Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking (Optional: guide service)
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Beijing, China
- 3 to 4 hours (approx.)
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
It can be difficult to beat the crowds in Beijing. This Forbidden City admission ticket is the perfect way to ensure you have an stress-free visit with no waiting around. Gain access using your passport near the main entrance, close to Tiananmen Square, then explore the palace complex and admire the courtyards and gardens. Choose between morning or afternoon admission; upgrade to add a guide or visit the Treasure Gallery.
- Beat the Beijing crowds and get direct entry to the Forbidden City
- See a top Beijing attraction, which holds UNESCO World Heritage status
- Conveniently use your passport to get entrance access
- Upgrade to explore with a guide or visit the Treasure Gallery
What's Included
- Admission ticket
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Departure Point
- The Palace Museum, No.4 Jingshanqian Street, Beijing 100009 China
What To Expect
1
The Palace Museum
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
2
Hall of Middle Harmony (Zhonghe Dian)
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian)
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
4
Gate of Heavenly Purity
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
5
Palace of Earthly Tranquility
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
6
The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Please note: Passport name and number is required at time of booking for “all participants” upon booking
- Passport is required for all travelers on the day of travel for direct entry. (not for Chinese tourist, Chinese tourist must buy the ticket by ID card information)
- Please ensure all travelers' passport number and full name (must match your passport) is provided and accurate upon booking. Otherwise, you won't be able to access to the attraction
- Chinese tourists( including Taiwan and Hongkong ) must book over 8 days in advance.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- If children's height over 1.2 meters (3'9"), please purchase Youth Ticket upon booking (under 1.2 meters is free to join) Please ensure you follow this restriction upon booking. Don't be risky as Forbidden City will not let your kids in for free if the height is over 1.2 meters.
- This is only pre-booking service, if we get the ticket then the comfirmation letter will received 7 days in advance.
- The ticket is only valid on the day you book to travel
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 1,397 reviews
Genie_A, Apr 2026
We've had a very nice half-day tour around Forbidden City. Our guide Marco was excellent, well organised, really clear, fun and provided us with lots of interesting information.
Mano_C, Apr 2026
Sofia was our tour guide. She was excited to show us around the Forbidden City and patient in responding to questions. Once past the security checks, it took about 10 minutes for Sofia to collect everyone's tickets and rejoin the group. Once inside the complex, she explained the details in the architecture, made sure we stuck together as a group, and gave me enough time to click pictures and catch up with the rest of the group. The group entered through the East gate and I believe I exited on the North side, which opened up to Jingshan Park. I recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Guest
Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful review!
We’re really pleased to hear Sofia was an enthusiastic and patient guide during your visit to the Forbidden City. It’s great that she clearly explained the architectural details, kept the group together, and gave you plenty of time to take photos.
We appreciate you sharing the full experience — from entering through the East Gate to exiting near Jingshan Park.
Your recommendation means a lot, and we’ll be sure to pass on your kind feedback to Sofia.
We hope to welcome you back for another wonderful tour soon!
Best regards,
Lily's Beijing Tours Team
Nada_H, Apr 2026
Kathy is an incredibly professional guide providing historical information and practical tips to ensure an excellent experience at Great Wall. Punctual, ensured we avoided long queues by leaving early and also queuing on our behalf to take toboggan down, also took trouble to explain the dynasties and key info to understand historical events. Tea ceremony was also a nice surprise to round off the day. We highly recommend!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Guest
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We’re thrilled to hear how professional Kathy was, sharing rich historical background and practical tips to make your Great Wall experience truly excellent.
We really appreciate you mentioning her punctuality, how she helped you skip long queues by leaving early and even queued for the toboggan on your behalf, as well as her detailed explanations of the dynasties and key historical events. It’s lovely that the tea ceremony was a pleasant surprise to finish your day perfectly.
