Forbidden City (Palace Museum) Tours and Tickets

Tickets to the Forbidden City cost different amounts in peak and off-peak seasons. At peak (April–October) tickets cost CNY60, about US$8. At off-peak (November–March) tickets cost CNY40, about US$5.50. Kids under 6 are free, and those 7–18 pay CNY20 (roughly US$2.75).

Yes, the Forbidden City is open to tourists and is not, in fact, forbidden. However, not all areas are accessible at all times. Around 70 percent is accessible at one time, with other areas closed for restoration or maintenance. Further, the city is closed on Mondays, except on public holidays.

Tourists can visit ancient buildings, galleries, palaces, throne rooms, gardens, and other public and once-private areas in the Forbidden City. Galleries display furniture, weapons, sculptures, clocks, porcelain, calligraphy, arts, treasure, and more. You also can climb parts of the 32-foot (10-meter) wall for views across the citadel and Beijing.

Most tourists who have the Forbidden City on their bucket list make a beeline for the three great halls which were significant to the Chinese government during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The emperor would change his clothes in the Hall of Preserving Harmony. Meanwhile the emperor used the Hall of Supreme Harmony, located at the Forbidden City’s central axis, for ceremonies. It’s the largest wooden structure in China. The Hall of Central Harmony is the third hall, where the emperor would rest.

The best time to visit the Forbidden City is spring (April–May) and fall (September–November). This is when the weather generally is good for exploring the complex. April to October is the busy peak season. Visit in the early morning or later afternoon during these months to avoid the thickest crowds.

There is no specific dress code for visiting the Forbidden City, and tourists in China generally can wear whatever they like. Wear comfortable shoes for walking—this palace complex is the largest in the world—and dress appropriately for the season’s weather, as there are both indoor and outdoor areas.

Many visitors make a 2–3 hour trip to the Forbidden City to see the highlights, but this is the minimum amount of time. You could spend a full day or more at the Forbidden City learning about Chinese history, culture, art, and architecture among the 900+ buildings in the complex.