0:19Beijing
The Forbidden City through the seasons
Palace courtyards, rooflines and winter scenes in the Forbidden City.
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History
The Forbidden City
Beijing’s former imperial palace, with ceremonial halls, courtyards and museum collections.
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About this place
Why visit
The sequence of gates and courtyards makes the palace readable even before you enter a gallery. Large ceremonial spaces lead toward smaller domestic compounds, while roof details and changing thresholds explain differences in rank. Pick a few collections that interest you instead of trying to inspect every building.
Details worth noticing
- The ceremonial courtyards
- Painted beams and roof figures
- Smaller side compounds
Watch before you go
Watch the place and its surroundings
See the scenery and setting, then use the visitor guide to plan your visit.
0:19Before you go
Plan your visit
Plan a coherent route through the palace rather than every room. Reservation, identity document and entrance arrangements belong to the Palace Museum’s current visitor instructions. Allow for standing, queues and exposed courtyards.
Use the Palace Museum’s own visitor information for the entrance, exit, identity documents and reservations. Do not plan the complex as a quick connection between two other sights.
Nearby visits and onward travel
Jingshan offers a natural continuation after the northern exit. Shichahai and the hutongs make a separate, gentler city block.
Getting there & around Beijing ↗A flexible day idea
A suggested day
Use this day plan as a guide. We can adjust the walking, transport and breaks for your group.
- Start
Palace approach
Arrive for your reserved visit with the required document. Begin by reading the sequence of gates and ceremonial spaces rather than rushing toward a single photograph.
- Explore
Collections and courtyards
Follow the main axis, then choose one gallery or side compound around your interests. Leave time for water and a rest between larger spaces.
- Finish
A city view
After exiting, consider nearby Jingshan Park if you still want a climb and an elevated view. Otherwise finish with a relaxed meal and a shorter neighborhood walk.
Longer itinerary ideas
Plan a longer trip
Explore day-by-day routes that include Beijing and its wider region, then adapt one with us.
1 day
Palace courtyards in one day
A focused full day in central Beijing, with the Forbidden City as the main visit.
See the day-by-day idea ↗3 daysBeijing: palace, Wall and local life
Three sightseeing days balancing the old city with one dedicated Great Wall excursion.
See the day-by-day idea ↗7 daysA full Beijing week
A gentle arrival and departure frame five different sightseeing days, with time for food and local neighborhoods.
See the day-by-day idea ↗10 daysBeijing and Xi’an
Connect imperial Beijing with Xi’an’s archaeology, allowing a separate intercity travel day. Finish in Xi’an rather than backtracking.
See the day-by-day idea ↗Before you visit
How to visit the Forbidden City
The Palace Museum is a large historic site. Book the correct date in advance, enter through the southern Meridian Gate and allow several hours for courtyards, security and exhibits.
Booking and your passport
Use the Palace Museum’s English booking service and enter each traveler’s document details as requested. Beijing’s guidance advises foreign visitors to bring the original passport used for the booking and use the staffed inspection channel at the Meridian Gate.
If online booking fails, use the museum’s published contact information or check Beijing’s official visitor guidance; do not assume tickets will be available at the gate.
Route, timing and walking
Plan a south-to-north visit, then consider Jingshan Park if your group has time and energy. Expect extensive outdoor walking and uneven surfaces. The museum usually closes on Mondays, with exceptions: check its calendar, last-entry time and holiday notices for your exact date.
Save the museum entrance in Chinese (午门) and verify the transport approach before departure. Large crowds and security checks can add time.
Official visitor details were checked 29 October 2026. Opening arrangements and ticket availability can change. More about attraction bookings ↗