Pequim | Excursão de meio dia ao Museu do Palácio (Cidade Proibida)

Tour guide Xiaolu is probably the best guide I've ever met! She has a thorough knowledge and grasp of the Forbidden City's layout and various stories. As we walked, many tourists were drawn to her explanations and unknowingly followed our group. After touring the Forbidden City with her, I felt like I had a rich history lesson. Her explanations were so vivid that I could visualize images in my mind as I listened, imagining the lives of emperors and concubines who lived in the Forbidden City over hundreds of years. I remembered that 24 emperors lived in the Forbidden City, the purpose of each area, and the uniqueness of Yanxi Palace. Thank you for making this trip so enriching! It's perfect for bringing children; they will definitely gain a lot of knowledge!

🌟 Tour guide Ho was our guide for this trip. Not only was he extremely knowledgeable about the historical stories of the attractions, but he also explained them in an interesting and clear manner. Beyond appreciating the sights, he imparted a wealth of historical knowledge and conveyed his passion and respect for the Forbidden City. We also greatly appreciated his engaging role-playing, which brought the stories to life. Furthermore, he is a very thoughtful and experienced guide, providing many important reminders on how to reach the meeting point before departure, which allowed us to arrive easily and on time. His overall service was very professional, and his knowledge of the attractions was extensive. Guide Ho was very friendly, gentle, and polite. He gave us a wonderful journey, and we highly recommend booking his services.

As the first light of dawn barely touched the eaves of the Corner Tower, I was already standing outside the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City. The red walls glowed with a warm luster in the morning mist, like cinnabar softened by time. Last night's raindrops still clung to the glazed tiles, shattering into a crisp sound with every passing breeze. Crossing the Golden Water Bridge, the flagstones were damp, reflecting the pale blue of the sky. The bronze cranes in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony were still shrouded in shadow, their beaks' intricate patterns gradually illuminated by the dawn. The delicate lines carved by artisans centuries ago now held tiny pools of dew. There was no clamor of crowds, only the rustle of a sweeping monk's bamboo broom across the ground, a sound that seemed to carry the faint footsteps of palace attendants from six hundred years ago. Walking along the corridors of the Eastern Six Palaces, the mottled patterns on the vermilion pillars were strikingly clear in the morning light. Behind a slightly ajar window lattice, the shadow of an old locust tree stretched diagonally across the blue bricks, like an ink wash painting blurred by time. I suddenly recalled historical records stating that the window paper here was once soaked in tung oil, allowing light through while blocking wind. Looking at the fragmented, golden sunlight filtering through the windowpanes, it was as if I saw the silks being dried by palace residents a century ago. By the time I reached the Imperial Garden, morning dew still clung to the leaves of the intertwined branches. The two cypress trees, said to have been planted during the Wanli era, intertwined their branches into a net in the morning light, casting shimmering patches of light across the ground. The dew on the stone table rippled with the breeze, and for a moment, I imagined the laughter of palace maids playing chess here, dissipating into the air with the moisture. The most unforgettable moment was reaching the Corner Tower just as the morning sun leaped over the moat's waters. The entire structure of the Corner Tower, with its nine beams and eighteen pillars, stretched out in the golden light. The auspicious beasts on the eaves suddenly came alive, as if they would leap into the morning light in the next second. The moat's surface reflected the Corner Tower's silhouette, breaking into a myriad of shimmering gold flakes, making it hard to distinguish whether the tower was in the water or the water was within the tower. As I left, the clamor of tourists gradually spread past the Meridian Gate. Looking back at the red walls and yellow tiles, the Forbidden City in the morning light resembled an old man just awakening, his eye wrinkles still holding untold stories. The stone steps smoothed by time, the window lattices dampened by morning dew, all quietly whispered: history, so-called, is never cold text, but a trembling leaf in the morning light, an undried drop of dew, a sigh carried away by the wind.

