sure we could warm up and check that everyone was feeling okay. You can truly feel how much she cares about her guests.
forbidden ticket
Navigate59793745017,,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00For the Palace Museum, make a real-name reservation 7 days in advance via its official mini-program or website. It is closed on Mondays (except statutory holidays).The admission ticket is 60 yuan per person; the Treasure Gallery and Clock and Watch Museum cost an extra 10 yuan each separately.Fill in ID card or passport information—one ticket per document, and children also need reservations.Enter by scanning your original ID; on-site ticket changes are not available. Unused tickets can be refunded early but become invalid after the entry date.It’s recommended to visit in the morning, allowing 4–6 hours. Enter through the Meridian Gate and exit via the Gate of Divine Prowess. Store luggage in advance and wear comfortable shoes. Open flames and unauthorized entry to closed areas are prohibited.
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
From US$9.98
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