
Forbidden City Ticket and Private Tour
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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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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 126 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Forbidden City Ticket and Private Tour worth booking?
Forbidden City Ticket and Private Tour is a 2-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $45 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 126 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 70 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (126)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $45 per person
Secure your spot to journey through the historic corridors of the Forbidden City by booking your tour at least 7 days in advance during peak seasons. Tickets sell out fast, so don't miss out! Even during quieter times, e
What you get
About this experience
Secure your spot to journey through the historic corridors of the Forbidden City by booking your tour at least 7 days in advance during peak seasons. Tickets sell out fast, so don't miss out! Even during quieter times, ensure availability by booking 2 days ahead. Provide accurate passport details for ticket reservation. If book not 7 days before , you must buy tickets when you arrive and wait in line .
What's included
Included
- Private knowledgeable guide
- Forbidden city Admission Ticket
Not included
- Hotel drop off
- Gratuities ( Recommend for excellent service )
- Transport fee
What you'll see and do
Beijing
HOTEL KAPOK which is the best point for meeting your guide . Meet here can avoid the Tiananmen square long line . The hotel name and address in Chinese ( 北京木棉花酒店, 地址:东城区,东华门大街16号), So, you can show the Chinese to taxi driver .
20 minutes here
The Palace Museum
Thereafter, you’ll continue into the Forbidden City shrouded with mysteries. During the walking tour, you may feel confused about the special designs and totems of the palace, especially the cultural meaning behind them. Why there are 9 sculptures of mythical animals on the roof ridge of Hall of Supreme Harmony but not 8 or 10; why there are 9999.5 but not 10000 rooms in the palace; Why the eyes and ears of the stone lions in front of the Palace of Tranquility and Longevity blocked… With the historical knowledge from your guide, you will gradually uncover these cultural secrets and explore a more different Forbidden City you’ve ever heard about.
150 minutes here · Admission included
Meridian Gate (Wu Men)
Inside of Forbidden City
Pass by without stopping
Hall of Great Harmony (Taihe Dian)
Inside of Forbidden City
Pass by without stopping
Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian)
Inside of Forbidden City
Pass by without stopping
The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum
Inside of Forbidden City
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Beijing
The hotel is the best point for meeting your guide . Meet here can avoid the Tiananmen square long line . The hotel name and address in Chinese ( 北京木棉花酒店, 地址:东城区,东华门大街16号), So, you can show the Chinese to taxi driver .
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Ends at
End at exit of Forbidden City
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- cmn, en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Leo's Guide & Driver Service
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
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- All travelers Passport name, number and birthday is required at time of booking for all participants for getting your SKIP THE LINE Forbidden City entrance ticket in advance
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- Please provide the tour operator with your special requests at "special requirement", your tour operator will also contact you just in case
- Please note : The private tour not include hotel drop off ,but your guide can help you get taxi or personal Uber (own expense)
- For last minute booking , if no guide available , we can full refund or change the tour to another day
- If you choose to have Spanish language tour guide service, please ensure to make your booking at least 3 days in advance
- The tour include Forbidden city tickets , but need book the tour at least 2 days in advance
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 126 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Small groups
7 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
126 verified traveler reviews for Forbidden City Ticket and Private Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Tour
We are very glad to have an excellent tour guide, Lilia, from Leo's private group. She arrived at the hotel on time to pick us up. On the way, she shared with us the tourist attractions in Beijing that would suit us. We entered the Forbidden City smoothly. The passport was our ticket. The Forbidden City is very large and magnificent. Lilia told us a lot about the history and cultural background of various aspects. She also took many photos for us. Highly recommended!
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic, informative, highly recommend
We could not recommend our guide Cynthia Zhuang more highly. She was warm, informative and very kind with our 13 and 15 year olds, who at times needed some adjustments in the heat. She walked us to and from our hotel (not far from the Forbidden City) and gave us an impromptu orientation to the neighborhood / hutongs surrounding. Throughout our conversation was flowing and interesting, and she answered all our questions whether related to the Forbidden City or about other aspects of life we were seeing around us (like the many people walking around dressed in Ming and Qing costumes -- for Cosplay fun.)
via Tripadvisor
Sue
Visiting the Forbidden City was an absolute highlight of our trip, made even more special by our wonderful guide Sue from Leo's China Tour! They were extremely friendly, engaging, and full of fascinating stories that brought the ancient history to life. The tour was pleasant, well-organized, and fun from start to finish. Highly recommended!
via Tripadvisor
Forbidden city with Sue
The guide Sue from Leo’ China Tour was fantastic, she did really well showing us the Forbidden palace!
via Tripadvisor
Unforgivable Forbidden City guided tour
We spent a breath-taking day walking around the Forbidden City complex with Sue from Leo’s private tour! Sue ’s expertise and knowledge really enriched our experience and allowed us to fully appreciate the atmosphere and the blend of history, culture, and tradition of this place. Absolute must see in Beijing and Sue absolutely recommend as best guide!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $45 to $203
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 44
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 70
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Forbidden City Ticket and Private Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Forbidden City Ticket and Private Tour cost?
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Prices start at $45 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 and Private Tour 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 Ticket and Private Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 126 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 Ticket and Private Tour?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Forbidden City Ticket and Private Tour 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 Ticket and Private Tour?
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Around 44 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 Ticket and Private Tour 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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