
Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 168 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket worth booking?
Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket is a 2-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $3 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 168 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (168)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $3 per person
We'll book your tickets using your passport details, so please provide your full name and accurate passport number. For entry, just scan your passport - you won't need a paper ticket.
What you get
About this experience
We'll book your tickets using your passport details, so please provide your full name and accurate passport number. For entry, just scan your passport - you won't need a paper ticket.
What's included
Included
- Entry ticket to Forbidden City if you select the option with it.
- Access to Tiananmen Square if you select the option with Tiananmen.
Not included
- NO guide service.
- NO transportation & meeting point.
- No Forbidden City if you select Tiananmen Sq. reservation only.
- No Tiananmen Sq. if you select the Forbidden City only.
What you'll see and do
Meridian Gate (Wu Men)
The Forbidden City, said to consist of over 9,000 rooms, is the largest and best-preserved royal palace throughout the world. Serving as the seat of power in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911), it was dwelled by 24 emperors in its history of over 600 years.
Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Meridian Gate (Wu Men)
The Entrance Gates Of Gugong, Beijing, 100006, China
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meridian Gate (Wu Men) · The Entrance Gates Of Gugong, Beijing, 100006, China
Options you can book
Tiananmen+Forbidden City Entry
No guide, No transfer: Please show your passport at the entrance, no paper ticket is needed. Entrance: The only entrance is the Meridian Gate, or Wumen Gate of the Palace Museum. Forbidden City Entry Time: 08:30 - 12:00; 11:00 - 14:00, can stay until close time. Tiananmen Square checkpoints: The info will be offered once the ticket is issued. The waiting time at Tiananmen Square usually over 1 hour.
Tiananmen Square Entry Only
How to Use: Show passport on at the security checkpoint we reserve for you. Includes: The reservation to T-Square only. Excludes: No Forbidden City. Note: The long queues at T-Square often take over 1 hours.
Entry Ticket +Treasure Gallery
Ticket Only, No Guide: The ticket is linked to your passport, please show your passport at the Meridian Gate (Wumen Gate). Exclude: No access to Tiananmen Square. Entry Time: Morning 8:30 AM-12:00 PM / Afternoon: 11:00 AM-4:00 PM.
Forbidden City Entry Ticket
Ticket only, No guide: Please show your passport at the entrance, no paper ticket is needed. Entry Gate: The Meridian Gate, or Wumen Gate of the Palace Museum(午门). Entry Time: 08:30 - 12:00; 11:00 - 15:30, can stay until close time. Exclude: No access to Tiananmen Square.
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 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Travel China Guide
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The ticket is booked under your passport, all visitors must present a passport for direct entry at the Meridian Gate.
- Please ensure that your name and passport number is accurately provided.
- Visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan must book tickets in advance using their Mainland Travel Permit and ensure the correct ID type is selected.
- Chinese visitors using ID cards may book tickets independently via the official mini-program.
- Tickets are only valid for the selected date. Entry is strictly limited to the reserved time slot.
- This is a pre-booking service. Tickets are released 7 days in advance, and confirmations will be sent upon issuance.
- Entrance: The Meridian Gate; Two Exit: Shenwu Gate (near Jingshan Park)/ Donghua Gate (near Wangfujing Street).
- All 3 options are "Ticket Only" service, please arrange your self-guided visits.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 166 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
166 verified traveler reviews for Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great day at Forbidden city
Great day out - the architecture and history of the place is amazing - our guide Lilly was so knowledgeable went above and beyond to make the visit to the forbidden city so great - kept us informed of important and key areas - truly an experience of a life time
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your lovely review! We are glad you had a fantastic day exploring Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. It’s wonderful to hear your guide Lilly shared rich historical knowledge and made your visit unforgettable. Hope you enjoyed this once-in-a-lifetime experience and we look forward to assisting you with your future travel plans!
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful visity to the Forbidden City / Tiananmen Square
Booking the ticket to the Tiananmen Square / Forbidden City was very easy. The access to the site is crowded but we were given the right directions to the entrance so that we could make the most of our time.
Response from the operator: Dear D8316JVjoanm, Thank you very much for your lovely feedback! We are glad to hear booking your tickets for Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City was a smooth experience. We are happy that our information helped you find the entrance conveniently and make the most of your visiting time despite the crowds. Wish you a wonderful rest of your trip and hope to assist you again soon! Best regards,
via Tripadvisor
Good activity provider!
Our visit to Tiananmen Square went really smoothly. TravelChinaGuide provided us with a separate confirmation document that was clear and very helpful. I should mention that booking tickets independently via WeChat is actually quite difficult, so paying a small fee to secure the reservation was well worth it.
Response from the operator: Dear Dreamaria0203, Thank you so much for your lovely feedback about your Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City ticket booking service! We are thrilled to hear everything went smoothly during your visit and our separate clear confirmation document brought you great convenience. It’s our pleasure to save you the trouble of complicated self-booking on WeChat. We truly believe the small service fee is worthwhile to guarantee your worry-free entry. Hope you enjoyed your tour of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. We look forward to welcoming you again for your future trips in China! Best Regards
via Tripadvisor
Excellent
The whole process went smoothly. I selected the ticket, I paid for it and then I received it. Also the communication with the agency was very good. I received all the necessary information so that I wouldn't have any problems on the spot
Response from the operator: Hi laurentiapascu, We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us. Glad to know everything worked perfectly when you booked tickets for the Palace Museum. We always aim to keep the booking procedure simple and straightforward, and make sure to send over all practical details in advance to help you have a worry-free onsite visit. Great to know our communication and service met your expectations. Thank you again for your support! May your travels be enjoyable all the way. Best regards,
via Tripadvisor
Bucket list must see
An amazing place to visit. Do bring your passport for entry and note bags are searched and scanned so queues can be long.
Response from the operator: Dear lisstravelsalot, Thank you for your lovely review and useful tips for other visitors! We’re so glad you loved your trip to the Palace Museum. We appreciate you sharing practical reminders about entry documents and security checks. Wish you wonderful travels ahead, and hope to serve you again soon! Best regards,
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $3 to $22
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 59
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Travel China Guide, who run 20 experiences we rank across 5 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.3.
See everything Travel China Guide runsWhy this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. 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 Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket take?
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Plan for about 2 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 Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 168 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Beijing, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. 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 Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket?
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Around 59 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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. 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 Temple Heaven, Lama Temple, Summer Palace & Peking Duck Bus Tour, Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall Sightseeing Full-day Group Tours, Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options. 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.
What is included in Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket?
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Included: Entry ticket to Forbidden City if you select the option with it; and Access to Tiananmen Square if you select the option with Tiananmen. Not included: NO guide service; NO transportation & meeting point; No Forbidden City if you select Tiananmen Sq. reservation only; and No Tiananmen Sq. if you select the Forbidden City only. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket?
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The experience starts at Meridian Gate (Wu Men), The Entrance Gates Of Gugong, Beijing, 100006, China. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; and Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Beijing. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket?
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Across 168 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Forbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket?
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There are 4 options to choose from, including Tiananmen+Forbidden City Entry, Tiananmen Square Entry Only, Entry Ticket +Treasure Gallery, Forbidden City Entry Ticket. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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