Forbidden City

Explore the Forbidden City at your own pace inside the world's largest ancient wooden palace complex, with time to linger in its imperial spaces.

On your selected date, enter via Meridian Gate by showing your passport, then follow the south to north route through this vast site.

Your ticket covers all main halls plus the Treasure Gallery in the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, six air-conditioned rooms with 400 treasures.

Admire jade carvings, enamelware, gold vessels, gem-studded phoenix crowns, and embroidered robes that once belonged to Qing imperial courts.

Upgrade your ticket with Clock Gallery access to see 82 Qing-era timepieces, from Chinese astronomical clocks to European imports with automata.

Or choose a variant that adds access to selected open courtyards, expanding your visit with outdoor palace spaces to wander and take photos.

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.