Forbidden City Palace Museum Ticket Booking - with Guide Option
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Beijing, China
- 2 to 4 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Beijing’s UNESCO-listed Forbidden City is famous for its striking architecture and far-reaching history–as well as its long entry lines. Upon booking, provide your name and passport number, then just show your passport on arrival to enjoy hassle-free admission to the museum and palace complex, free to dedicate as much time as you need to explore the site’s 72 hectares.
- Use your passport as your ticket to enter through the Meridian Gate
- Discover the Gate of Divine Prowess, Dragon Throne, and more
- Browse the Palace Museum’s 1.8 million-strong collection of artifacts
- Learn more about China’s rich history and cultural traditions
What's Included
- Admission ticket to the Forbidden City.
- Admission - The Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghe Dian)
- Admission - The Hall of Preserved Harmony (Baohe Dian)
- Admission - The Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Gong)
- Admission - Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunning Gong)
- Admission - The Imperial Garden
- Free of charge for children under 6. Please show passport on-site.
- This service is exclusively for overseas clients. Not available to Chinese citizens.
- NO guide service for ticket booking only.
- NO transportation for ticket booking only option.
Meeting and Pickup
Departure Point
- Meridian Gate (Wu Men), The Entrance Gates Of Gugong, Beijing 100006 China
What To Expect
1
Meridian Gate (Wu Men)
Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 7 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- The ticket is booked under your passport, all visitors must present a passport for direct entry at the Meridian Gate.
- Please ensure that your name and passport number is accurately provided.
- Visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan must book tickets in advance using their Mainland Travel Permit and ensure the correct ID type is selected.
- Chinese visitors using ID cards may book tickets independently via the official mini-program.
- Tickets are only valid for the selected date. Entry is strictly limited to the reserved time slot.
- This is a pre-booking service. Tickets are released 7 days in advance, and confirmations will be sent upon issuance.
- Entrance: The Meridian Gate; Two Exit: Shenwu Gate (near Jingshan Park)/ Donghua Gate (near Wangfujing Street).
- If you booked the "Ticket Only" service, please proceed to the Meridian Gate independently, no meeting point is arranged.
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 158 reviews
Wes_Y, Jul 2025
It actually worked. It saved my time and effort for booking this very popular place. Highly recommend it.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear Wes_Y,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback and high recommendation! We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that our ticket booking service for the Forbidden City worked seamlessly for you and saved you valuable time and effort. And It means a great deal to us that we could contribute to a smoother start to your visit to this historic treasure.
Should you plan to explore more of Beijing’s amazing attractions in the future, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d be delighted to assist with your bookings again. Thank you for trusting us with your experience, and we hope you cherished every moment at the Palace Museum!
Warm regards,
Leonidas_K, Jun 2025
All went well regarding this activity - reservation gives you a window of entry (min 3 hours) from the time you requested the entry.
1 thing to be improved is the clarity of the communication when reservation is done which is 7 days prior to the date snd should state tat reservation is completed and you only need to bring the passport with you (for other events in Beijing you also receive a paper conformation of the reservation which you need to bring along)
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Leonidas_K,
Thanks for your feedback! We're glad the activity went well. And we well noted on improving the reservation confirmation clarity. Should you require any further assistance or support during your travels, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Best regards,
Riccardo_C, Jun 2025
Perfect service!
I ve booked tickets on my sofà
We have shown our passports at the entrance, no need to show tickets.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Riccardo_C,
Thank you for your kind words! It's great to know the booking process was seamless, and yes it is very simple to enter the Forbidden City once you have a confirmed E ticekt. We aim to make every detail of your visit effortless, and we're so glad this came through for you. Thanks again for choosing us, and please contact us freely should you need any information or assistance! Warm regards,
EllyKamaruzzaman, Jun 2025
Forbidden city is too big for a walk but this ticket makes it seamless. Do plan your day because i made the mistake of going to forbidden city on the day i arrived beijing and we were super tired. Nevertheless, the experience was great and the view was breathtaking
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear EllyKam,
Thank you for sharing your experience of visiting the Forbidden City and choosing us for your ticket needs! We’re so glad the booking process was seamless for you, and we agree that exploring such a vast historic site can be quite a walk—your tip about planning the day ahead is incredibly helpful, especially for travelers arriving in Beijing with some jet lag or fatigue.
Thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey. We hope your future adventures in Beijing and beyond are equally memorable. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help planning your next trip, we’d love to assist. Warm regards,
Trond_B, May 2025
Works well. They scanned our passport upon entry. That was basically it, smoot entrance to the Forbidden City.
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear Trond,
Thank you for entrusting us with your ticket to Forbidden City. We wholeheartedly hope that your journey to China was filled with truly memorable experiences for you. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we would be delighted to have the privilege of serving you again in the future. Best regards,
Karolina_P, May 2025
Meet my expectations, no issues upon entering. Clear description was given at every step of the booking. Experience well described on webpage.
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear Karolina,
Thank you for entrusting us with your entrance tickets to Forbidden City and it's a great honor to have you as our valued client, and we sincerely hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future. Best regards,
Konstantinos_T, Apr 2025
Smooth and enjoyable experience despite the large crowds. Highly recommended! The place is huge but easy to navigate.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Dear valued guest,
We are delighted to hear that you had a smooth and enjoyable visit to the Forbidden City! Thank you for choosing our service to book the tickets. It's great that even with the large crowds, you still managed to have a wonderful time. We're also glad the navigation within the vast palace was hassle-free for you.
We hope you've created lasting memories there. Your high recommendation is truly appreciated, and if you plan any more trips or need further travel assistance, we're always at your fingertips. Have a great journey ahead! Best regards,
KarlThomas_J, Mar 2025
It was a smooth transaction and instructions are given how to get in. Unfortunately, its not for solo travellers who like to have good photos. Since Tripods are not allowed. Even placing your phone in a flat platform is not allowed. I wish I was warned about this beforehand. Kinda bummer once your inside.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Dear respected guest,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the photo restrictions. We truly understand your disappointment as capturing memorable photos is an important part of the travel experience. Your feedback is highly valued, and we will take it into consideration to explore possibilities of providing more explicit pre-visit notices. We hope that, overall, you were still able to relish the unique charm and profound history of the Forbidden City. Should you have any further comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to let us know. Best regards,
Francesco_M, Feb 2025
Book for forbidden square, had no issues at all. Communication was always clear. Recommended if you don't want to struggle with finding tickets.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Dear valued customer,
It is essential to book tickets to the Forbidden City in advance before your arrival, as they tend to sell out very rapidly. However, once the tickets are secured, gaining entry to the site is extremely straightforward. Visitors merely need to present their passports at the entrance. Thank you for choosing to book with us and your recommendation, and we look forward to serving you again in the future.
Best regards,
Gabor_K, Nov 2024
Very good experience, the forbidden city is beautiful. We entered through tienanmen square. The queue was large and took us at least 30mins to enter but it was really nice. I think you can spend one day in the forbidden city. Prepare with food and drinks as there arent many coffes or restaurants. You exit at the north side of the city, from where metro stations are a bit far.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Dear valued customer,
Thank you for your kind suggestion. It's indeed a brilliant idea to bring some snacks with you when planning a longer visit to the Forbidden City. We sincerely hope that all visitors have an enjoyable experience there and that your tour of Beijing is both memorable and pleasant.
Best regards,
Guy_D, Nov 2024
Everything worked well. The ticket was purchased in advance. I just showed my passport at the security check and was granted entry.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Dear valued customer,
Thank you for your reviews. We hope you have a wonderful time in Beijing. Should you require any assistance in planning your trip to China, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Best regards,
Best regards,
PekLin_S, Nov 2024
A trustworthy website with prompt follow-up via email. I was really happy that Viator got the Forbidden City/Palace Musuem ticket for me. It would have been difficult getting one on my own since I do not have a local Chinese number and the tickets get snapped up really quickly once they go on sale a week in advance. Viator made it all so easy! Once that was done, all I had to do was turn up on the morning of the visit with my passport. I spent the day walking through the palace grounds and appreciating the magnificence and grandeur of this iconic palace. Thanks for the arrangement!
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Dear valued customer,
We are thrilled to learn that you enjoyed your exploration of the Forbidden City. Pre-booking ensures a hassle-free experience, and we sincerely hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future.
