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Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking (Optional: guide service)

1,428 Reviews 4.92 out of 5 stars Based on 1,428 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 98% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Beijing, China
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 17 (0) days in advance.

2 to 4 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation

Overview

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.

What's Included

  • Admission ticket
  • Live guide ( for Forbidden City group tour option only)
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Included with the option “Forbidden City group tour”.

Hotel Kapok Beijing
No.16 Donghuamen Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006, China

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Pickup details

If you have booked stand‑alone tickets only, please proceed to the Meridian Gate security checkpoint on your own and present your passport for entry. If you have selected the Forbidden City group tour option, please arrive on time for the meeting at the entrance of Kapok Hotel Donghuamen. Late arrivals will not be admitted to the Forbidden City.

OR
Meeting point

For the options “Main Entry +Treasure Gallery”, “Afternoon Entry Ticket” and “Morning Entry Ticket”.

Donghuamen
Donghuamen Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006, China

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Donghuamen

Guests can be dropped off directly at Donghuamen. Follow the city moat on foot for approximately 8 minutes until you reach Meridian Gate (Wumen), the sole official entry and security checkpoint for the Forbidden City. Important: Donghuamen functions only as an exit. Entry to the Forbidden City is NOT permitted at Donghuamen. Please proceed on foot to Meridian Gate for security and ticket verification. What You Need to Know ⚠️ Avoid traveling through Tiananmen Square to reach Meridian Gate A separate real‑name reservation for Tiananmen Square is mandatory and must be booked at least 1 day ahead. Your Forbidden City group tour ticket does NOT include access to Tiananmen Square.For the Forbidden City group tour opiton The meeting Point: Kapok Hotel Donghuamen (Near the Donghuamen‑East Gate of the Forbidden City)
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Meridian Gate (Wu Men)

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 15:30Please note: • This is pre booking service, the comfirmation will send 6 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 • Please note that Chinese nationals including visitors from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan must book tickets 7 days in advance for the Forbidden City. We cannot accept any bookings made within 7 days of the visit date.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Included

Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian)

The Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohe Dian) is the last main hall in the Outer Court.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Gate of Heavenly Purity

The Gate of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Men) separates the palace into the Outer and Inner Court. Behind the gate is the residential area of the palace.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Palace of Earthly Tranquility

The two chambers in the east were changed into bridal rooms for the emperor and empress; while the remaining four chambers were used as a place of worship.
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Included

The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum

Behind the Hall of Earthly Tranquility is the Imperial Garden where the imperial family members recreated themselves.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Included

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.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Show 6 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Chinese tourists( including Taiwan and Hongkong ) must book over 8 days in advance.
  • This is only pre-booking service, if we get the ticket then the comfirmation letter will received 6 days in advance.
  • The ticket is only valid on the day you book to travel

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking (Optional: guide service)?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-26448P67

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.92
1,428 reviews

Average 4.92 out of 5 stars based on 1,428 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
1,348
4 stars
57
3 stars
14
2 stars
3
1 star
6
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 17 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Admission ticket
  • Live guide ( for Forbidden City group tour option only)
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • 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)
  • Chinese tourists( including Taiwan and Hongkong ) must book over 8 days in advance.
  • This is only pre-booking service, if we get the ticket then the comfirmation letter will received 6 days in advance.
  • The ticket is only valid on the day you book to travel
  • Please note that Chinese nationals including visitors from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan must book tickets 7 days in advance for the Forbidden City. We cannot accept any bookings made within 7 days of the visit date.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

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