Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking (Optional: guide service)

Recommended by 96% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Beijing, China

Very popular!

5+ bookings in the past 6 hours.

2 to 4 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered

Why travelers loved this

4.8

· Zhang_M ·

Jul 2026

Candice is probably the best tour guide I’ve ever had in China. She’s so fluent in English and explaining things so well. We enjoyed a lot during our tour at the forbidden city. Kids learned so much about the culture and history. We will certainly book a trip with her again.

· FabioAdamo_Z ·

May 2026

Perfect tour, Michael was an amazing guide, introducing us to the history and architecture, making the visit great

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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
Live guide ( for Forbidden City group tour option only)

Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Hotel Kapok Beijing
No.16 Donghuamen Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006 China

Pickup details

If you have booked stand‑alone tickets only, please proceed to the Meridian Gate security checkpoint on your own and present your passport for entry. If you have selected the Forbidden City group tour option, please arrive on time for the meeting at the entrance of Kapok Hotel Donghuamen. Late arrivals will not be admitted to the Forbidden City.

Drop-off point

Jingshan Front Street
Jing Shan Qian Jie, 景山 Xi Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China

What To Expect

Donghuamen

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Meridian Gate (Wu Men)

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian)

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Gate of Heavenly Purity

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Palace of Earthly Tranquility

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Hall of Middle Harmony (Zhonghe Dian)

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
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)
Chinese tourists( including Taiwan and Hongkong ) must book over 8 days in advance.
This is only pre-booking service, if we get the ticket then the comfirmation letter will received 6 days in advance.
The ticket is only valid on the day you book to travel
Please note that Chinese nationals including visitors from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan must book tickets 7 days in advance for the Forbidden City. We cannot accept any bookings made within 7 days of the visit date.
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

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8

based on 1,496 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Sort by: Most insightful

Must do Tour in Beijing

Marcelo_H, Aug 2026

The tour was exceptionally well organized, from start to finish. Communication prior to the trip was excellent, directions were clear, and we departed on schedule. During the summer, the ticket office is very busy, so it took us almost one hour to enter the Forbidden City. However, this didn’t have a negative impact on the overall experience. The tour covers an impressive amount of ground and highlights all key attractions, including historical buildings, bridges, gates, plazas, artwork, furniture, and gardens. It provided a comprehensive overview of this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site. A special shout out to our guide Jade, who was absolutely outstanding. She was incredibly knowledgeable, attentive and passionate about sharing the history and significance of each location. She took great care of each participant, asked interesting questions to keep all engaged, answered all inquiries with patience and expertise, and made the experience both educational and enjoyable. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Beijing. It was a memorable experience and one of the highlights of te our trip.

Response from Host, Aug 2026

Dear Guest Thank you sincerely for your detailed and thoughtful review! We are thrilled that our tour was seamlessly arranged from beginning to end, and you were satisfied with our pre-trip communication, clear directions and punctual departure. We fully acknowledge that ticket offices get extremely crowded during summer peak season, which led to around an hour’s waiting time before entering the Forbidden City, and we’re glad this did not dampen your overall experience. It brings us great joy to know you gained a thorough understanding of this precious UNESCO World Heritage Site, covering historic architectures, gates, courtyards, artworks, furnishings and imperial gardens. We are especially proud that our guide Jade impressed you deeply with her profound historical expertise, thoughtful care and genuine passion. It’s wonderful that she kept the group engaged with interactive questions, patiently responded to all your queries, and blended knowledge and fun perfectly throughout the visit. We will pass all your heartfelt praise to Jade without delay. Thank you wholeheartedly for your strong recommendation. We cherish that this tour has become a highlight of your Beijing journey, and wish you delightful travels for the rest of your trip Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

The tour was very good...

Per_S, Aug 2026

The tour was very good and Jade was a great tour guide, very personable, answered all questions and even helped getting ticket to tianmen square.

Response from Host, Aug 2026

Dear Guest Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We are delighted to know you enjoyed the tour and were impressed by Jade’s service. It’s wonderful to hear she was approachable, responded to all your questions and assisted you with tickets for Tiananmen Square. We will forward all your kind comments to Jade immediately. Wish you lovely travels ahead! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

Skip the Guide…Just buy a Ticket

April_G, Jul 2026

Very Slow and Long! Should have just bought a ticket with no guide. Didn’t really learn much. Only nice thing was guide took some photos of me and my daughter but when I looked at them after the tour they were not good.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Dear April, Thank you very much for sharing your honest feedback after the tour. We are truly sorry to hear the experience failed to meet your expectations. We regret that you found the tour pace slow and lengthy, and felt you gained limited information from the guide. We also feel disappointed that the photos taken for you and your daughter did not turn out well. We will forward all your comments directly to our tour team, to train our guides on adjusting tour rhythm, delivering richer commentary and improving photography skills for guests. We sincerely hope you can give us another opportunity to offer you a much better travel experience in Beijing in the future. Best regards Lily

Unforgettable forbidden city family trip

Zhang_M, Jul 2026

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Dear Guest Thank you for this wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear Candice is one of the best tour guides you have met in China. It makes us happy that you were impressed by her fluent English and clear, vivid explanations. We are especially glad your children learned plenty about Chinese culture and history while exploring the Forbidden City. We will pass all your high praise to Candice immediately. We look forward to welcoming you and your family again for another fantastic tour with her! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

It was a very easy and...