Our Beijing Forbidden City tour on July 6, 2025, booked through Klook, was made incredibly enriching and unforgettable thanks to the guidance of tour guide Zhao Yongli. She absolutely deserves a five-star rating! Guide Zhao possesses an astonishingly deep understanding of the Forbidden City's history and culture. Unlike typical guides who merely recite facts, she brought to life the stories behind every palace and artifact within the Forbidden City, making them captivating and vivid. Our group felt as if we had traveled through time, personally experiencing the grandeur and splendor of the Forbidden City. Guide Zhao not only imparted knowledge but also encouraged us to ponder the significance of history, making the entire visit truly inspiring. Despite the hot Beijing weather in July, Guide Zhao's meticulous care and thoughtfulness made us feel incredibly warm. She constantly reminded everyone to stay hydrated and checked on each group member's well-being, ensuring everyone could comfortably complete the itinerary. These considerate actions demonstrated her extensive experience in leading tours and her genuine concern for her group members. Guide Zhao maintained an excellent pace during her explanations, making the entire visit smooth and unhurried, allowing us to explore the vast Forbidden City with ease. We sincerely thank Guide Zhao for providing us with such a wonderful cultural journey through the Forbidden City! Guide Zhao is not just a tour guide; she is like a knowledgeable friend, leading us to a profound understanding of this world-class cultural treasure. We highly recommend Zhao Yongli (Guide Zhao) to anyone hoping for an in-depth experience of Beijing's Forbidden City!

As a first-time visitor to Beijing, the Forbidden City was a must-see. Since I was on a morning tour, tour guide Lu informed us via KLOOK the day before that we needed to queue for entry by 8:15 AM, followed by a security check. Around 8:40 AM, I met tour guide Lu at the designated meeting point. Throughout the entire tour, tour guide Lu meticulously explained historical allusions and the history of various artifacts within the palace to all participants, which was incredibly informative. We gained a wealth of knowledge about the official history of the Forbidden City as well as popular folklore. Tour guide Lu was very professional; at each new location, she would stop to provide explanations. I am very fortunate to have had tour guide Lu lead this trip, making my Forbidden City experience truly enjoyable. Thank you, tour guide Lu.

（1）The tour guide arranged for this trip is "Zhao Yongli" from Letu Travel. The day before the trip, an email notification will be sent to inform you of the meeting time, location, and important notes. （2）The meeting point is inside the museum, and the guide will be waiting for you there. （3）On the day of the tour, you need to pass security and enter the park yourself. The identification document you used when purchasing this tour is your pass (for example, if I entered my Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, I would show that for museum entry inspection), so there's no need to get an additional ticket. （4）There is no parking available around the Forbidden City. If you want to arrive at the meeting point on time, it is recommended to allow at least 30 minutes for walking + security check + queuing. （5）Because the tour guide uses a new type of portable loudspeaker for the entire explanation, group members need to wear earphone receivers. Therefore, each person will first pay a ¥50 RMB deposit (WeChat Pay or cash are accepted). This will be refunded to you after the tour, so there's no need to worry. I just think this should be noted on the purchase page to avoid disputes. （6）Throughout the entire process, Guide Zhao explained everything very diligently. Half of our group were Hongkongers, and among them were two seniors over 70 who found it a bit difficult to understand Mandarin. The guide also slowed down his speech, maintained a very good and polite attitude, and shared many historical anecdotes about the attractions. At least my 70-year-old mother felt that the cost was well worth it. And when the elderly are satisfied, they won't complain throughout the entire trip~😌

On June 25th, we participated in a guided tour of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Our guide, Xiaolu, thoughtfully reminded us the day before about walking routes to avoid crowds, which saved us a lot of time. Her humorous and detailed explanations on the day immersed both adults and children in the historical stories of the Forbidden City's culture and ancient artifacts. Guide Xiaolu also brought along rich supplementary materials and photos, filling in details about areas under renovation that we couldn't see. Despite the hot weather, she carefully led us to shaded spots at appropriate times, allowing us to fully appreciate every part of the Forbidden City. The entire tour was very rewarding, and both adults and children were satisfied and happy.

Following a guided tour through the Forbidden City from beginning to end is the only way to truly understand the function and history of each palace. The Palace Museum is truly vast, and you need someone to explain the historical origins of each courtyard to clearly understand where you are. From the grand halls where court was held to the courtyards of the imperial concubines in the back palace, and the beautiful imperial gardens, the emperors and empresses of old truly lived a life of luxury 🌟

Yesterday, I attended a three-hour guided tour of the Forbidden City. Tour guide Lu was excellent and very willing to help take photos. The tour explanation was very detailed, and he would help find cooler spots for explanations. If other tourists secretly followed us to listen to the explanation, he would politely ask them to leave. Although the Forbidden City is really sunny, it's still worth visiting if you like Qing Dynasty history. Here are some photos the guide gave out, as well as some I took myself.

The weather was great on Saturday, November 15th. This morning, tour guide Zhao Nan took our family around the Forbidden City. We are very grateful for his explanations. Not only did the adults feel immersed and learn many true historical stories, but most importantly, our seven-year-old child, who had no prior knowledge of ancient palace history, was able to listen to the tour with great interest and didn't feel bored at all for three hours. Thank you, tour guide Zhao Nan, for giving us a wonderful morning.