Forbidden City

★ 4.5 (62K+ reviews) • 63K+ booked
Overview
Things to do
Restaurants
Hotels

Forbidden City Tickets & Tours

The Forbidden City Ticket
Fall deal
Museums • Beijing

The Forbidden City Ticket

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4.6 / 5
(8.3K) • 100K+ booked
₱ 397
Sale 50% off
Forbidden city group tour with Option Tian'anmen Square add on
Fall deal
Klook's choice
Tours • Beijing

Forbidden city group tour with Option Tian'anmen Square add on

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English guided
Free cancellation
4.9 / 5
(1.3K) • 10K+ booked
₱ 1,061
Sale 20% off
Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square & Treasure Museum Small Group Tour
Klook's choice
Tours • Beijing

Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square & Treasure Museum Small Group Tour

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English guided
Free cancellation
4.9 / 5
(2.4K) • 20K+ booked
₱ 1,961
Sale 20% off
Klook Mainland China Beijing Custom Tour
Tours • Beijing

Klook Mainland China Beijing Custom Tour

Private tour
English guided
Private group
4.8 / 5
(86) • 2K+ booked
Free
All-inclusive tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall
Klook's choice
Tours • From Beijing

All-inclusive tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall

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English guided
Free cancellation
5.0 / 5
(48) • 300+ booked
₱ 5,499
Sale 20% off
Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall & Forbidden City  Day Tour
Tours • Beijing

Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall & Forbidden City Day Tour

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Private tour
English guided
5.0 / 5
(408) • 1K+ booked
₱ 1,946
Sale 20% off
Forbidden City + Summer Palace Guided Day Tour | In-depth commentary
Tours • Beijing

Forbidden City + Summer Palace Guided Day Tour | In-depth commentary

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Private tour
English guided
4.8 / 5
(111) • 600+ booked
₱ 3,035
Sale 20% off
Beijing 2-Day Forbidden City & Great Wall Tour with Top Highlights
Klook's choice
Tours • Beijing

Beijing 2-Day Forbidden City & Great Wall Tour with Top Highlights

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English guided
Free cancellation
5.0 / 5
(14) • 100+ booked
₱ 9,807
Sale 20% off
Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven Historical Tour
Tours • Beijing

Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven Historical Tour

English guided
Free cancellation
4.7 / 5
(151) • 2K+ booked
₱ 1,660
Sale 20% off
National Museum of China
Fall deal
Museums • Beijing

National Museum of China

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4.5 / 5
(73) • 1K+ booked
From
₱ 448
Sale 20% off
Palace Museum ticket + electronic audio guide (multi-language options available)
Fall deal
Museums • Beijing

Palace Museum ticket + electronic audio guide (multi-language options available)

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3.5 / 5
(64) • 2K+ booked
Sold out
Forbidden City & Jingshan Park Half-Day Tour
Tours • Beijing

Forbidden City & Jingshan Park Half-Day Tour

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Private tour
English guided
4.7 / 5
(488) • 5K+ booked
₱ 1,356
Sale 50% off

Where to stay in Forbidden City

Beijing Le Zai Nan Luo Gu Xiang Wang Fu Jing Forbidden City Courtyard Hotel
Hotels • Beijing

Beijing Le Zai Nan Luo Gu Xiang Wang Fu Jing Forbidden City Courtyard Hotel

Instant confirmation
4.8 / 5
(191)
From
₱ 9,259.7
UrCove by Hyatt Beijing Forbidden City
Hotels • Beijing

UrCove by Hyatt Beijing Forbidden City

Instant confirmation
3.9 / 5
(25)
From
₱ 6,053.7
THE YARD HOTEL BEIJING,BianyiFang
Hotels • Beijing

THE YARD HOTEL BEIJING,BianyiFang

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From
₱ 4,995.9
East Sacred Hotel ( the Forbidden City San Li Tun)
Hotels • Beijing

East Sacred Hotel ( the Forbidden City San Li Tun)

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4.2 / 5
(18)
From
₱ 4,899.1
East Sacred Hotel-near Beijing Tiananmen Square,the Forbidden City,Wangfujing Street-Newly renovated hotel
From
₱ 5,778.7
Beijing Hotel Nuo Forbidden City
Hotels • Beijing