Wilhelm_L, Jun 2026

It was a very easy and convenient way to get tickets. We didn’t book a guide. Be prepared for large crowds and people poking you with umbrellas.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Dear Guest, Thanks a lot for sharing your real experience and practical reminders! We’re glad the ticket booking process was simple and convenient for you. Thank you for kindly reminding other visitors about the big crowds and occasional minor inconveniences like being jostled by other tourists' umbrellas during peak visiting hours. Hope you still had a nice time touring the attractions. Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

Informative Walking Tour Amazing Place

Natalie_H, Jun 2026

Our guide Rita was wonderful. Her English was very good and she provided so many historic facts it really enriched the tour. The day was hot and she guided us to the few shady spots when she was going to be speaking for more than a few minutes. Great job! Would highly recommend!!!! For people reading this if it is a summer day please come prepared. The sun is strong and the majority of the Forbidden City is paved adding to the heat. There are water breaks but sun gear is needed.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Dear Guest Thank you for your detailed review! We're thrilled Rita's fluent English and rich historical insights made your tour rewarding. It's sweet of you to notice she thoughtfully took you to shaded areas on the hot day. Thanks for the useful summer tips too! We highly appreciate your recommendation. Wish you all the best! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

I had a great time seeing...

Nailen_M, Jun 2026

I had a great time seeing the Forbidden City with Rita. I was the only person who showed up for my time slot, so I had a private tour all to myself! She shared lots of interesting stories about the history of the Imperial Palace, the succession of emperors, daily life inside the walls, political intrigue, and more. I feel like I learned a ton, more than I expected. There were a lot of interesting artifacts on display, and even though some spots were quite crowded, people cycled through fast enough that I was able to get a good picture of everything I wanted.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Dear Guest Thank you for your lovely review! We're delighted you enjoyed your private tour of the Forbidden City with Rita. It's great to hear her vivid stories about history and ancient life brought the palace to you. Wish you a wonderful rest of your trip! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

Engaging tour!

Hope_P, Jun 2026

Sofia was a great a guide — very knowledgeable and engaging, she really brought the city to life!!!!

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Dear Guest Thank you for your lovely comment! We're so glad you had a wonderful experience with Sofia. It's great to hear her vivid explanations made Beijing so appealing. Wish you a fantastic trip! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

Skip the stress, book here

Mark_L, Jun 2026

I can’t recommend Sophia enough for anyone visiting the Forbidden City. She was incredibly informative and detailed, bringing each hall and courtyard to life with historical context and little-known facts. Honestly, trying to navigate the Forbidden City without a guide would have been overwhelming – there’s very limited information on-site about each location, and you’d miss so much of the story. We were lucky to have a small group – just 6 people total, including my own group of 4. That made the experience feel personal and easygoing. Sophia also provided earpieces, so we could hear every word clearly even when there were crowds around. Communication before the trip was excellent too. She coordinated everything seamlessly – from confirming passport numbers to arranging the meet-up location. Everything went smoothly.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Dear Guest Thank you for your glowing recommendation! Sophia is absolutely delighted that her detailed historical narrations helped bring every hall and courtyard of the Forbidden City vividly to life for your small group. She’s glad the private earpieces allowed you to catch every interesting lesser-known fact amid busy tourist crowds, saving you the trouble of exploring blindly with scarce on-site introductions. We’re also pleased all pre-trip coordination including passport confirmation and meeting point arrangement went seamlessly. Your warm praise means a great deal to us, and we wish you an amazing rest of your Beijing journey! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

Forbidden City Tours

Jane_C, Jun 2026

Quite a lot of walking, possibly better in cooler weather. Sophia very knowledgeable. Small group tour.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Dear Guest Thank you for your honest feedback! Sophia is glad you found her historic explanations informative on this small-group tour. We’ve noted your tip about the substantial walking and cooler visiting weather for future guests. Hope you enjoy the rest of your Beijing trip! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

Very interesting but...

Timothy_C, May 2026

Very interesting but quite a slog, it gets very hot and crowded. For the most part there is no access into the buildings themselves. Definitely bring water and a sun umbrella or hat. Our guide Sofia was very efficient at getting us through the crowds and had great knowledge of the history. Her English was very good although some of our group had difficulty with her accent.

