Opening hours, tickets, transport, the best routes and insider tips — everything you need for a perfect day in the Forbidden City.
Opening hours
Tickets & booking
| Ticket | Peak season | Off season |
|---|---|---|
| Adult admission | 60 CNY | 40 CNY |
| Concession (students & seniors 60+) | 30 CNY | 20 CNY |
| Treasure Gallery add-on | +10 CNY | +10 CNY |
| Clock Exhibition add-on | +10 CNY | +10 CNY |
| Children (under 1.2 m with adult) | Free — still requires a booked entry | |
Official gate prices in CNY. International e-tickets with instant confirmation start at $13.93 on the platforms below.
Getting there
Inside the walls
Supreme Harmony, Central Harmony and Preserving Harmony rise on a three-tier marble terrace along the central axis. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest surviving wooden hall in China — the throne room where ceremonies shaped the empire.
From 1723 the emperors lived and ruled here. See the throne, the study, and the chamber frozen in Qing-dynasty detail — the room behind the drama Story of Yanxi Palace fans know so well.
In the Palace of Tranquil Longevity: the Gold Cup of Eternal Stability, imperial seals, jade boats and a Nine-Dragon Screen. Worth every extra 10 CNY — and blissfully quiet.
Gilded automatons, elephant-drawn carriages and musical clocks gifted by European courts — still running after three centuries. A hit with kids and photographers alike.
The emperors’ private retreat at the north end: ancient cypresses, rockeries and the Pavilion of Ten Thousand Springs. Best enjoyed slowly, in the last hour of your visit.
After you exit north, walk the moat to see the 72-ridged Corner Tower reflected in the water — sunrise and dusk are magic, and Jingshan Park opposite gives the classic rooftop panorama.
Suggested routes
Meridian Gate → Inner Golden Water bridges → Three Great Halls → Inner court palaces → Imperial Garden → north exit. All the icons, one straight line.
The express route plus the Clock Exhibition and Treasure Gallery in the eastern wing — the sweet spot for first-time visitors, as our travelers recommend.
Add the Hall of Mental Cultivation, west-wing exhibition halls and a lunch break, then finish with sunset over the roofs from Jingshan Park.
Detailed step-by-step itineraries in our blog: Perfect Routes Through the Palace →
Insider tips
Tickets are released exactly 7 days in advance at 20:00 Beijing time and weekends sell out within minutes.
The first hour is the quietest — empty courtyards, soft light and short security lines.
Real-name entry: bring the physical passport used for booking, not a photo of it.
You will walk 4–6 km on marble. Bring a 500 ml bottle; toilets and water points are plentiful inside.
Once you exit (north or east gate) your ticket is used. Plan lunch and breaks before leaving.
Large luggage is not allowed past security — a free storage counter operates near the entrance.
Travelers consistently say a guide turns courtyards into stories. Small-group tours start around US$10–15.
Climb the hill opposite the north gate for the full golden-roof panorama — sunset is unforgettable.
Skip the queue with a timed-entry e-ticket — admission from $13.93, instant confirmation, just bring your passport.
