Forbidden City&T-Square Small GroupTours w/ ticket(Eng/Esp Guide)
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Beijing, China
- 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Tour the UNESCO World Heritage–listed palace complex of Beijing’s Forbidden City to learn more about Chinese history. Your guide leads you through some of the highlights of this enormous, elaborately decorated complex during a morning or afternoon tour—choose a time to suit your schedule. This architectural masterpiece is a highlight of any trip to Beijing, and this tour makes visiting a stress-free, enlightening experience. The tour is available in English and Spanish to suit your language preference.
- Option to add Tiananmen Square tour for more historical context
- Don't miss a thing as your guide shows you all the famous sites
- Simplify your visit to this Beijing historical and cultural highlight
- Be prepared to walk for several hours around the large complex
What's Included
- Admission to the Tian'anmen Square .（optional）
- Admission to the Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
- Admission to the Treasure Gallery (Royal Museum)
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Earpiece to hear the guide clearly
- Late-comers' online support service.
- Reschedule free of charge anytime.( contact us)
- Tips based on well done job.
- other personal expenses.
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
End point
- 故宫文化服务中心4 Jing Shan Qian Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100006
North Gate of the Forbidden City.
Itinerary
1
Tiananmen Square
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
The Palace Museum
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
3
The Antiquarium of The Palace Museum
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- To ensure the success of your ticket booking to the Forbidden City, All traveler “Names and passport number” is required. You MUST provide above info to us upon booking.
- We secure entry tickets.
- Note: Chinese citizens need to book 7 days in advance.
- Not recommended for travelers with wheelchair or limited mobility.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 1,147 reviews
Paolo_A, May 2026
The tour was really interesting, well balanced and the guide spoke a very good English. Everything was organized precisely and efficiently, from the meeting point, to the ticket purchase, to the tips&suggestion provided. Definetly worth it.
Jason_T, May 2026
The experience was amazing. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and nice. I would highly recommend this tour.
Karen_B, May 2026
Good tour with Julia. Longer than usual as it was the May holidays. (If at all possible, avoid the major holidays in China.). Lots of walking, and stopping for explanations. Coffee stop was included, which was appreciated, as was the dumpling stop later in the afternoon. Would recommend tour with Julia.
Vincent_P, May 2026
Do not tour during chinese holiday. Our tour guide was good but due to the chinese holiday, my experience was not pleasant due to the high volume of tourist.
Meneka_G, May 2026
Our tour was very well organised and Song was the best guide we could have asked for. He was very informative and enthusiastic about the history of China and the places we visited.
The car journey was smooth and safe. Also there were two snacks that’s specially from Shanghai was included. They were amazingly delicious and filling. We loved the rice dumplings and the soup dumplings.
We totally recommend Song and this tour if you are in China.
Edouard_W, Apr 2026
It was really great to participate, you dont need to be fluent in english to understand the guide. I booked three day earlier instead of several weeks before in the official website.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for being satisfied with most of our services. We sincerely apologize if there were any inconvenience with the guide’s English communication. We will arrange further professional language training for our team to improve the service experience. We truly appreciate your valuable suggestion and hope to serve you better next time.
Agnieszka_W, Apr 2026
Booking an organized tour helps a lot moving through security, navigating through multiple entrances. Guide was very knowledgable and friendly. If you are into a very slow pace and standing a lot to listen to great historic information this tour is for you.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your valuable review and honest feedback. We truly appreciate your kind recognition of our guide’s professionalism and knowledge. We will also keep optimizing our tour arrangement to offer a more comfortable visiting pace for all guests. Looking forward to welcoming you again.
Ilina_M, Apr 2026
Excellent tour, well organized, very knowledgeable guide, be prepared to walk for several hours.. :)
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your lovely review and kind recognition! We’re glad you enjoyed our well-organized tour and appreciated our knowledgeable guide. We really appreciate your friendly reminder for other guests, and we hope to welcome you again soon!
Tara_S, Apr 2026
Not worth the time or money. Google the history and hit a rooftop bar that overlooks the Forbidden City. The square is literally just you standing in the middle of a cement square looking at four buildings you could see from the street. And within the Forbidden City, there's really not much to look at... building exteriors only really. Theres no art, paintings, artifacts etc (like you'd expect touring a palace in Europe as point of comparison). They're beautiful buildings but... my hotel had a rooftop pool I could oversee the city too. Tour guide Shine was fast, efficient, and kind. At the end of the day he said he would help with restaurants if needed and so I took it (good luck with this in Spain and Italy), but this seemed to be just a place all guides send their guests because tour guide after tour guide would bring people in and help with menu translation and act like they were getting the VIP tour then leave the tourist at this restaurant where everything was overpriced and underwhelming. Clearly some sort of tour guide kickback deal going on which annoyed me. Save your money and save the time standing in 2-3 hours worth of lines to get in - relax at a rooftop bar/restaurant/pool overlooking the city instead.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your honest and detailed feedback.
