Forbidden City
Tourist attraction
Discover the grandeur and mystique of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, a mesmerizing imperial palace complex that stands as a testament to the grandeur and opulence of Chinese history. As one of the most well-preserved wooden structures in the world, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers travelers a unique glimpse into the lives of Chinese emperors and the rich cultural heritage of the Ming and Qing dynasties. This architectural marvel, now a museum, offers a captivating journey through centuries of history, culture, and architectural brilliance. Nestled in the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City served as the imperial palace for Chinese emperors from the Ming to the Qing dynasty, witnessing significant historical events and architectural developments in East Asia.
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Forbidden City, Beijing, Beijing (and vicinity), China
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The best of Forbidden City
Bucket-list experiences
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Beijing Palace Museum Ticket (The Forbidden City)
48-hour confirmation
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₱ 663
₱ 701
Forbidden City Walking Tour & Royal Treasure House
Easy refund
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₱ 2,048
Private Walking Tour of the Forbidden City with Choice of Duration
Private group
Easy refund
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₱ 7,592
Private Day Tour: Tiananmen, Forbidden City & Mutianyu Great Wall
Private group
Easy refund
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₱ 17,807
₱ 20,469
Beijing Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City and Olympic Park Day Tour
Private group
Easy refund
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₱ 4,412
Private Tour to Temple of Heaven, Tian'anmen Square & Forbidden City
Private group
Easy refund
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₱ 9,868
₱ 11,340
Explore Beijing’s scenic spots on a chartered one-day tour (Tiananmen, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace - tickets not included)
Private group
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₱ 4,885
₱ 5,909
Beijing Qing Palace Princesses Ancient Hanfu Tourist Photography Experience (Beihai Park/Temple of Heaven/Forbidden City Outskirts/Summer Palace)
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₱ 2,231
₱ 2,356
Beijing Private Layover Tour with Choice of Duration
Private group
Easy refund
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₱ 11,326
₱ 13,008
Make it a getaway
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East Sacred Hotel ( the Forbidden City San Li Tun）
Instant confirmation
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₱ 5,231.9
Beijing Le Zai Nan Luo Gu Xiang Wang Fu Jing Forbidden City Courtyard Hotel
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₱ 6,466.7
[Near the Palace Museum] Beijing Tiananmen Yifei Hotel Accommodation Package
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₱ 12,732
₱ 15,884
Beijing New World Hotel Accommodation Package
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₱ 10,277
₱ 14,962
Sunworld Dynasty Hotel Beijing Wangfujing
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₱ 6,442.7
Guo Ji Yi Yuan Hotel
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₱ 4,646.6
base-Wangfujing Serviced Apartment
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₱ 5,230.8
Hilton Beijing Wangfujing
Instant confirmation
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₱ 10,135.5
Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing
Instant confirmation
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₱ 4,006.6
AC Embassy Hotel
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₱ 4,127
SSAW Garden Hotel Beijing
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₱ 4,625
₱ 7,784
BeiJing Qianyuan Hotel
Instant confirmation
From
₱ 5,490.6
Trouble-free transport
Forbidden City Private Transfer
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₱ 1,641
₱ 2,364
Point-to-point transfer in Beijing city
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₱ 1,641
₱ 2,364
One-day Charter to the Forbidden City, Shichahai, Tiananmen Square and Prince Gong's Mansion
Easy refund
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₱ 4,804
₱ 5,515
Beijing Downtown Private Car Charter
Customized itinerary
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₱ 4,885
₱ 5,515
Temple of Heaven & Grand View Garden & Dashilan Tour
Easy refund
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₱ 4,804
₱ 5,515
Private Beijing Railway Station Transfer (Station/Hotel Pick Up)
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₱ 1,497
₱ 1,812
【China Railway】High-speed rail ticket from Beijing to Tianjin/Datong
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₱ 469
Private Charter from Beijing to Jinshanling the Great Wall or Gubei Water Town
Easy refund
Instant confirmation
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₱ 9,455
₱ 10,558
Summer Palace & Old Summer Palace & Water Cube Chartered Tour
Easy refund
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₱ 4,804
₱ 5,515
Olympic Park & Central Academy of Fine Arts and Museum Chartered Tour
Easy refund
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₱ 4,804
₱ 5,515
Beijing Zoo & Capital Museum Chartered Tour
Easy refund
Book now for tomorrow
₱ 4,804
₱ 5,515
Hong Kong to Beijing High Speed Rail
48-hour confirmation
₱ 9,208
Why people love Forbidden City
Klook User
8 Sep
Great, easy and detailed tour of the palace. Easy to find location using Apple Maps and worth the money, 3hrs long. Highly recommend. Thanks.
1+
Chan ***
7 Sep
The tour guide was very polite and explained in detail and clearly, letting us know a lot about the knowledge and history of the Great Wall. You can also choose when to have lunch. There is no specific time, so you can have more time to see the Great Wall! Overall super good! 10 points recommended! !
I *******
7 Sep
This tour was extremely seamless thanks to the competence of Cindy (guide) and Mr Tian (driver)! Cindy arrived early at our hotel lobby and Mr Tian was already waiting in the extremely comfortable 7-seater car. They even had drinks and candies ready for us.