Best regards,
MarieLuise_C, Oct 2024
Buying the tickets worked out great. You don't get an actual ticket so make sure the passport numbers and names are correct. At the gate they scanned our passports and we got in. :) Definitely recommend 👍
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Dear valued customer,
Thank you for your kind and positive review of our ticket booking service. We hope that you enjoyed exploring the historical grandeur of the Forbidden City. Should you require any further assistance with tour arrangements, train tickets, or admission tickets, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are always here to serve you and ensure that your travel experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Best regards,
Hiroko_P, Oct 2024
Without help we would have not been able to see Forbidden city. Very thankful for their help.
It was one of the most wonderful experiences of our lives.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Dear valued customer,
Thank you so much for posting this review. It is indeed crucial to book tickets in advance for top attractions like the Forbidden City. We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your sightseeing in Beijing, and we eagerly await the opportunity to serve you on your next trip to China.
Best regards,
Cristian_B, Oct 2024
It was impressive,as history,dimensions,symbols.But very crowded.They know how handel with a lot of people like it was when we were there,very organised.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Dear valued customer,
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We are delighted to know that you enjoyed the stunning views of the Forbidden City. Being one of the most important sites in China, The Forbidden City does attract numerous visitors throughout the world. Please contact us freely should you need any information or help.
Best regards,
Pramitha_R, Sept 2024
Once in a lifetime experience. It was a massive structure, lots of tourists were there on the day we went. But the entry was efficiently managed by the security
Response from Host, Sept 2024
Dear valued customer,
We are delighted to know that you have a good time in Forbidden City. We sincerely hope that your trip to Beijing is filled with wonderful memories and unforgettable experiences. We are committed to providing you with the best service, so please feel free to contact us at any time if you require any further information or assistance.
Best regards,
Beatriz_S, Aug 2024
The booking system was very easy and quick. The entrance to the forbidden city was also straight forward.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Dear valued customer, Thank you for your valuable reviews on our ticket booking service. We sincerely hope that your trip to Beijing is filled with wonderful memories and unforgettable experiences. We are committed to providing you with the best service, so please feel free to contact us at any time if you require any further information or assistance.
Best regards,
Rachaelh_N, Aug 2024
4 days prior to the ticket booked date i received an email confirming everything is ok. All i had to do on the day was show up at the forbidden palace with my passport and line up correctly. Its perfect!!!!
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Dear valued customer,
Thank you for acknowledging our booking service. We sincerely hope that your tour to Beijing has been, and will continue to be, both enjoyable and unforgettable. We remain at your service and please contact us freely should you need any information or help.
Best regards,
Rmi_D, Aug 2024
Worked as supposed to 👍
Went through main gates with our passports only !
Covenient and Quick, I'd recommend
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Dear valued customer,
Thank you for your kind and positive review of our ticket booking service. We hope that you enjoyed exploring the historical grandeur of the Forbidden City. Should you require any further assistance with tour arrangements, train tickets, or admission tickets, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are always here to serve you and ensure that your travel experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Best regards,
Luca_P, Aug 2024
The tickets reservation service was very helpul, also providing the necessary indications and tips. We managed to enter the Forbidden city smoothly despite the big crowd.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Dear valued customer, Thank you for your kind and positive reviews regarding our ticket booking service. We are thrilled to hear that our service to be helpful and efficient. We hope that despite the crowds, you were able to fully appreciate the grandeur and history of the Forbidden City. It is truly a remarkable site that continues to captivate visitors from all over the world. We sincerely appreciate your trust in us and are grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of your travel experience. We hope that we can continue to serve you in the future and create even more memorable moments for you. Thank you once again for choosing us, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon. Best regards,
Mackey_R, Dec 2021
I purchased a ticket to online "The Forbidden Palace Museum" in Beijing China. After a 45 min trip by I arrive at the Palace to only be told that I did not have a ticket in the system even though I had a digital copy on my phone. Because you have to purchase these tickets 24 hrs. in advance and use your passport to verify it made this a horrible experience.
Ilaria_P, May 2026
The ticket is directly associated with the passport, I did not have any difficulty at the entrance! Also the place was wonderful, recommend!!