We sincerely apologize that our Forbidden City tour experience did not live up to your expectations, and we are truly sorry for any disappointment you felt during your visit.
We appreciate your kind recognition of our guide Shine for being professional, efficient and thoughtful throughout the tour. At the same time, we take your feedback about the recommended restaurant and related concerns very seriously. We will conduct a thorough investigation into this matter and strictly regulate our guides’ restaurant recommendation rules to avoid similar situations happening again.
We also value your opinion on the visiting experience and scenic presentation of the Forbidden City, and we will pass on your suggestions to our management team to further optimize our tour arrangement and explanation content.
We deeply regret failing to bring you a satisfying travel experience, and we will earnestly make improvements based on your valuable comments. Thank you again for your candid feedback, which helps us serve every guest better.
Maria_S, Apr 2026
Linda was extremely nice, she knows a lot of interesting things about the forbidden city, it’s so patient and she’s always looking out for the group! I would highly recommend this experience. As a tip, check the weather because if it rains there are not a lot of roofs to cover yourself.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your warm and thoughtful review! 😊
We’re incredibly grateful for your lovely praise of Linda. It makes us so happy to hear she shared so many interesting stories about the Forbidden City, showed great patience, and always took good care of the whole group. Your strong recommendation means a lot to us.
We also really appreciate your kind weather reminder for future guests. We will share your useful tip with our visitors in advance. Thank you again for your wonderful support, and we hope to welcome you back anytime!
Brandon_B, Apr 2026
Taking a combined tour of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square was a fantastic way to experience the scale and history of these two sites. I am so glad we opted for the morning tour. It was a great strategy to beat the biggest crowds and enjoy the atmosphere before it got too busy. Because the tour coupled these two locations, we were able to do a deep dive into their unique history and architectural features. Both areas are incredibly vast, so be prepared for a lot of walking, but the experience is well worth it. Our guide was excellent, keeping the energy high and providing a wealth of information throughout the day. We were also given earpieces, which were a huge help for hearing the guide clearly even in more open spaces. I highly recommend booking this tour, specifically in the morning, for anyone visiting Beijing!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful and detailed review! 💛
We are absolutely thrilled that your combined tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City turned out to be such a fantastic experience. It’s wonderful to hear you found the morning tour perfect for avoiding large crowds and enjoying a more peaceful atmosphere to soak in the history and grand scale of these iconic sites.
We really appreciate you mentioning how seamlessly the two locations complemented each other, allowing you to dive deep into their unique stories and architectural charm. We totally agree with your friendly reminder about plenty of walking—it’s all part of exploring these vast historic landmarks, and we’re glad you felt every moment was absolutely worthwhile.
It makes us very happy that your guide kept the mood energetic and shared so much insightful information throughout the tour. We’re also delighted the earpiece service worked perfectly, letting you hear every explanation clearly even in open, crowded areas.
Your sincere recommendation for the morning tour means the world to our whole team. Thank you again for your lovely feedback, and we hope we have the pleasure of welcoming you back to discover more amazing sights in Beijing someday!
Asif_S, Apr 2026
Took too long to get guests assigned to different groups.
Lot of time wasted waiting for guide to purchase tickets.
Barely spent any time in Tiananmen Square.
Forbidden City was too rushed, maybe because of all the time wasted earlier.
Didn't really benefit much from the tour guides.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your honest feedback, and we truly apologize for any waiting and rushed schedule during your tour.
During peak travel seasons, queuing is almost unavoidable given China’s large population. Tickets for the Forbidden City need to be booked at least seven days in advance; without advance reservations, we have to handle supplementary ticket arrangements on-site, which may cause waiting time. Our guides also work very hard to coordinate groups, arrange tickets and arrange the whole itinerary under tight schedules.
We will further optimize our grouping and ticket arrangement process to reduce waiting as much as possible, and adjust the tour pace properly to ensure you have enough time to visit and listen to explanations. We really appreciate your understanding and valuable comments, and we will keep improving our service to bring you a much better experience next time.
Stella_Q, Apr 2026
My 10 yo daughter and I really enjoyed our trip to the Forbidden City today. The tour was very well organised by Viator as always.
We’d like to give a special shout out to our guide Cici and her colleague. Cici was full of knowledge of the Palace - her communication was both informative and fun. It was evident that she’s deeply passionate about the place, while tentatively creating a wonderful and smooth experience for the group. You made our day - thank you! My daughter has become a fan :)
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your heartwarming review! 💖
It makes us incredibly happy to hear you and your 10-year-old daughter had such a wonderful time visiting the Forbidden City. We truly appreciate your kind words about our well-organized tour.
