
Forbidden City Ticket
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 141 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Forbidden City Ticket worth booking?
Forbidden City Ticket is a 3-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $9 per person. It scores 89 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 141 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 89 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (141)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $9 per person
Visit the World UESCO Heritage Forbidden City. While the cost to enter the palace is modest, the lines to buy tickets are often long and mean you need to carry Chinese cash. Pre-book online to gain access by passport and
What you get
About this experience
Visit the World UESCO Heritage Forbidden City. While the cost to enter the palace is modest, the lines to buy tickets are often long and mean you need to carry Chinese cash. Pre-book online to gain access by passport and enjoy the Forbidden City at your own pace—morning or afternoon. 1: Prebook to save time and stress 2: Explore the Forbidden City at your own pace 3: Show the passport and enter Forbidden City 4: Visit at a time that suits you-morning or afternoon
What's included
Included
- IMPORTANT: If you can’t speak English please don’t book it
- International student with Chinese student card. DON"T book it here. NOT accepted
- Entrance Ticket of Forbidden City
- IMPORTANT: Please leave a Valid WhatsApp phone number when you book it
- IMPORTANT: All of your name, overseas passport front page, your WhatsApp phone numbers are required
- IMPORTANT: Please send supplier your passport front page immediately after your booking by WhatsApp
Not included
- NO Tour Guide Service
- NO Transportation
- NO Clock Museum Ticket
- NO Jewelry Museum Ticket
- NO Meridian Gate Ticket
- NO Other tickets
- NOT accessible for Chinese ID and Passport
- NO Audo Guide
- Any other expenses that not listed as included
What you'll see and do
The Palace Museum
Make your own way to Forbidden City (NO transportation). All Participants Overseas Passport front page are required (No accessible for Chinese passport/ID) Please send it as attachment. You will receive the Tickets booking reference during travel day. Your Passport will be your entrance ticket, show the passport at tickets checking entry at Meridian Gate and enter the Forbidden city. If you booked morning ticket. You must enter the Forbidden City before 12:00pm. After 12:00pm your morning tickets will be expired and can not enter Forbidden city anymore. If you booked afternoon tickets. You can't enter Forbidden city in the morning. Please NOTE: You need 15 minutes walking from the East Gate of Forbidden city to the ticket checking entry, the South gate of Forbidden City. 1: Arrive Forbidden City EAST GATE (NOT other gate) 2: Show your passport and enter the Forbidden City at Forbidden City South Gate (Meridian Gate) 3: Exit Forbidden City from North Gate(Gate of Divine and Prowess)
Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
The Palace Museum
No.4 Jingshanqian Street, Beijing, 100009, China
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The Palace Museum · No.4 Jingshanqian Street, Beijing, 100009, China
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Authentic China Tours
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 141 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Organization
4 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
141 verified traveler reviews for Forbidden City Ticket. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Stunning
Amazing trip, stunning views and Li help us for any details, I recommend totally
via Tripadvisor
Flower Li did an excellent job !!
Flower Li did an excellent job in arranging the tickets with clear instructions! Entry was perfectl and smooth experience !
via Tripadvisor
Forbidden city entry
Li was kind and helpful with the booking and kept us informed every step away. Worth every single penny! Li provided detailed instructions on how to enter and use our tickets
via Tripadvisor
The Forbidden City
Visiting the Forbidden City was an unforgettable experience. The sheer scale of the complex is breathtaking, and every courtyard and hall feels full of history. Walking through the palaces, you really get a sense of the power and tradition of ancient China. The architecture is stunning, with beautiful details, vibrant colors, and impressive symmetry. Despite the large number of visitors, the atmosphere remains special and inspiring. I learned a lot about Chinese culture and history, and I would highly recommend the Forbidden City to anyone visiting Beijing. It is truly a must-see landmark.
via Tripadvisor
Forbidden City Visit in Dec 2025.
Miss Li helped to register us for the Forbidden City Tour. She was very fast and gave us very good directions on how to get to the place, where to enter, what transport to take and items to note. Also gave suggestions on what to do after the visit. It helped us to have a smooth and enjoyable visit. Miss Li has been reliable and trustworthy. Thank you.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $9 to $13
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 49
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 89
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Forbidden City Ticket: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Forbidden City Ticket cost?
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Prices start at $9 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 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 Forbidden City Ticket worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 89 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 141 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Beijing, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Forbidden City 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 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 Forbidden City Ticket?
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Around 49 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 Forbidden City 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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