Beijing: The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 8 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Beijing: The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket worth booking?
Beijing: The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket is a 3-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $3 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 8 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (8)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $3 per person
Buy your ticket in advance to The Forbidden City and Tiananmen square in Beijing and guarantee your admission on your chosen day and time without the risk of the tickets being sold out.
What you get
About this experience
Buy your ticket in advance to The Forbidden City and Tiananmen square in Beijing and guarantee your admission on your chosen day and time without the risk of the tickets being sold out.
What's included
Included
- The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket(if option selected)
- The booking services charge
- The Forbidden City ticket(if option selected)
- The Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket(if option selected)
Not included
- The tour guide and transportation
What you'll see and do
The Palace Museum
The Forbidden City (Gùgōng), located at the centre of Beijing, was the main palace of Imperial China for five centuries, until the early 20th century. It today houses the Palace Museum, one of China's largest national museums, with an extensive collection based on the former imperial collection. This is truly the spot to appreciate the might and grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the height of its power in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Constructed between 1406 and 1420 during the reign of Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Forbidden City was home to 24 emperors and their families and acted as the ceremonial and political center of ancient Chinese government throughout 500 years. After the Last Emperor of China left the palace, it later became a museum open to the public in 1925. Since then, the Forbidden City is no longer ‘forbidden’, and now ordinary people are able to take a virtual trip in time to see the secrets and luxury of imperial life.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Tiananmen Square
Literally and metaphorical at the heart of Beijing, the vast expanse of Tiananmen Square covers over 100 acres making it one of the largest public squares in the world. It was here, in 1949, that Chairman Mao Zedong declared the founding of the People's Republic of China, especially symbolic with the Forbidden City, the symbol of imperial China, close by.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Forbidden City & Tiananmen
About the ticket: Choose this option to book the Forbidden City ticket and Tiananmen square ticket. Pickup included
Forbidden city ticket ONLY
About the ticket: The forbidden city morning ticket enter time is between 8:30am--15:30pm, but you can stay inside until 17:00pm. Pickup included
Forbidden City & Jingshan park
About Jingshan park: The Jingshan park also called the Coal hill, A Bird's Eye View of the Forbidden City. About the ticket: Choose this option to book the Forbidden City ticket and Jingshan park ticket. Pickup included
Square Flag Lowering Ceremony
About the ticket: The Tiananmen square national flag ceremony takes place every evening from 5:23 PM to 7:23 PM. Pickup included
Square Flag-Raising Ceremony
About the ticket: You need to be there early by 5:00-5:30 AM. Many people will go there 1-2 hours in advance to get a good view. Pickup included
Square day time ticket
About the ticket: The Tiananmen Square day time ticket will be available enter between 6:00am to 5:00pm. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- happychinatours
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The tour just provide the entrance ticket only
- Please left your name and passport number when you make a booking and make sure the passport numbers were corrected.
- The travel date can not be changed after the booking due to the online tickets were sold out shortly.
- Contact the provider WhatsApp number much fast than send an email if you have ticket problem
- The tiananmen square will be busy, pls enter before 8:00am or lunch or dinner time
- Please DOUBLE-check the ticket option when booking.
Photos
Traveler reviews
8 verified traveler reviews for Beijing: The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Impressive place very...
Impressive place very beautiful but perhaps not an adequate place for children... Beautiful experience
via Viator (translated)
Lack of guidance
The activity booked was lowering of the flag. Reserved entrance to Tiananmen. But didn't indicate how to take part in/enjoy the activity. Indeed apparently not aware of the situation on-site in this season (August) : initially advised to arrive merely 20mins before it, then, upon my questioning (to get a good seeing spot), 40mins before. I decided to arrive 1.5hr before, and it was still not enough to get through all the ID and security controls: we missed the flag lowering (by 5mins) (even though we had the chance to skip part of the queue because being with a child) Doesn't apparently know what is being sold, I don't recommend.
via Viator
The square
Andy did a great job for us. And was available WhatsApp when needed. Of course Tianemen Square is worth visiting.
via Viator
Easy!
Made the visit easy! Someone messaged me the tickets on WhatsApp the night before. I definitely recommend taking the metro, do not didi to the entrance. Take the metro.
via Viator
Efficient and Worked perfectly
This worked like a charm! I tried to register myself, but the WeChat mini program wouldn’t accept my info. Well worth the small fee to have it done correctly and receive a confirmation in just a few hours.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $3 to $32
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Beijing: The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Beijing: The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket cost?
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Prices start at $3 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Beijing usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Beijing: The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Beijing is not rushed.
Is Beijing: The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 8 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Beijing, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Beijing: The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Beijing: The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Beijing: The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket?
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Around 3 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Beijing can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Beijing and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Beijing: The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Beijing within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Beijing?
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On Outty we rank every Beijing experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options, Beijing: Top 6 Highlights All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour, Private Mutianyu Great Wall Trip With English-Speaking Driver. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Beijing?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Beijing?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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