The Forbidden City in Beijing, also known as the Gugong, is one of the largest and best-preserved palace complexes in the world. It served as the imperial residence for nearly 500 years, from the beginning of the Ming Dynasty in 1420 to the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1912.
Covering an area of around 72 hectares, the Forbidden City consists of 980 buildings constructed primarily of wood and richly decorated with intricate carvings and gold accents. Its name is no coincidence – entry was strictly forbidden to anyone without the emperor’s permission. Walking through its vast stone courtyards, past golden rooftops and grand ceremonial halls, feels like stepping into a world of imperial power, luxury, and intrigue. If you’re planning a trip to Beijing, visiting the Forbidden City is an absolute must.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about visiting the Forbidden City in Beijing. You’ll learn how to get tickets, where to buy them, updated prices for 2026, whether it’s better to explore on your own or join a guided tour, opening hours, must-see highlights, and other useful tips to help you plan the perfect visit.
Forbidden City Tickets in Beijing (2026)
If you’re planning to visit the Forbidden City in Beijing, it’s best to book your tickets in advance. This is one of the city’s most popular attractions, and visitor numbers are strictly limited. Tickets should be reserved at least a week ahead of your visit. According to the official website, the maximum daily capacity is 40,000 visitors.
To purchase tickets, you’ll need to provide your passport details. Entry tickets are divided into morning and afternoon time slots, and it’s important to arrive within your designated window. Otherwise, you may be denied entry.
Forbidden City Ticket Prices (2026)
Ticket prices for the Forbidden City vary depending on the season. From April to October, the standard admission fee is 60 RMB, while from November to March, it is reduced to 40 RMB.
For an additional fee of 10 RMB per site, you can also visit the Treasure Gallery and the Clock and Watch Gallery.
How to Buy Tickets for the Forbidden City (Gugong)
There are several ways to book tickets for the Forbidden City. You can purchase them directly through the official website. If you’re familiar with using WeChat, tickets can also be bought through the app. If you book a private tour, your guide will typically handle ticket purchases on your behalf.
Tickets are also available via platforms like Klook and Trip.com. While prices may be slightly higher than on the official site, these platforms are generally more user-friendly and offer a wider range of payment options.
Guided Tours and Day Trips to the Forbidden City
Visiting the Forbidden City as part of a guided tour is highly recommended. This way, you won’t need to worry about securing tickets, and having a knowledgeable guide will make your visit far more engaging and insightful.
A guided tour is an excellent option if you’re short on time but want to see as much as possible. In addition to the Forbidden City, many tours include stops at Beihai Park or Jingshan Park, as well as Tiananmen Square. Below, you’ll find a selection of the most popular guided tours of the Forbidden City available on GetYourGuide.
Opening Hours of the Forbidden City
The Imperial Palace in Beijing is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays. Opening hours vary by season: from April to October, it operates from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and from November to March, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Last entry is permitted one hour before closing.
How to Get to the Forbidden City in Beijing
The Gugong Imperial Palace is located in the very center of Beijing, next to Tiananmen Square, at 4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China, 100009. You can reach the Forbidden City by bus, metro, or taxi.
By Bus
Several bus routes stop near the Forbidden City, including lines 1, 2, 52, 82, and 120. You should get off at Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West. Tourist bus lines 1 and 2 also pass through these stops. While traveling by bus is an affordable option, it may not be the most convenient for visitors due to heavy crowds, especially during peak hours.
By Metro
The most convenient way to reach the Forbidden City in Beijing is by metro. To get there, take Line 1 and get off at either Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West station, then follow signs to Exit B. From there, it’s about a 500-meter walk to Tiananmen Gate, after which you’ll continue north toward the main entrance of the Gugong (Forbidden City).
Entrance and Exit of the Forbidden City (Gugong)
Visitors enter the Forbidden City through the Meridian Gate, located directly behind the Monument to the People’s Heroes and across from Mao Zedong’s portrait on the Tiananmen Square side. The route through the Forbidden City is strictly one-way, so exiting through the southern gate is not allowed.
You can leave the Forbidden City through the northern gate, known as the Gate of Divine Might, or via the Gate of Prosperity on the eastern side (you’ll find both exit points marked on the map below).
The eastern exit is a good option if you’re short on time and plan to continue your visit with a stop at Wangfujing Shopping Street, located about one kilometer away.
If you leave through the northern gate, you’ll find yourself in Jingshan Park. In addition to a pleasant walk through the park, you can climb to the top of one of its hills, where a viewpoint offers stunning panoramic views over the Forbidden City.
What to See
The Forbidden City in Beijing is more than just an architectural complex – it’s a city within a city, where Chinese emperors lived and ruled for five centuries. Running from south to north is the central axis, a key feature of traditional Chinese palace design. The main halls and most important buildings are arranged along this axis.
Be prepared to spend at least two hours exploring the main highlights of the Gugong. However, if you have more time, you could easily spend an entire day wandering through its eastern and western sections.
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking. The central halls tend to get very crowded, especially with tour groups, so you may need to navigate through the crowds to get a good view.
The main highlights of the Gugong are the three grand halls located in the central part of the complex. The first one you’ll encounter is the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where the emperor’s throne is located. This hall was used for official audiences and major state ceremonies.
The Hall of Complete Harmony was used for rehearsals of important ceremonies and also served as a resting place for the emperor, as well as a space for meetings with ministers. The last of the three is the Hall of Preserving Harmony, where banquets for high-ranking officials were held.
In addition to the main halls, be sure to visit the galleries showcasing unique works of art. For example, you can explore the Calligraphy Gallery or admire a wide range of ceramic pieces. There are also dedicated exhibitions featuring items made of gold and silver, jade, stone, and bronze.
In the northern part of the complex lies the Inner Court of the Forbidden City. This more secluded area served as the residence of the emperor, empress, concubines, and their closest attendants. Unlike the Outer Court, where grand ceremonies and official receptions took place, the Inner Court was the private domain of the ruling dynasty and the center of daily life for the imperial family.
Here, you’ll find three main buildings, including the emperor’s living quarters, the hall where imperial seals were kept, as well as the empress’s residence and spaces used for religious rituals.
Best Time to Visit
The Forbidden City (Gugong) is open year-round, but the best times to visit in terms of weather are from April to June and from August to November. During these periods, rainfall is relatively low, and in April, the gardens within the Forbidden City begin to bloom, making the visit especially picturesque.
It’s best to avoid visiting on weekends. To steer clear of large crowds, plan to arrive as early as possible, ideally right at opening time, or later in the afternoon after 2 PM, when the crowds start to thin out.
When visiting the Gugong, be sure to bring enough water and some snacks. While there are a few food outlets inside the complex, prices tend to be high, and with up to 40,000 visitors per day, seating can be limited. If you’re visiting during the summer months, don’t forget to bring a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the heat.