Your high recommendation means a lot to us. We will be sure to pass all your kind compliments to Kathy. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back soon
Best regards,
Lily's Beijing Tours Team
RICHARDOS_Z, Apr 2026
Excellent tour without any trouble! Summer was a professional very sweet and knowledgeable guide!!!
I would strongly recommend it
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Guest
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We’re thrilled you had an excellent, trouble-free tour.
So glad Summer was professional, sweet and knowledgeable — she’ll be very happy to hear your kind words.
We really appreciate your strong recommendation
Best regards,
Lily's Beijing Tours Team
Helena_B, Apr 2026
Our guide was Bruce and it was fantastic!
He explained everything in detail and we were delighted.
Thaks!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Guest
Thank you so much for your kind review!
We’re thrilled to hear Bruce was a fantastic guide and explained everything in detail to make your trip delightful.
We’ll pass your appreciation to him
Best regards,
Lily's Beijing Tours Team
Nuzhat_C, Mar 2026
They booked the tickets easily and we then just scanned our passports as tickets. Easy! We def recommend!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Guest
Thank you very much for your kind review!
We're glad our ticket booking service was smooth and convenient for you, making your visit easy and hassle-free.
We really appreciate your recommendation and hope you had a wonderful time!
Best regards,
Lily's Beijing Tours Team
Will_W, Mar 2026
Very long lines and big crowds. Be prepared to wait. Cool experience still. Lots of buildings to see and lots of walking.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Guest
Thank you for your honest review!
We totally understand that popular attractions can have long lines and large crowds, which do require some waiting and plenty of walking.
We’re glad you still had a cool experience and enjoyed seeing the amazing buildings.
We hope you had a great time overall in Beijing!
Best regards,
Lily's Beijing Tours Team
Anna_B, Mar 2026
Tha tour agent was very helpful and flexible. She helped us to change our tour time on a last minute notice. Very efficient and competent. Everything was clarified within one phone call. Amazing service!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Guest
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted our team’s flexibility and efficient service made your last-minute schedule change so smooth. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope you had a wonderful tour experience in Beijing!
Best regards,
Lily's Beijing Tours Team
Vincenzo_C, Mar 2026
We had the pleasure of visiting Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall (Mutianyu) with Lucy, a truly exceptional tour guide. From the very first moment, she proved to be extremely professional, knowledgeable, and passionate about her work. Her knowledge of the history, culture, and local traditions made each stop on the tour interesting and engaging, never boring. She managed to convey curiosities and details that we would have otherwise had difficulty discovering on our own. Furthermore, she was always available, friendly, and attentive to the group's needs, adapting the pace of the tour perfectly. Thanks to her, we had an authentic experience that was much richer than a simple tourist visit. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to truly discover the place we were visiting!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Guest
Thank you for your lovely review!We are thrilled you had such a wonderful private tour with Majjit. She is funny, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about local history and culture. It’s wonderful that she knew all the shortcuts, efficient routes, and best photo spots, making your visit smooth and enjoyable even with large crowds. We really appreciate her thoughtfulness in helping you plan and book dinner after your tour.Your wish to travel with Majjit again means so much to our team. We will happily pass your kind words to her, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another amazing journey together!
Best regards,
Lily's Beijing Tours Team
Pradeep_K, Mar 2026
sofia was wonderful. I enjoyed the trip. Her explanation was clear. I recommend her. We were 3 in our group.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Guest
Thank you for your lovely review!
We are so glad you enjoyed your small-group tour with Sofia. She gave you clear, easy-to-follow explanations and took great care of your party of three. We truly appreciate your recommendation and will share your kind words with Sofia. Hope to welcome you back soon!
Best regards,
Lily's Beijing Tours Team
Paul_B, Mar 2026
Good communication with the agents and driver arrived on time. Nice vehicle and the tour of the wall was great. Would definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Paul
Thank you so much for your kind review!We’re really glad to hear about the smooth communication, on-time service, comfortable vehicle, and wonderful Great Wall tour.It means a lot to us and our team—we’ll be sure to pass your compliments to the agent and driver.Hope to welcome you back for another great adventure soon!