Mr Tian and Cindy liaise with each very well, so we had very little waiting time before & after every activity. The car is always ready to pick us up to the next venue.
Panda House:
We’re so lucky we managed to catch 3 pandas awake and having their meals in their separate houses! They’re huge.
Summer Palace:
I absolutely love this one, special thanks to Cindy. I was especially intrigued about The Dragon Lady. It made me read up even more after the tour.
Temple of Heaven:
Stunning architecture in blue with so much history behind it. There were beautiful marble carvings. Vast knowledge provided by Cindy once again.
Souvenir:
Cindy & Mr Tian drove us to do our souvenir shopping and patiently waited for us to finish shopping before getting lunch. They are so patient. They catered to my parents’ meal timing of wanting to have a late lunch. I am grateful.
Lunch:
I totally forgot that lunch was provided and paid for. The tour company is so kind to cater to our dietary restriction. Cindy brought us to a Chinese Muslim restaurant and we all had our meals together. She is so sweet to serve food to my parents & I, wanting us to try the different dishes available. Everything was so tasty!
Thank you very much Cindy & Mr Tian for making the day tour a smooth and enjoyable one! Cindy even recommended shows to watch and other places to visit in Beijing for our next trip. All our family photos are taken by her too :-) We are so happy to have Cindy as our guide.
Klook用戶
7 Sep
The tour guide is very kind. From the Forbidden City to Jingshan Park, the explanations are very clear in Chinese and English translation, and he answers all questions. There is also time to take photos at each important palace.
Klook User
7 Sep
I was fortunate to have Linda as my tour guide to the Forbidden City. Her storytelling and insights really brought the history to life, and I appreciated her enthusiasm in telling us the story. Despite the challenges I faced on the day of the tour - including terrible traffic and road closures - Linda was understanding and communicative, helping me navigate via WhatsApp. Her flexibility and patience were much appreciated, especially given that it was my first day in Beijing and I was still getting my bearings. Despite joining the tour alone, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it - Linda's warm and welcoming demeanor made me feel at ease, and I never felt like I was missing out by not having a pal to share the experience with. Overall, I felt grateful to have Linda's tour as an experience of this incredible historical site. Will definitely recommend her to be your tour guide!
Noa **********
6 Sep
We had a wonderful time at the Forbidden City! Our tourguide “Mary” gave interesting information and took everything in consideration!
Maha ***********
5 Sep
The pass is definitely worth it. All the different sites at the park are amazing. Compared to the golden roofs of the forbidden city, I found the blue roofs give the buildings a unique look and feel. The park itself is very relaxing. you can take the time to sit and enjoy the view and weather.
2+
Maha ***********
5 Sep
The experience was amazing. Claire, our tour guide, took the time to explain in detail the different sites and with the historical context as well. she made sure everyone understood. she even gave us tips on the best way to take pictures and helped me take some pictures. The place is obviously a must see and preferably with a tour guide otherwise many details will be missed. Tip: pay attention to the number of mythical animals on the roof of the buildings and gates. Thank you Claire for making this a memorable experience.
2+
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FAQs about Forbidden City
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What to know before visiting Forbidden City
Remarkable Landmarks and Must-Visit Sights
Hall of Supreme Harmony
The largest and most significant hall in the Forbidden City, used for major ceremonial events such as enthronements and imperial weddings. It features an intricate caisson ceiling with a coiled dragon and the Xuanyuan Mirror.
Imperial Garden
A compact yet elaborate garden located at the northern end of the Forbidden City, featuring beautiful landscaping, ancient trees, and traditional Chinese architecture.
Palace of Heavenly Purity
Originally the residence of the emperor, this double-eaved building later became the emperor's audience hall. It is connected to the Gate of Heavenly Purity by a raised walkway.
Culture and History
The Forbidden City served as the home of Chinese emperors and the political center of the Chinese government for over 500 years. It was constructed from 1406 to 1420 and has been a public museum since 1925. The palace complex exemplifies traditional Chinese palatial architecture and has influenced cultural and architectural developments in East Asia.
Local Cuisine
While exploring the Forbidden City, travelers can indulge in Beijing's local cuisine. Must-try dishes include Peking Duck, a crispy and flavorful roasted duck dish, and Jiaozi, traditional Chinese dumplings filled with various ingredients.
Cultural and Historical Significance
The Forbidden City served as the political and ritual center of China for over 500 years. It was home to 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties and remains a vital cultural heritage site.
Architectural Marvel
The layout and design of the Forbidden City reflect Confucian ideals and cosmic order. Its structures were built according to the 'Treatise on Architectural Methods or State Building Standards,' ensuring a hierarchy in design.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Recognized for its cultural and historical importance, the Forbidden City was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.
Public and Private Life
The Forbidden City is divided into the outer court, used for state affairs, and the inner court, which was the domestic space for the imperial family. This division highlights the clear separation between public and private life in imperial China.
Ongoing Preservation
As a modern museum and historical site, the Forbidden City continues to undergo renovations and restorations to preserve its structures and artifacts, offering visitors a well-maintained glimpse into China's imperial past.