Forbidden City (Gugong)
8.4Friend Score / 10#3 of 14 Attractions in Beijing
Known forforbidden citypalace museumgugongimperial palace
The imperial palace of 24 Ming and Qing emperors — the single unmissable sight in Beijing, and worth flying in for. Book on the official Palace Museum site up to 7 days ahead (60 CNY peak season); tickets sell out fast and there are zero same-day sales. Closed Mondays.
Key facts
| Hours | Tue–Sun 08:30–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Tiananmen East (Line 1); enter from the south via Tiananmen Square security |
| Time needed | 3-5 hours minimum; a full day if you love museums |
| Best time to go | Right at 8:30 opening, weekdays; late autumn for light and thinner crowds |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.4/10- Value9.5
- iconic9.0
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level3.5
- Authenticity9.5
- Accessibility8.0
Frequently asked questions
- Which entrance does the Forbidden City use?
- Everyone enters through the Meridian Gate (Wumen) at the south end and exits at the north or east. Getting to the Meridian Gate means passing through Tiananmen-area security, so budget 30-60 extra minutes. Coming from Tiananmen East subway station is the standard route.
- How much does the Forbidden City cost?
- 60 CNY in peak season (April-October), 40 CNY November-March. The Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery are 10 CNY each extra and both are worth it. That's under $10 for the largest palace complex on earth.
- Is the Forbidden City closed on Mondays?
- Yes, closed every Monday except national holidays. Plan your Beijing itinerary around this — a lot of people lose their only free day to it. Jingshan Park next door stays open, so you can still see the palace from above.
- Do I need my passport to enter the Forbidden City?
- Yes, your physical passport — it is your ticket. The reservation is tied to your passport number and gets scanned at the gate. A photo of your passport won't work.
- What should I do after the Forbidden City?
- Exit the north gate and climb Jingshan Park directly across the street — 2 CNY for the definitive rooftop view over the entire golden-roofed complex. It's the photo you came for and most tour groups skip it.
- How do I get Forbidden City tickets as a foreigner?
- Book on the official Palace Museum website or WeChat mini-program with your passport, up to 7 days ahead — tickets drop at 8pm Beijing time and peak dates go in minutes. There are no ticket windows and no same-day sales. If official channels are sold out, licensed agencies and hotel concierges can sometimes help for a fee.
- How long do you need for the Forbidden City?
- Three hours covers the central axis at a march; five lets you breathe and see the side courtyards, which is where the magic is. You enter from the south (Meridian Gate) and exit north — there's no going back, so don't rush the front half.
- Is the Forbidden City worth it if I hate crowds?
- Yes, but work the edges. The central axis is packed; the eastern and western palace quarters are often nearly empty. Go at 8:30 sharp on a weekday, do the center first, then disappear into the side alleys.
Nearby in Ask Beijing
- Palace Museum (Forbidden City)Museum0.01 km · 0 min walk
- Zhongshan ParkPark0.7 km · 9 min walk
- Donglaishun Mutton HotpotRestaurant1.16 km · 14 min walk
- Siji Minfu Roast DuckRestaurant1.19 km · 15 min walk
- Tiananmen SquareAttraction1.2 km · 15 min walk
Where to stay near Forbidden City (Gugong)
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