Response from Host, May 2026

Dear Guest Thank you for your honest feedback. Sofia is glad she could guide you efficiently and share historical stories. We appreciate your practical tips for other visitors and will take note of your comment about the accent. Wish you a pleasant rest of your trip! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

Forbidden City

Annie_C, May 2026

Sofia is very knowledgeable and had provided a detailed explanation on the history of the Forbidden City. Coordination of logistics was seamless. Highly recommended!

Response from Host, May 2026

Dear Guest Thank you for your lovely review! Sofia is glad her detailed introductions about the Forbidden City impressed you. We appreciate your recommendation and wish you a great trip! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

Good patience

FooiLee_C, May 2026

Small group better to follow. Good explaination from Sophia🙂. Company book ticket everything easy and no hassle

Response from Host, May 2026

Dear Guest Thank you for your nice review! Sophia is glad you enjoyed the small group tour and her explanations. We're happy all arrangements went smoothly for you. Enjoy your trip! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

Great guide

FabioAdamo_Z, May 2026

Perfect tour, Michael was an amazing guide, introducing us to the history and architecture, making the visit great

Response from Host, May 2026

Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted you had a perfect tour experience. Michael did an amazing job introducing profound history and exquisite architectural features, making your sightseeing journey truly enjoyable and meaningful. We will surely pass your heartfelt praise to Michael. Wish you a pleasant journey! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

Deep history

Anonymous, May 2026

Don't just follow everyone and be stuck in the crowd. The place is large enough to find less hectic spots, explore a little.

Response from Host, May 2026

Dear Guest, Thanks a lot for your valuable sharing and sincere tip! It’s really wise advice. There are plenty of quiet and pleasant corners at the scenic spots. You can stay away from crowded crowds, take your time to wander around and enjoy the scenery peacefully. We will also remind other guests of this practical suggestion. Wish you enjoy every moment of your travel! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

Really enjoyable tour!!

Eva_K, May 2026

Really enjoyable tour and educational! Candice was knowledgeable and entertaining. I loved this tour! Be prepared to walk a lot.

Response from Host, May 2026

Dear Guest, Thank you for your lovely review! We’re delighted you had such an enjoyable and educational tour. It’s great to know Candice shared rich knowledge and kept the trip lively and interesting. Thanks for your kind reminder that plenty of walking is needed here. We will pass your nice comments to Candice warmly. Wish you a pleasant rest of your trip! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

Michael was such an...

Paige_H, May 2026

Michael was such an amazing tour guide! He was so helpful and overall I had an amazing experience!!!

Response from Host, May 2026

Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! We are overjoyed to hear Michael is such an amazing and helpful guide, and that you had a fantastic tour experience. We will definitely pass your warm praise to Michael. Hope to see you again in Beijing soon! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

Very nice and interesting...

Egor_Z, May 2026

Very nice and interesting guide service, the tickets were included and the language was simple and good. It's possible to leave the group and travel by ourselves. The guide's name was Summer.

Response from Host, May 2026

Dear Guest, Thank you for your nice review! We’re glad you enjoyed our pleasant and informative guiding service. It’s great that all tickets were covered and the explanation was easy to understand. We are also happy that you could freely leave the group and explore on your own as you like. We will pass your kind praise to guide Summer sincerely. Wish you a nice trip! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

Great afternoon

Tina_V, May 2026

Jade was a very informative and attentive guide. Thoroughly enjoyed her company and the experience! Thank you

Response from Host, May 2026

Dear Tina Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad you had a fantastic experience with guide Jade. It’s wonderful to hear she was informative, attentive, and made your tour truly enjoyable. We really appreciate your kind words and thanks to Jade. Hope to welcome you back to explore Beijing again soon! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

Interesting tour of the Forbidden City….

Ian_G, May 2026

Good communication the day before the tour, and good advice to grab an umbrella before the tour. Sofia provided a well-paced tour of the Forbidden City, providing information about each of the main sites, and answering all the questions we asked. Good fun. Many thanks.

Response from Host, May 2026

Dear Ian Thank you for your lovely review! We really appreciate our team’s clear communication the day before the tour and the thoughtful reminder to bring an umbrella. It’s wonderful to hear Sofia led a well-paced Forbidden City tour, shared detailed introductions of all the main sites, and patiently answered all your questions. We’re so glad you had a fun and enjoyable experience. We’ll pass your sincere thanks to Sofia, and we hope to welcome you back to explore more of Beijing’s charm soon! Best regards, Lily's Beijing Tours Team

Forbidden City tour

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.

Sofia was our tour guide....

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

Best Great Wall Trip

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

Excellent tour!

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

Our guide was Bruce and...

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

They booked the tickets...

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

Very long lines and big...

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

Tha tour agent was very...

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

Unforgettable experience!

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

Forbidden city

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

Likely to Sell Out