A special thank you for your lovely compliment to guide Cici and her colleague. We’re delighted that Cici shared her profound knowledge in such an informative and fun way, and that her passion for the Forbidden City brought your group a smooth and unforgettable experience. It’s such a joy to know your daughter has become a big fan of hers!
We will definitely pass all your warm thanks and praise to Cici. Hope you and your little one can explore more beautiful scenery in Beijing with us again soon!
BRITTANY_D, Apr 2026
It was interesting and informative! We enjoyed our tour and our guide Andy was a lot of fun. He knew the right information and made the day a success
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your lovely review! 😊
We’re thrilled to hear your tour was both interesting and informative. It’s wonderful that guide Andy brought so much fun to your day, with professional and spot-on knowledge that made your visit a complete success.
We’ll be sure to pass all your kind compliments to Andy. Thank you for your support, and we hope to welcome you back for another great tour soon!
Edwina_S, Apr 2026
Very crowded. Guide often walked ahead without checking to see where the group was. Information given was scattered and incoherent. Little context given about the palace or the history
Christopher_M, Apr 2026
Linda is amazing !! Very knowledgeable and I learned a lot about the dragon lady, Cixi. I highly recommend this tour. Make sure you eat beforehand since it’s a lot of walking, but must do if visiting Beijing!
Carolyn_L, Apr 2026
Vanessa was an amazing guide - she really put her soul into the tour and she had a lovely and friendly personality, always offering to take photos for the tour group. Thank you for looking after us and your knowledge of Chinese history was impressive!! Thank you Vanessa - you deserve a pay rise 🫶
Suresh_K, Apr 2026
Amy was amazing... knowledgeable and helpful. She ensured the entire group was on speed and was having fun
Stephanie_H, Apr 2026
Our tour guide was very friendly and the tour was very organised! She knew so much information and made the entrance very easy, we just followed along. I will suggest this to all my friends!
Marine_D, Mar 2026
Melinda, our tour guide, was a wonderful tour guide. The tour was informative, efficient and overall a great experience. I would highly recommend it
Dorothy_C, Mar 2026
Signed up with our family of 9 including kids. Michael was fantastic- very engaging and personable. Highly recommend signing up with Michael.
Jorge_D, Mar 2026
I had an excellent experience on the Forbidden City walking tour. From start to finish, everything was well organized and thoughtfully paced. The guide was knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about the history and cultural significance of the site. They didn’t just share facts—they brought the stories of the emperors, court life, and architecture to life in a way that made the experience feel immersive and memorable.
The route through the Forbidden City was well planned, covering all the key highlights while also pointing out smaller details that I would have easily missed on my own. I appreciated how the guide balanced historical depth with accessibility, making it easy to follow even without prior knowledge.
What stood out most was the attention to detail and the ability to manage the flow through such a busy landmark. Despite the crowds, the tour never felt rushed, and there was always time for questions and photos.
Overall, this tour added real value to my visit. I left with a much deeper understanding of the Forbidden City and its importance in Chinese history. I would strongly recommend it to anyone visiting Beijing.
taimaz_s, Mar 2026
I strongly believe it is necessary to have tour guide for visiting the Forbidden City. So satisfying.
mark_d, Mar 2026
Wear comfortable shoes, lots of walking.
Vanessa was knowledgeable, professional and her English was excellent. She kept track of her group and kept us all moving.
Antonio_F, Mar 2026
The tour guide was amazing really focused in what really matters and very friendly. Totally recomend. If you want a quick 3/4 hours tour around both t. Square and forbidden city this probably the best bang for the buck.
Kurtis_M, Mar 2026
Ask for Julia. Her English is fantastic, her knowledge of the forbidden a city is encyclopedic, and she is a very sweet and kind woman. Highly recommended.
Neil_B, Mar 2026
It was a very informative and detailed tour by Icy. The tour was well paced with some short breaks in the middle.
Rashad_p, Mar 2026
This was a very historically informative and thorough experience. Vanessa ran the group through centuries of architectural, empirical, and nature-related knowledge in a digestible format while also providing the group with adequate sporadic breaks. This experience is a great introduction for understanding how China got to where it is today.
Jonna_J, Mar 2026
I came solo but had a lovely guided tour in a smaller group with the guide Ping. The Forbidden City was very interested and Ping told us the full story in such an exciting and knowledgeable way. Ping is local so she really knew everything and was happy and smiling all hours. Thank you, Ping!
Sean_K, Mar 2026
Great tour with Vanessa, she was very knowledgeable and very accommodating to our needs and desires. She knew a lot of stuff
From $16.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Forbidden City&T-Square Small GroupTours w/ ticket(Eng/Esp Guide)
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