故宫博物院
The world's largest palace complex and 600 years of imperial history.
The Forbidden City was the home of 24 Chinese emperors for nearly 500 years. With 980 buildings and 8,700+ rooms, it is the largest palace complex on Earth. Allow at least 3 hours — a full day does it justice.
Book tickets online at dpm.org.cn — they sell out weeks ahead and there is NO walk-up ticket sales. Bring your passport for ticket collection. Enter from the south gate (Meridian Gate / 午门). Exit through the north gate (Shenwumen) into Jingshan Park.
Opening Hours
8:30am – 5:00pm (Apr–Oct), 8:30am – 4:30pm (Nov–Mar). Closed Mondays.
Entry Fee
¥60 (Apr–Oct), ¥40 (Nov–Mar)
Address
4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng District, Beijing
北京市东城区景山前街4号
Tickets MUST be booked online at dpm.org.cn. Opens 60 days ahead. Sells out — especially weekends, holidays, and summer. No tickets sold at the gate.
You must bring your passport to enter this attraction. Without it, you will be denied entry.
Show these to locals — large Chinese text designed to be read at arm's length.
Show this to locals:
师傅您好，请送我去故宫南门（午门），地址：北京市东城区景山前街4号。谢谢！
Hello, please take me to the south entrance of the Forbidden City (Meridian Gate). Address: 4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng District, Beijing. Thank you!
For your eyes only:
Ask for the south gate (午门 / Wǔmén) — this is the main entrance. Do not go to the north gate by mistake.
Show this to locals:
您好，我在网上买了故宫的票，请问在哪里取票？我需要用护照取票。
Hello, I bought my Forbidden City ticket online. Where do I collect it? I need to use my passport to collect.
For your eyes only:
You will need your passport and the booking confirmation QR code. Ticket collection booths are at the south gate.
Follow these guides to navigate each part of your visit.
Book tickets online at dpm.org.cn — do this before anything else in Beijing planning
Take Metro Line 1 to Tiananmen East or West station
Walk north through Tiananmen Square to the south gate (Meridian Gate / 午门)
Bring your passport — you must show it to collect tickets
Enter through the main south gate. The palace runs north–south.
Exit through the north gate (Shenwumen) into Jingshan Park for a panoramic view of the palace rooftops.
Book tickets at dpm.org.cn as soon as your Beijing dates are confirmed — they sell out far in advance.
Monday is closing day — do not plan your Forbidden City visit on a Monday.
The Treasury (珍宝馆) and Clock Collection (钟表馆) require separate tickets — worth it if you have time.
Download the Palace Museum app for an excellent self-guided audio tour in English.
Great Wall — Mutianyu Section
慕田峪长城
The best-preserved, least crowded Great Wall section near Beijing.
Explore →Temple of Heaven
天坛
A Ming Dynasty masterpiece where emperors prayed for good harvests.
Explore →Summer Palace
颐和园
The grandest imperial garden in China — lakes, marble boats, and painted corridors.
Explore →Save all your travel cards, action guides, and reservations in one place — accessible offline anywhere in China.