Best regards,
Lily's Beijing Tours Team
Jan_T, Mar 2026
Ideal half a day tour for last minute decisions. Otherwise for individual tourists on-line tickets must be purchased at least one week ahead.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Guest
Thank you so much for your kind review!We’re glad our half-day tour works perfectly for last-minute plans, saving you from the one-week advance ticket rush for individual visitors.Hope you had a wonderful time exploring with us!
Best regards,
Lily's Beijing Tours Team
Luke_R, Feb 2026
Sofía was great! She was very informative and make the experience and enjoyable one. Would definitely go again
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Luke,
Thank you so much for your kind review! We are so happy that Sofía provided you with an informative and enjoyable experience at the Forbidden City.
We really appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back again in the future!
Best regards,
Lily's Tours Beijing Team
Adne_I, Feb 2026
Our guide Summer was great! And we had a good tour at the forbidden city and learned a lot about the history.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Adne,
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We are delighted to hear that Summer was a great guide and that you enjoyed your tour of the Forbidden City while learning so much about its history.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back to explore more of Beijing soon!
Best regards,
Lily's Beijing Tours Team
Jane_D, Feb 2026
This was such a lovely tour of the Forbidden City. Our group was not too large, about 9 people. Our guide Summer was a very experienced and knowledgable guide. There was so much to see and Summer was a great story teller with extensive knowledge. I highly recommend this tour. And ask for Summer if she is available.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Jane,
Thank you ever so much for your wonderful review and kind recommendation!
We are absolutely delighted to hear you enjoyed your lovely tour of the Forbidden City with our small group. It’s wonderful to know that Guide Summer impressed you with her rich experience, extensive knowledge, and great storytelling skills.
We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and for specifically recommending Summer—we will pass on your lovely compliments to her.
We hope to welcome you back to Beijing again soon for more unforgettable adventures!
The best
Lily
Zelena_C, Jan 2026
Such a good tour with Bobo! So interesting to learn about the complex and vast history of the Forbidden City, including various little details that people typically don’t realise! Thank you Bobo for being so warm and friendly, yet so knowledgeable about the Forbidden City.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re so happy you had such a great tour with Bobo around the Forbidden City. It’s wonderful that you got to learn all those fascinating, little-known historical details—she’s incredibly knowledgeable and always loves sharing these hidden stories. We’ll pass your warm thanks straight to Bobo right away!
Finja_B, Jan 2026
Very nice trip to the Great Wall! Convenient meeting point, around 1,5 hours drive each way. Your guide informs you about different booking options for cable ways on the area. You explore the Wall on your own for about 5 hours. Perfect trip if you want a secure transportation, a guide for the bus transport (including shuttle bus on the area) and spend time on your own while being there :) Our guide Lucy was super
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We're so glad you had a wonderful trip to the Great Wall! It's great to hear that the meeting point was convenient, the transportation was secure, and you enjoyed plenty of free time to explore the wall at your own pace. We really appreciate your feedback about Lucy, and we'll be sure to pass along your kind words to her. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience!
momojaddidy, Jan 2026
Visiting the Forbidden Palace with Lily’s Tour company with here guide Bobo was one of our best experiences in Beijing. Bobo shared the history of Ching & Ming dynasties and the history at each part of the palace with such passion and enthusiasm. We definitely recommend Lily’s tour company to future visitors. Please, ask for Bobo as your guide as she will make your tour that much more special
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Wow, this review made our whole day! We’re so happy that your tour of the Forbidden City with Bobo stood out as one of your favorite moments in Beijing. Bobo truly loves bringing the history of the Ming and Qing dynasties to life for our guests, and her enthusiasm is one of a kind. Thank you so much for recommending Lily’s Tour and specifically asking for Bobo—this means the world to our whole team. We hope to have the chance to welcome you back again soon!
