Forbidden City (The Palace Museum)

China's imperial palace for nearly 500 years, the Forbidden City (now the Palace Museum) sits at the heart of Beijing with around 980 surviving buildings over 72 hectares. Once closed to commoners, it is now the country's most visited museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing Ming—Qing court life, architecture and collections. Plan 3—4 hours minimum; more if you want to go beyond the central axis into side halls and galleries.

• General admission ticket to the Palace Museum complex within the walls of the Forbidden City, covering the main north—south route from Meridian Gate to the Gate of Divine Prowess and most open halls and courtyards on the day.
• Access to outdoor courtyards, major throne halls (Hall of Supreme Harmony area), the Inner Court (Palace of Heavenly Purity, Palace of Earthly Tranquility, Palace of Tranquil Longevity zone when open) and standard exhibition rooms along the visitor route.
• Optional add-ons, paid separately, to the Treasure Gallery and the Clock and Watch Gallery when they are operating.

• All ages who can handle a lot of walking on stone courtyards and some steps between halls.
• Essential for first-time visitors to Beijing, history and architecture fans, and anyone interested in imperial China.
• Not ideal if you hate crowds or large tour groups: this is one of the busiest attractions in the country, especially in peak season and on Chinese public holidays.

• Enter from Tiananmen Square side and walk through Tiananmen Gate and Duanmen Gate to reach Meridian Gate, the main southern entrance to the Palace Museum.
• Clear security, have your ID checked against your real-name booking and pass through Meridian Gate into the huge front courtyard.
• Walk the central axis north through the main ceremonial halls (Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony, Hall of Preserving Harmony), then into the Inner Court palaces and the Imperial Garden near the north end.
• Detour into side courtyards and themed exhibitions as time allows, or visit the Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery if you buy the extra tickets.
• Exit at the north Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwu Gate) and either walk to Jingshan Park for an overhead view, or loop back towards the subway / next sight.

• Tickets / price: as of 2024—2025, general admission for adults is CNY 60 in peak season (April 1—October 31) and CNY 40 in low season (November 1—March 31). The Treasure Gallery and the Clock and Watch Gallery each cost an additional CNY 10 per person. Discounts apply for eligible students and youth; young children within specified age/height bands are usually free with ID.
• Booking: the Palace Museum no longer sells walk-up same-day tickets at the gate. All visitors, including those eligible for free/discounted entry, must reserve and pay in advance via the official website or WeChat mini-program using real-name (passport/ID) details, with tickets released 7 days ahead and often selling out quickly in peak times.
• Hours & closure: the museum is generally open Tuesday—Sunday and closed on Mondays except for some statutory holidays. Standard opening time is 08:30; last admission in peak season is around 16:00—16:10, and in low season around 15:30, with closing roughly 1 hour after last entry. You must enter within your ticket’s valid time window.
• Security & conduct: airport-style security checks apply at entrances; large bags, tripods, drones and hazardous items are prohibited. Some halls and galleries ban flash or all photography; always follow posted signs and staff instructions.

• Location: No. 4 Jingshan Qianjie, Dongcheng District, Beijing — directly north of Tiananmen Square, between Tiananmen and Jingshan Park.
• Layout: the classic visit follows the central axis from south (Meridian Gate) to north (Gate of Divine Prowess), but there are extensive side routes with quieter courtyards and themed exhibits if you have time.
• Time needed: most independent visitors spend 3—4 hours; guided tours often budget 2—3 hours focused on the highlights. Adding Jingshan Park afterward gives you an overhead view of the entire palace.
• Best timing: arrive for the first entry slot of the morning or later in the afternoon on a weekday to avoid peak crowds; avoid Golden Week and major holidays if you can.
• Practical tips: wear comfortable shoes for long stone courtyards, bring water (there are shops inside but prices are higher), and keep your passport handy — it is your actual “ticket” at the gate and internal checkpoints.

Reserve a dated ticket online (from CNY 40 in low season / 60 in peak), enter via Meridian Gate, walk the central axis through throne halls and inner palaces, detour into side courts and optional Treasure/Clock galleries, then exit by the north gate — it’s the must-see imperial complex in Beijing.