A detailed guide to the Forbidden City, taking you through time and space
📍Address: No. 4 Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
🚗Transportation:
- Bus: Take bus No. 1, 2, 52, 82, 120, etc., and get off at "Tiananmen East" or "Tiananmen West" station.
- Subway: Take Line 1 or Batong Line, and get off at "Tiananmen East" station (Exit B) or "Tiananmen West" station (Exit C).
- Taxi: Please note that there are traffic controls around the Forbidden City. If possible, you can take a taxi to Donghuamen, Xihuamen, or Shenwumen, but you need to plan your drop-off location in advance.
👍️Must-see attractions:
- Hall of Supreme Harmony: The first of the three main halls of the Forbidden City, it is also the highest-ranking and largest ancient building in China. It is solemn and majestic, showing the royal style, and you can directly feel the peak of ancient architectural skills.
- Palace of Heavenly Purity: The sleeping palace of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, it is a grand building with luxurious interior decorations. It witnessed countless court stories and is an important window to understand ancient court life.
- Imperial Garden: The "paradise" in the palace, with ancient trees towering in the garden, pavilions and towers scattered in an orderly manner, and different beautiful scenery in all seasons. It is a good place for a leisurely stroll and to experience ancient garden art.
🎟️Tickets:
- Ticketing platform: Purchase tickets through the "Palace Museum" WeChat mini program, and make a reservation 7 days in advance starting at 20:00.
- Ticket price: The ticket price will be adjusted from November 1, 2024, to CNY 60/person in peak season (April 1 - October 31) and CNY 40/person in off-peak season (November 1 - March 31 of the following year).
- Discount policy: There are corresponding free or discount policies for children under 6 years old (inclusive) or under 1.2 meters (inclusive), seniors aged 60 and above, and people with disabilities.
💗Other tips:
- Visiting time: It is recommended to visit on non-holidays and enter the park early in the peak season to avoid the peak of the crowd and enjoy the buildings and cultural relics more comfortably.
- Dress code: The buildings in the Forbidden City are brightly colored, and wearing light-colored or ancient-style clothes will make your photos more beautiful.
- Dining and rest: There are dining places in the Forbidden City, such as the Icehouse Restaurant and Kunning Palace Afternoon Tea, where you can replenish your energy when you are tired.