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5A Tourism Area

Designated 2007

Palace Museum

故宫博物院

Beijing, Beijing★ 4.8Designated 2007·39.9163°N, 116.3972°E

Ticket Price

Peak CNY 60/Off-peak CNY 40 (Treasure Gallery CNY 10, Clock Gallery CNY 10 extra)

Duration

4 hours to 1 day

Rating

4.8 / 5.0

Designated

2007

About Palace Museum

The Palace Museum, housed in the Forbidden City, was the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties for nearly 500 years. As the world's largest preserved wooden palace complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it spans 72 hectares with over 9,000 rooms, showcasing imperial architecture, art collections, and centuries of Chinese history.

Highlights

The world's largest ancient palace complex and former Ming-Qing imperial residence (UNESCO); highlights include the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Palace of Heavenly Purity, and the Imperial Garden, housing vast imperial art collections.

Suggested Route

Enter via the Meridian Gate (south), walk north along the central axis through the Three Great Halls and Inner Court, then exit at the Gate of Divine Prowess; allow 3-4 hours. Add the Treasure and Clock Galleries if time permits.

Food & Lodging

Try imperial-cuisine restaurants and snacks around Wangfujing and Qianmen; visitors usually stay in central Beijing hotels near the Forbidden City.

Facilities

Restrooms, audio guides, wheelchair/stroller rental, and a cloakroom are available; grounds are largely flat with ramps, though some halls have steps. Bilingual (Chinese/English) signage.

Travel Tips

Check official website for current information. Respect local customs and regulations. Best visited during mild weather seasons.

How to Buy Tickets

Passport booking guide for Forbidden City · verified 2026-08-16

⏰ When to book

Tickets release 7 days ahead at 20:00 Beijing time. Peak-season and weekend tickets often sell out within minutes — set an alarm.

🛂 Passport requirement

Real-name booking with your passport number required. Bring the SAME passport to the gate — entry is by passport scan.

🎟️ Where to book

OFFICIAL

Official (WeChat mini-program '故宫博物院' / site) ↗ — Best price and first choice. Foreign passports supported.

OTA

Trip.com ↗ — Sometimes sells packaged tickets — check cancellation terms.

💡 Tip: Closed Mondays. Book the moment tickets open; weekends sell out first.

📅 Best Time & Crowds

Best season: Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November)

🏮Golden Week alert: May 1-5 and Oct 1-7 are China's biggest travel peaks — top attractions sell out days ahead. Book tickets the moment they open.

⏰Many museums and palaces close on Mondays (e.g. Forbidden City, National Museum). Plan around it.

Location

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Buying tickets as a foreign visitor

• Most 5A/4A sites require real-name registration — bring your passport.

• Tickets often must be booked in advance online — peak season & holidays sell out quickly.

• Some remote or border-area sites have entry restrictions for foreign visitors — check before you travel.

External booking links. Prices may vary.

Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to platforms travelers actually use.

Opening Hours

Peak season (Apr 1-Oct 31): 8:30-17:00 (last entry 16:00); Off-season (Nov 1-Mar 31): 8:30-16:30 (last entry 15:30). Closed on Mondays (except national holidays).

Getting There

Metro Line 1 to Tian'anmen East Station (Exit A) or Tian'anmen West; ~3 km from Beijing North HSR station; ~30 km from Beijing Capital Int'l Airport.

Reservation

Advance online reservation required via official WeChat mini-program 'Palace Museum' / ticket.dpm.org.cn; no on-site ticket sales.

Ticket Price

Peak CNY 60 (≈ $8.3)/Off-peak CNY 40 (≈ $5.6) (Treasure Gallery CNY 10 (≈ $1.4), Clock Gallery CNY 10 (≈ $1.4) extra)

Address

Beijing City Dongcheng District Jingshanqian Street No. 4

📍 中文地址 / Chinese Address

故宫博物院

北京市东城区景山前街4号

Beijing City Dongcheng District Jingshanqian Street No. 4