Guided Tours

Forbidden City Large-Group Guided Tour

Discover Beijing's Forbidden City on a structured route through grand courtyards and palaces, sharing stories and insights with fellow travelers.

Arrive at the south entrance, meet your guide for ticket collection, then join the group as you set off along the central palace route.

Explore from Meridian Gate through the Halls of Harmony to the Imperial Garden, following Mandarin and English commentary through your earphones.

Walk deep into side palaces like Yanxi, Jingren, Chengqian and Chuxiu, passing the Nine-Dragon Wall and throne halls that framed imperial life.

Upgrade to visit the Treasure gallery, giving you extra time inside inner gallery spaces as your guide highlights selected stops along the route.

Upgrade further to include both Treasure and Clock galleries, with your guide leading walk-through visits inside these additional inner gallery areas.

Entry to the Forbidden City

Guided tour of palace complex

Expert Mandarin and English-speaking guide

Earphones

Meridian Gate, Halls of Harmony and Imperial Garden visit

Entry to Treasure gallery [as per option selected]

Entry to Clock gallery [as per option selected]

Transportation

Personal expenses

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Explore Beijing's Forbidden City in a large-group guided tour with a Mandarin and English-speaking guide, earphones, and gallery options.

Getting started

Meet your guide at the designated meeting location before entering the Forbidden City via Meridian Gate. Present your passport so the guide can obtain your admission ticket and organize the large join-in group of around 30 or more people. Once everyone has their earphones and a brief orientation, you will enter together and begin the south-to-north palace route.

What to expect

Forbidden City

This guided tour follows the required south-to-north visiting route through the Forbidden City palace complex. Over approximately 3 to 3.5 hours, or about 2 to 2.5 hours for the 14:00 session, you move from the central ceremonial axis into key palaces, galleries, and finally the Imperial Garden.

Features

Your large-group guided tour of the palace complex is led by an expert Mandarin and English-speaking guide, who uses included earphones so you can follow the commentary clearly even in busy areas. The group format is join-in, with around 30+ participants sharing the experience.

The visit begins at Meridian Gate and continues through the Gate of Supreme Harmony toward the Halls of Harmony, including Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony, and Hall of Preserving Harmony, where your guide explains their ceremonial roles from designated viewing areas.

Depending on the option selected, your guided route includes a walk-through visit of the Treasure gallery, a walk-through visit of the Clock gallery, or both, with key treasures introduced and interpreted from outside the galleries while you make your way through the interior spaces.

Along the way you pass and hear about sites such as the Nine-dragon wall, Yanxi Palace, Jingren Palace, Chengqian Palace, Hall of Union, Palace of Earthly Tranquility, Palace of Heavenly Purity, Yongshou Palace, Kunyi Palace, and Chuxiu Palace, before concluding in the Imperial Garden.

Entry to the Forbidden City is included with your booking, and your guide manages ticket collection and access at Meridian Gate so you can focus on the visit. Entry to the Treasure gallery and Clock gallery is included as per the tour variant you select in advance.

All variants include a visit to Meridian Gate, the Halls of Harmony, and the Imperial Garden, with your guide adjusting the exact sequence according to on-the-day conditions while keeping to the overall south-to-north route through the complex.

Wrapping up

Your guided tour ends at the north side of the Forbidden City near the Imperial Garden, from where you exit via Shenwu Gate or Donghua Gate and make your own way back. You can choose between three variants when booking: Large-Group Guided Tour with No Inner Halls Access, Large-Group Guided Tour with Treasure and Clock Galleries, or Large-Group Guided Tour with Treasure Gallery Only, which differ in whether Treasure gallery and Clock gallery entry is included.

What to bring

Passport: Bring your passport to the meeting location to obtain your Forbidden City admission ticket from the guide.

Punctuality: Arrive at the meeting location on time since latecomers will not be able to enter the Forbidden City.

Accessibility

Wheelchair and strollers: This activity is suitable for visitors using strollers and wheelchairs.

Additional information

Visiting route: You must visit the Forbidden City from south to north, entering at Meridian Gate and exiting at Shenwu Gate or Donghua Gate.

Entrance and exits: Meridian Gate is the only entrance; Shenwu Gate and Donghua Gate serve as exits.

Return to accommodation: You must find your own way back to your accommodation after exiting at Shenwu Gate or Donghua Gate.

Luggage storage: Free luggage storage is available, and stored bags are transferred between Meridian Gate and Shenwu Gate.

Peak hours: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM is the busiest visiting period, so plan ahead to avoid crowds when possible.

Exhibitions: You should check the current exhibitions on the official Forbidden City website before your visit.

Tour duration: The guided tour lasts about 3–3.5 hours, with the 14:00 session lasting about 2–2.5 hours.

Guide language: Your guide provides commentary in Mandarin and English during the tour.

Group type and size: This is a join-in large-group guided tour, typically with over 30 participants.

Headsets: Earphones are provided so you can clearly hear your guide throughout the tour.

Itinerary flexibility: The visiting sequence and specific route may be adjusted by your guide based on the day’s conditions.

Galleries access: Entry to the Treasure and Clock galleries depends on the option you select when booking.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.