Martina_H, Jan 2026
The forbidden city is definitely worthwhile.
We managed to make our own way by metro but that was a bit of a challenge because of language difficulties and Tianmen Square requires a separate ticket.
In hindsight, I would book the guided tour with T. Square and the forbidden city.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Dear Martina,
Thank you taking your valuable time to leave this feedback. Welcome to use our tour guide service. It will make your tour much more interesting.
Regards
lily
Maria_B, Dec 2025
Great tour with Summer as our guide , she is very thorough , knowledgeable and gives good recommendations
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Dear Maria,
Thanks a million for the awesome review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great Forbidden City tour with Summer—her thorough, knowledgeable guidance and fantastic local recommendations make every visit so much more special!
We’ll pass all your lovely words straight to her, she’ll be over the moon to hear she made your tour a great one. Thank you for choosing our tour, and hope those great recommendations make the rest of your Beijing trip amazing 😊
Marek_K, Dec 2025
Excellent, I recommend to those who want to those that want to find out at a glance the story hidden in the forbidden city
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Marek,
Thanks so much for your 5-star review and great recommendation! Thrilled our Forbidden City ticket booking service made it easy for you to explore and discover the amazing stories hidden in the palace. Grateful for your trust, and wish you wonderful memories of this incredible historic spot 😊
Kelsey_B, Dec 2025
Summer from Lily's Tour Company provided a thorough and informative tour of the Forbidden City. She has deep knowledge of the Forbidden City and the history of the Ming and Qing dynasty rulers. Summer's English vocabulary is sometimes imprecise, but we understood what she was trying to convey. I would encourage participants to ask follow-up questions to get the full benefit of Summer's deep knowledge. Summer also pointed out key photo-taking vantage points. The tour lasted three hours.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Kelsey,
Thank you very much for your valuable feedback. We will continue to strive to tell the story, culture, and history of the Forbidden City well. Thank you for your support.
Regards
lily
Michael_B, Nov 2025
Sophia was amazing—such a wonderful trip! Learned so much and saw the beautiful buildings. Lovely weather, too! Highly recommend! The company booked the tickets for me—could not have done it otherwise.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Michael,
Thanks for your fantastic review of our Forbidden City tour! We’re thrilled you had such a wonderful trip with the lovely weather and beautiful sights, and huge kudos to Sophia for making it amazing—we’re so glad you learned so much from her.
It’s our pleasure to handle the ticket bookings for you and take the hassle out of your visit, and we truly appreciate your high recommendation. Hope to welcome you back for more great cultural adventures in Beijing soon!
Stephan_W, Nov 2025
As mentioned with my passport everything worked well. I am very happy. No issues at all. The information was accurate. I can recommend provider. We had a void day in the forbidden city. Also the provider information was good. They mentioned that Tiennman Square was a separate ticket. So I booked separately for same day. Highly recommend provider. Thank you got a wonderful day.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Stepha,
Thanks for your fantastic review and glowing recommendation of our Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall tour! We’re absolutely thrilled your day went perfectly with no issues at all, and that our accurate information—including the separate ticket note for Tiananmen Square—made your planning smooth and easy.
So glad you had a wonderful time exploring the Forbidden City and all the sights, and we truly appreciate you trusting us for your Beijing adventure. Thank you for choosing us, and hope to welcome you back for more great experiences soon!
Daphne_H, Nov 2025
I had an amazing tour of the Forbidden City with Summer. She was knowledgeable, patient, and explained the history in a way that was easy to understand and truly engaging. Summer knew all the best spots for photos and helped make the experience smooth and enjoyable. I highly recommend her if you want a well-guided and memorable visit.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Daphnee,
Thanks so much for your fantastic review! We’re thrilled you had an amazing Forbidden City tour with Summer—her deep knowledge, endless patience, and gift for explaining history in an engaging, easy-to-understand way make every visit so meaningful. It’s wonderful to hear she shared all the best photo spots and made your whole experience smooth and enjoyable too.
