Book your Forbidden City visit in advance. The Palace Museum’s international visitor page says tickets are not sold on the day, so arrange your reservation before heading there and bring the identity document used to book.
From living in Beijing
I’ve visited the Forbidden City twice, both times in autumn. A few things I’d tell a friend:
- Give it most of a day. Each of my visits took four to five hours, and I was tired by the end. Keep the rest of that day light.
- The part that stayed with me was the palace where Empress Dowager Cixi lived. Seeing everyday living quarters, not just throne halls, made the place feel lived in.
- Expect checks and queues. Without a reservation you won’t get in, and the checks are strict. Queues are normal, especially at weekends and on public holidays. Visitors from abroad often comment on how many security checks there are around central Beijing, so build in time for them.
- Climb Jingshan Park afterwards. It’s across the road from the north exit. I still go up for a look back over the palace roofs. You’re already there.
- Skip the snack stalls by the exits. In my experience they’re poor value and not especially good. The well-known old restaurants nearby are better, but their dishes are sized for sharing rather than for one person.
How to book tickets
Use the Palace Museum’s official international booking website, linked from its visitor information page. The booking notice says tickets are released seven days before the visit at 20:00 Beijing time (UTC+8).
- Sign in with your email address and the verification code sent to it. Have each visitor’s passport details ready.
- Select the date and available entry session, then enter each visitor’s details exactly as requested.
- Choose any extra galleries or exhibitions you want. Review the date, names, ticket types and total before completing the order.
- Check that the booking is confirmed, save the confirmation offline and bring the original passport used to book. Starting an order is not a confirmed reservation.
Which ticket do you need?
The museum’s visitor page lists these full-price adult tickets:
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Main admission, April–October | CNY 60 |
| Main admission, November–March | CNY 40 |
| Treasure Gallery, in addition to admission | CNY 10 |
| Gallery of Clocks, in addition to admission | CNY 10 |
For the main palace courtyards, start with the admission ticket. Add a gallery if its collections interest you and you have time for it; you don’t need both extras for a first visit. Some temporary exhibitions need a separate reservation.
If your date is sold out, try another date before arranging a guide or transfer. A third-party service is not a substitute for a confirmed museum reservation.
Save the Chinese name 故宫博物院 along with your confirmation.
Opening hours
The museum’s official visitor pages list these regular hours:
| Season | Opens | Last entry | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| April–October | 08:30 | 16:00 | 17:00 |
| November–March | 08:30 | 15:30 | 16:30 |
The museum is normally closed on Mondays, with holiday exceptions. Check its latest notices for temporary closures and changes to gallery access.
Which entrance should you use?
Enter through Meridian Gate, or Wumen (午门), on the south side. The museum lists Shenwumen to the north and Donghuamen to the east as exits. Bring the original accepted document used for your reservation.
Tiananmen Square has its own access and reservation arrangements. If you plan to visit both, check the requirements for each separately.
Planning a route through the museum
The museum’s website has suggested visitor routes. Choose one that suits your interests and how long you want to spend walking. You don’t need to see every courtyard and gallery in one visit.
Allow time for checks before entry and plan the journey from your exit afterwards. You’ll finish in a different place from where you entered, so save your return route and hotel address.
Should you book a guided tour?
A guide can help explain what you’re seeing, but check whether the service includes museum admission. Ask who arranges the reservation, what language the tour uses and where you meet. Paying for a guide does not by itself confirm an entry ticket.
For another historic site in Beijing, see my Temple of Heaven guide.
Photos from the 2020 exhibition
These photographs show the Palace Museum’s 2020 anniversary exhibition.
See photos from the 2020 exhibition
Sources and updates
Sources checked on 30 Oct 2026.
- Palace Museum: international visitor information and booking link
- Palace Museum: official Chinese visitor guide
- Palace Museum: official international booking system and ticket purchase notice
Check the latest official information for your travel date before making a booking.
Spotted a mistake? Let me know.