Beijing Hotel Nuo Forbidden City

Instant confirmation
4.5 / 5
(1.0K)
From
₱ 8,199.3
Manxin Mansion Beijing Tiananmen Forbidden City
Hotels • Beijing

Manxin Mansion Beijing Tiananmen Forbidden City

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₱ 9,574.2
Beijing Tangfu Nanluoguxiang Forbidden City  Hotel
Hotels • Beijing

Beijing Tangfu Nanluoguxiang Forbidden City Hotel

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From
₱ 6,578.5
Rosewood Group Beijing New World Hotel Accommodation Package
Staycations • Beijing

Rosewood Group Beijing New World Hotel Accommodation Package

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From
₱ 11,394
Retail: ₱ 16,854
[Exclusive Offer] China World Hotel, Beijing Accommodation Package
Staycations • Beijing

[Exclusive Offer] China World Hotel, Beijing Accommodation Package

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₱ 13,984
Retail: ₱ 17,796
Happy Dragon Alley Hotel Beijing Tian AnMen Forbidden City
Hotels • Beijing

Happy Dragon Alley Hotel Beijing Tian AnMen Forbidden City

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From
₱ 4,803.9

Transport to & from Forbidden City

Chartered Tour Beijing City One-Day Chartered Car
Car charters • Beijing

Chartered Tour Beijing City One-Day Chartered Car

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Customized itinerary
Free cancellation
4.4 / 5
(162) • 1K+ booked
₱ 5,844
Retail: ₱ 6,598
Beijing City Point-to-Point Transfers
Car charters • Beijing

Beijing City Point-to-Point Transfers

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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
5.0 / 5
(7) • 50+ booked
₱ 1,964
Retail: ₱ 2,828
Forbidden City Private Transfer
Car charters • Beijing

Forbidden City Private Transfer

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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
₱ 1,964
Retail: ₱ 2,828
Forbidden City & Shichahai & Tiananmen Square & Prince Gong's Mansion One-Day Private Car Tour
Car charters • Beijing

Forbidden City & Shichahai & Tiananmen Square & Prince Gong's Mansion One-Day Private Car Tour

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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
₱ 5,748
Retail: ₱ 6,598
Temple of Heaven, Grand View Garden & Dashilan Chartered Car Tour
Car charters • Beijing

Temple of Heaven, Grand View Garden & Dashilan Chartered Car Tour

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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
₱ 5,748
Retail: ₱ 6,598
【China Railway】Shanghai to/from Beijing/Suzhou/Nanjing/Hangzhou High-speed Rail Tickets
Train tickets • Beijing (From Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Beijing)

【China Railway】Shanghai to/from Beijing/Suzhou/Nanjing/Hangzhou High-speed Rail Tickets

4.2 / 5
(114) • 6K+ booked
₱ 528
Private Beijing Railway Station Transfer (Station/Hotel Pick Up)
Car charters • Beijing

Private Beijing Railway Station Transfer (Station/Hotel Pick Up)

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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.6 / 5
(163) • 900+ booked
₱ 1,791
Retail: ₱ 2,168
Private Charter from Beijing to Jinshanling the Great Wall or Gubei Water Town
Car charters • Beijing

Private Charter from Beijing to Jinshanling the Great Wall or Gubei Water Town

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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.8 / 5
(33) • 400+ booked
₱ 11,311
Retail: ₱ 12,631
Beijing Private Day Charter (with Guide)
Car charters • Beijing

Beijing Private Day Charter (with Guide)

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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.9 / 5
(8)
₱ 15,227
Retail: ₱ 15,836
Private Car Tour: Summer Palace & Old Summer Palace & Water Cube
Car charters • Beijing

Private Car Tour: Summer Palace & Old Summer Palace & Water Cube

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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
5.0 / 5
(3)
₱ 5,748
Retail: ₱ 6,598
Private Charter from Beijing to Tianjin
Car charters • Beijing (From Beijing)