We truly appreciate your glowing recommendation of her, and we’ll pass all your kind words straight to Summer right away! 😊
Sonja_D, Nov 2025
Everything worked out perfectly! We could enter the forbidden city with our passports without any problem. Everything was perfect!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hi Sonja,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review—we’re absolutely thrilled that your Forbidden City ticket service went perfectly and you had a seamless entry with your passport!
It’s our pleasure to provide a smooth and hassle-free experience for our guests, and we’re so glad everything worked out exactly as you hoped.
Thank you for choosing our service, and hope you enjoyed every moment of exploring the stunning Forbidden City!
Warm regards,
Francisco_L, Nov 2025
Sofia was a great guide, she explained a lot and was very helpful getting tickets in the ticket gate. During autumn it gets a bit chilly, but other than that great experience. P
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thanks so much for your lovely review! We’re thrilled you had a great Forbidden City experience with Sofia—her detailed explanations made the tour so insightful, and we’re glad she helped smoothly with your ticket entry at the gate.
Huge kudos to **Sofia** for being such a fantastic and helpful guide! We totally get the autumn chill is a little thing to note, and we’re so happy it didn’t take away from your awesome time exploring the palace. Thanks for choosing our service for your Beijing visit 😊
Pierre_M, Nov 2025
Entrance ticket is not that easy (almost impossible) to get by our own. Fortunately this agency, cheapest found, does it for us... of course with some fees.
And they apply senior>60y fare !
Let's see, official fare for senior is abt 3€. I have paid them 6,8€... costing some 3€ to avoid headache ? Bookable months in advance ? It deserves !
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Pierre,
Thank you so much for your honest and helpful review of our Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking service! We’re thrilled to hear we took the huge hassle out of securing your entry tickets—we know how tricky (and nearly impossible) it is to get them on your own, and we’re glad our service saved you the stress and headache.
It’s great to know you appreciated us applying the senior (>60y) fare for you, and that you found the small service fee well worth it for the convenience of booking months in advance and skipping all the ticket troubles.
We truly appreciate you sharing your experience and feedback, and hope to assist you with more of your Beijing travel arrangements if you need them!
Best Regards,
Lily's Tours Beijing Team
Bridget_G, Nov 2025
Great group tour! Meeting place was easy, headsets worked great and our tour guide was very kind, informative, and helpful! I almost visited Forbidden City on my own to just walk around and was so glad I didn’t- I learned a ton and enjoyed the group very much. I highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Bridget,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review and glowing recommendation of our Forbidden City group tour! We’re absolutely thrilled you had such a fantastic experience, and that you’re glad you chose to join our tour instead of exploring on your own—this is exactly what we hope for our guests!
It’s wonderful to hear the meeting point was easy to find, the headsets worked perfectly for a seamless experience, and our tour guide made your visit so enriching with their kindness, informative insights and helpfulness. We’re so happy you learned a ton about the Forbidden City and loved the group dynamic too—making this iconic site come alive for our guests is what we strive for every day.
Thank you for choosing our service, and for sharing how much you enjoyed this guided experience of the Forbidden City!
Best Regards,
Lily's Tours Beijing Team
ayman, Nov 2025
It was really nice tour with a very special tour gide a lot of informations.
It was full of beautiful moves like you got back in the history
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Guest,
Thank you so much for your lovely review of our Forbidden City tour! We’re absolutely thrilled you had such a wonderful experience exploring this iconic landmark with us.
A huge shoutout to our amazing guide for making your tour so special—their wealth of detailed information and engaging storytelling truly brought the Forbidden City’s history to life, making every moment feel like a journey back in time to this incredible era.
It means so much that you loved the beautiful and immersive experience of the tour, and we’re grateful for your kind feedback.
Thanks for choosing Lily's Tours Beijing Team, and hope these unforgettable historical memories of the Forbidden City stay with you always!
Best Regards,
Lily's Tours Beijing Team
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