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Response from Host, May 2026
Dear Ilaria_P,
Thank you very much for your lovely review and recommendation!
We are so glad to hear your Palace Museum ticket was smoothly linked to your passport and you had no trouble entering at all. It makes us very happy that you enjoyed your visit to this amazing landmark.
Thank you again for your kind feedback. We hope to assist you with your future travel and ticket bookings in China soon.
Best Regards,
luca_m, Apr 2026
not easy to find the entry point, then direct access from the turnstiles with your passport (you only need this, no ticket)
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Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear luca_m,
Thank you very much for your lovely review and honest feedback on your visit to the Forbidden City.
We really appreciate you sharing your experience regarding the entrance access. We are glad everything went smoothly for you with direct entry via the turnstile using only your passport, with no physical ticket needed.
It was our great pleasure to help you book your Forbidden City tickets and ensure a convenient visiting experience during your trip. Our team always tries our best to offer simple and hassle-free ticket arrangements for every guest.
We hope you enjoyed your wonderful time exploring the Forbidden City and wish you a fantastic rest of your journey in China.
Best Regards
Rossella_S, Mar 2026
I booked for the first time. Immediately after booking, the email arrived with an explanation of how to access the site. Very positive experience.
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Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Rossella_S,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!We are really glad to hear that you had a smooth and positive experience booking the Forbidden City tickets with us.
It’s our pleasure to provide you with quick confirmation and clear instructions for your visit.We hope you had an amazing time exploring the Forbidden City, and we look forward to assisting you again on your future trips to China!
Best regards,
Pierpaolo_T, Dec 2025
Wonderful experience, everything worked perfectly after booking your ticket a week in advance.
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Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Pierpaolo_T,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We are delighted to hear that your experience with the Forbidden City ticket booking went smoothly and that you enjoyed your visit. It was our pleasure to assist you, and we look forward to serving you again in the future!
Best regards,
Laura_M, Oct 2025
It was a wonderful experience, everything went well and the guide was very kind, I highly recommend, if we had faced everything alone it would have been difficult.
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Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Laura_M,
Thank you for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that you had a wonderful experience and that our guide was helpful. It was our pleasure to assist you with the Forbidden City tickets, and we look forward to serving you again on your next adventure!
Best regards,
Roberto_S, Aug 2025
Great experience. Simple booking and immediate feedback.
The site, of undisputed beauty, in an ideal world should be visited in other conditions since the thousands of visits a day largely reduce its charm
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Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Roberto_S,
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us! We're glad to hear you found the Forbidden City ticket booking process smooth and efficient.
We truly appreciate your thoughtful suggestion about visiting during quieter periods - it's indeed valuable advice for fellow travelers.
Should you need any assistance with future visits to China's cultural sites, we'd be happy to help arrange the best experience for you.
Warm regards,
Claudia_R, Aug 2025
The chosen time indicates the time from which you can enter. Otherwise, Service easy and efficient. Audio guide in Italian sold separately inside the forbidden city but, at least in our experience, they worked little
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Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Claudia_R,
Thank you for your feedback! We're glad to hear that you found our booking service easy and efficient. Regarding the Italian audio guide provided on-site, we appreciate you sharing your experience and will pass this information along to the Forbidden City team for improvement. If you have any further needs during your visit, please don't hesitate to let us know. Enjoy your time at the Forbidden City!
Best regards,
Sythol_K, Jul 2025
Es war eine erlebnisreiche Reise in der Vergangenheit. Es war wirklich fantastisch. Man sollte es sehen
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear Sythol_K，
Thank you for your positive review! We’re delighted to know you enjoyed your visit to the Forbidden City. We hope your entire trip in Beijing and across China has been filled with wonderful experiences and memorable moments. Please feel free to contact us if you need any further assistance.
Best regards,
Lutz_P, Jun 2025
Great experience, good and nice communication. Recommended experience, also suitable for a layover/stopover.
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Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Lutz_P,
Thank you for booking your Forbidden City entrance ticket with us! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your visit to this iconic historical treasure in Beijing. We hope your time in the city has been filled with wonderful moments. If you need any further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always happy to help!
Best regards,
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