Tickets handled, the central axis explained, from the Hall of Supreme Harmony to the imperial crowns
Four hours, one walled city, and a guide who keeps the pace ahead of the tour flags. The Treasure Gallery is included — most visitors walk past the side gate that leads to it.
If you want the Great Wall too, take the separate wall route — this does not leave the city.
Entry is by timed slot and passports are checked against the booking. Arriving early does not get you in early.
Meet at the Meridian Gate (Wu Men); bring the passport or ID used for the timed entry booking
Local time (GMT+8). The palace closes Mondays; entry follows your timed booking.
The only entrance is the Meridian Gate on the south side, approached from the east of Tiananmen. Security takes about 20 minutes — arrive early
Popularly the Throne Hall, and the largest surviving timber building in China. The columns and beams inside are gilded by the powder-gold method, dragons coiling across every surface
The first was the emperor’s waiting room before ceremonies. Behind the second, the carved ramp of clouds and dragons weighs over 200 tonnes — the largest single stone carving in the palace
The three inner-court halls: the emperor’s residence, the Hall of Union taking its name from the I Ching, and the empress’s official palace under the Ming
Built by the Qianlong emperor for his retirement and now displaying the Qing treasures — gold chime bells, East Pearl court beads, kingfisher-feather phoenix crowns
The northernmost garden, with the Hill of Accumulated Elegance and its twin pavilions. The only place to sit down before leaving
Visits run one way: out at the north gate, facing Jingshan. Climb it for the classic view over the palace roofs (¥2)
The tour starts and ends in Beijing. Most travellers arrive at Beijing South / West Railway Station — the pick-up loop is a short taxi or metro ride from the exits, and the tour returns you in time for an evening train. If you are coming from another city, check the direct high-speed trains and their first and last departures.
About 4 km of flat walking — fine for older parents. Children drift during commentary; the goldwork in the Treasure Gallery is what pulls them back.
$34 per person on the group tour, or from $256 per vehicle for a private car with driver and guide. The group price includes the driver, guide and admission; the private price is for the whole vehicle, whatever the party size.
It runs 09:00 to 13:00 — about 4 hours from pick-up to drop-off, including the drive. If you are catching a train or flight the same evening, book it for after 14:30.
Meridian Gate, Forbidden City. Your driver and guide meet you there; the exact spot is confirmed the day before travel.
Forbidden City admission (¥60 in high season); Treasure Gallery ticket (¥10); Three hours of Mandarin commentary.
Lunch — the only sit-down option inside is the Ice Cellar restaurant; better to eat after exiting; Clock Gallery ¥10.
Two days. We do not accept same-day or next-day bookings because the car, guide and admission have to be arranged in advance. Cancellation is free up to 7 days before the tour; inside that it steps to 20% (6–3 days) and 60% (2–1 days), and nothing is refunded on the day itself.
Nine thousand rooms on a single axis, red walls and yellow tiles. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the set piece, but the corner towers and the imperial garden are where it gets quiet.
故宫博物院旧称紫禁城，红墙黄瓦气势恢宏，中轴对称布局尽显皇家威严，太和殿庄严肃穆，角楼构造精妙。
It works as a history lesson and as architecture: courtyards that keep opening into more courtyards, and detail everywhere at eye level if you look up.
故宫宫殿宏伟，古建筑精美，是鲜活的历史课堂。
Do not skip the Treasure Gallery — the small extra ticket is where the gold, jade and imperial regalia live, and it thins the crowds out considerably.
单独推荐了珍宝馆，不虚此行，有机会下次还来。
