Museums

Forbidden City Small-Group Guided Tour (Up to 15)

Explore the Forbidden City in a small-group of about 15 guests, with a Mandarin and English-speaking guide bringing palaces and relics alive.

Check in at the meeting point to receive your Forbidden City ticket, then enter via Meridian Gate and follow the south to north visitor route.

Walk past the Gate of Supreme Harmony and into the three Harmony halls, with earphones giving clear live commentary as you move through these spaces.

Continue through Yanxi and Chengqian palaces and the Hall of Union, then visit the Clock and Treasure galleries before ending in the Imperial Garden.

Upgrade your visit by adding access to the inner Treasure Hall, or to both Treasure Hall and Clock Hall, for more time exploring these chambers.

Entry to Forbidden City

Expert Mandarin and English-speaking guide

Earphones

Visits to Meridian Gate and Harmony halls and palaces

Visits to Clock and Treasure galleries and Imperial Garden

Entry to Treasure Hall [as per option selected]

Entry to Clock Hall [as per option selected]

Transportation

Personal expenses

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Explore Beijing's Forbidden City on a 3–3.5 hour small-group guided tour with bilingual commentary and optional Treasure and Clock Hall access.

Getting started

Meet your professional guide at the designated meeting location before entry and present the passport used for your booking. The guide obtains your Forbidden City tickets, distributes earphones, and organizes the small-group of about 15 people. You then enter via Meridian Gate and begin the south-to-north route that structures every visit through the complex.

What to expect

Forbidden City

This guided tour follows an in-depth south-to-north walking route through the Forbidden City, focusing on key ceremonial, residential, and collection spaces over approximately 3–3.5 hours.

Features

Your expert Mandarin and English-speaking guide leads a small-group join-in tour of around 15 guests, using earphones so you can clearly follow commentary without needing to stand close at every stop.

The route begins at Meridian Gate and continues through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony, and Hall of Preserving Harmony, where you focus on the main Harmony halls and palaces that defined imperial ceremony.

Depending on the option selected, you enter the Clock Hall and Clock gallery or walk through the Clock gallery with guided explanations of key treasures from outside, learning how these timepieces fit into palace life.

According to your chosen variant, you access the Treasure Hall and Treasure gallery or follow a walk-through visit of the Treasure gallery with your guide highlighting important pieces from outside the display areas.

Residential and ceremonial areas such as Yanxi Palace, Chengqian Palace, Hall of Union, Palace of Earthly Tranquility, Palace of Heavenly Purity, Yongshou Palace, Kunyi Palace, and Chuxiu Palace are included on the itinerary, with your guide adjusting the sequence on the day as needed.

The tour concludes with a visit to the Imperial Garden, where your guide points out remaining features before you continue north to exit the Forbidden City through Shenwu Gate or Donghua Gate on your own.

Wrapping up

You can choose between three variants: a Guided Tour with Treasure House Access, a Guided Tour with Treasure and Clock Halls, or a Guided Tour, Excluding Inner Hall Access where entry to the inner hall is not included. After the guided portion ends near the northern area, you exit independently from Shenwu Gate or Donghua Gate and can plan the rest of your day from there.

What to bring

ID for entry: Bring the passport or ID used for booking to collect your Forbidden City ticket from the guide.

Ticket handling: Follow your guide's instructions to obtain the admission ticket before entering the Forbidden City.

Accessibility

Mobility access: The venue is suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, and visitors with mobility challenges.

All ages: All age groups can join this experience comfortably.

Additional information

Busiest time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM is the busiest; plan your visit outside these hours for a calmer experience.

Route direction: You must visit from south to north, entering at Meridian Gate and exiting at Shenwu Gate or Donghua Gate.

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

Storage hours: Luggage storage operates from 8:30 to 18:00 daily.

Exit planning: After your visit, you will exit via Shenwu Gate or Donghua Gate, so plan your onward route accordingly.

Tour duration: The guided tour lasts about 3 to 3.5 hours, and the 14:00 session lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours.

Guide language: Your professional guide provides commentary in Mandarin and English.

Route flexibility: The guide may adjust the visiting sequence and specific route based on the situation on the day.

Punctuality: If you arrive late to the meeting location, you may not be able to enter, so arrive on time.

Inner hall access: If you select the Excluding Inner Hall option, entry to the inner hall is not included.

Treasure Hall access: If you select an option with Treasure Hall access, your ticket includes entry to the Treasure Hall.

Clock Hall access: If you select an option with Clock Hall access, your ticket includes entry to the Clock Hall.

Personal expenses: Transportation and any personal expenses are not included in this experience.

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.