Private Charter from Beijing to Tianjin

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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.0 / 5
(7) • 100+ booked
₱ 11,311
Retail: ₱ 12,631
Beijing Zoo & Capital Museum Private Car Tour
Car charters • Beijing

Beijing Zoo & Capital Museum Private Car Tour

Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
₱ 5,748
Retail: ₱ 6,598

Restaurants near Forbidden City

Little Devil Bar | Near Lama Temple
Food & dining • Beijing

Little Devil Bar | Near Lama Temple

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
₱ 705
Retail: ₱ 811
Green Wave Corridor · Shanghainese Cuisine
Food & dining • Beijing

Green Wave Corridor · Shanghainese Cuisine

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
From
₱ 2,928
Zi Shan Restaurant · Cantonese Cuisine | Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing
Food & dining • Beijing

Zi Shan Restaurant · Cantonese Cuisine | Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing

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Free cancellation
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From
₱ 7,007
Cha Niu Steakhouse | InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun Tongying Center
Food & dining • Beijing

Cha Niu Steakhouse | InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun Tongying Center

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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
From
₱ 3,937
Burp | Fangjia Hutong Store
Food & dining • Beijing

Burp | Fangjia Hutong Store

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
₱ 2,561
Retail: ₱ 2,620

More to explore

Beijing Airport & Railway Station Luggage Services by LuggAgent
Travel services • Beijing

Beijing Airport & Railway Station Luggage Services by LuggAgent

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
3.7 / 5
(3) • 50+ booked
₱ 1,104
Beijing South Railway Station High Speed Rail Lounge
Travel services • Beijing

Beijing South Railway Station High Speed Rail Lounge

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
₱ 875
Retail: ₱ 943

Forbidden City Reviews

Justine ***************
2026-09-30 01:15:21
Fantastic 5.0
I highly recommend this one if youre gonna go to The Forbidden City. The place was huge and you will be needing a guide to explore and learn about its history. Our guide Peter was all out hands on to us. Sharing the history and answering our question about the place. He was willing to help us take a photo as well.
Ong ********
2026-06-08 11:11:25
Fantastic 5.0
Really enjoyed the whole tour experience, as our guide Allen was super cheerful despite us having to go through the tour on one of the hotter days in Beijing. Gotten really nice pictures and recommendations in the Forbidden City as well. Side note, please come well prepared with good walking shoes, sunscreen, cap/umbrella if you’re intending to do this tour during summer months as you’d spend at least 30 minutes going through the security check under the sun.
Herald *******
2026-09-14 04:00:26
Fantastic 5.0
The guide, Linda, was organized and constantly aware of not losing the group, giving us enough time for the entire group to arrive at each stop before offering her recounting on the significance of each building, relic or historical artifact. She spoke clearly and coherently, adding a touch of humour, always with a smile. The tour was well paced, not too hectic, despite the scale and depth of what was covered. Definitely worth your money!
CHAN *******
2026-08-21 12:59:04
Fantastic 5.0
Our tour guide, Mr. Liu, was enthusiastic, friendly, and attentive, taking excellent care of both adults and children. The itinerary was well-planned, allowing us to comfortably explore various parts of Beijing. We hope to visit Beijing again in the future. Thank you very much.
GILBERT ***
2026-06-12 22:27:17
Fantastic 5.0
The tour started on time and both guides Amy and MA have coordinated with us a day before the scheduled tour. They both explained very clearly the history of the Forbidden City and Summer Palace. MA even accompany us to the Bird Nest after the Summer Palace tour. We are very appreciated.
Klook User
2026-09-29 11:52:02
Fantastic 5.0
This was an amazing tour with so many interesting sights seen. Helen made it so memorable with her great story telling and jokes, she also assisted us in getting into the areas faster than everyone else which was a huge plus. It is great value for money too as everything is included, all you do is pay and rock up and you’re set. Cold water is provided and the pace can be either fast or slow depending on what you like. Helen gave us the option to stop and take photos or go to the next spot which i really appreciated as i don’t like to waffle around. 100% recommend to anyone visiting beijing
Klook User
2026-10-07 10:30:22
Fantastic 5.0
Overall, I enjoyed the experience and Yuly did a great job keeping everyone together and explaining key parts of the Forbidden City’s history. I would have preferred less time there and more time at the Great Wall. The itinerary could be more transparent. I didn’t expect to take a public bus after the Forbidden City to reach another bus, or to pick up more passengers along the way. The Great Wall extras were also confusing. On the bus, we were asked which sides we wanted to visit and charged 280 RMB for cable car/toboggan tickets. It felt like these were compulsory, although they are optional and cheaper options are available on site. This should be explained clearly before payment. That said, the cable cars and toboggan were amazing and so much fun! I don’t regret the experience or extra money spent. I’m grateful for the guidance and knowledge I gained, although I now feel confident I could organise it myself next time and spend more time exploring the Great Wall at my own pace!
Lay ********
2026-04-22 16:51:09
Fantastic 5.0
Our tour guide Jimmy was really friendly and he speaks good English too. He's really knowledgeable about not just the history of the Forbidden City, but also China's history. We really enjoyed the tour, Jimmy made it so much more insightful and interesting as compared to if we were to go on our own. He also helps us to take really nice photos too!~ Highly recommend Jimmy as a guide.
Leandro ***
2026-05-09 11:44:27
Fantastic 5.0
Great experience, the place is massive and beautiful, I spend over four hours there. I couldn’t see the gate at Tiannen, but it was a good experience anyway. It was said to enter by a lateral entrance, but I saw people entering from the Tiannen square. If someone book it, make a enquiry about it.

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FAQs about Forbidden City

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What to know about Forbidden City

Discover the grandeur and mystique of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, a mesmerizing imperial palace complex that stands as a testament to the grandeur and opulence of Chinese history. As one of the most well-preserved wooden structures in the world, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers travelers a unique glimpse into the lives of Chinese emperors and the rich cultural heritage of the Ming and Qing dynasties. This architectural marvel, now a museum, offers a captivating journey through centuries of history, culture, and architectural brilliance. Nestled in the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City served as the imperial palace for Chinese emperors from the Ming to the Qing dynasty, witnessing significant historical events and architectural developments in East Asia.
4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng, Beijing, China, 100009

Remarkable Landmarks and Must-Visit Sights

Hall of Supreme Harmony

The largest and most significant hall in the Forbidden City, used for major ceremonial events such as enthronements and imperial weddings. It features an intricate caisson ceiling with a coiled dragon and the Xuanyuan Mirror.

Imperial Garden

A compact yet elaborate garden located at the northern end of the Forbidden City, featuring beautiful landscaping, ancient trees, and traditional Chinese architecture.

Palace of Heavenly Purity

Originally the residence of the emperor, this double-eaved building later became the emperor's audience hall. It is connected to the Gate of Heavenly Purity by a raised walkway.

Culture and History

The Forbidden City served as the home of Chinese emperors and the political center of the Chinese government for over 500 years. It was constructed from 1406 to 1420 and has been a public museum since 1925. The palace complex exemplifies traditional Chinese palatial architecture and has influenced cultural and architectural developments in East Asia.

Local Cuisine

While exploring the Forbidden City, travelers can indulge in Beijing's local cuisine. Must-try dishes include Peking Duck, a crispy and flavorful roasted duck dish, and Jiaozi, traditional Chinese dumplings filled with various ingredients.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The Forbidden City served as the political and ritual center of China for over 500 years. It was home to 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties and remains a vital cultural heritage site.

Architectural Marvel

The layout and design of the Forbidden City reflect Confucian ideals and cosmic order. Its structures were built according to the 'Treatise on Architectural Methods or State Building Standards,' ensuring a hierarchy in design.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Recognized for its cultural and historical importance, the Forbidden City was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.

Public and Private Life

The Forbidden City is divided into the outer court, used for state affairs, and the inner court, which was the domestic space for the imperial family. This division highlights the clear separation between public and private life in imperial China.

Ongoing Preservation

As a modern museum and historical site, the Forbidden City continues to undergo renovations and restorations to preserve its structures and artifacts, offering visitors a well-maintained glimpse into China's imperial past.