How to Book Forbidden City Tickets

I showed up at the Forbidden City gate at 9 AM on a Tuesday. No ticket. Figured I'd buy one there.

The guard pointed at a sign. "预约" — reservation required.

No walk-up tickets. No exceptions. I watched hundreds of prepared tourists stream through while I stood there like an idiot.

You must book Forbidden City tickets in advance. Here's exactly how.

The Basics

• Official name: Palace Museum (故宫博物院)
• Tickets: Online reservation only, no walk-ups
• Booking window: 7 days in advance
• Sell-out time: Popular dates sell out within hours
• Price: ¥60 (April-October), ¥40 (November-March)
• ID required: Passport number at booking, physical passport at entry

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When Tickets Go On Sale

Tickets release at 8:00 PM Beijing time, 7 days before your visit date.

Example: Want to visit on February 10? Tickets go on sale February 3 at 8 PM.

Peak dates sell out in minutes:

• Chinese holidays (Golden Week, Spring Festival)
• Weekends in summer (July-August)
• Any Saturday or Sunday in good weather

Best availability:

• Weekday mornings (Tuesday-Thursday)
• Winter months (December-February)
• Rainy days

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How to Book: Step by Step

Option 1: Official WeChat Mini-Program (Recommended)

This is what locals use. It's in Chinese, but manageable with translation.

1. Open WeChat
2. Search for 故宫博物院 (Palace Museum)
3. Enter the official mini-program
4. Tap 门票预约 (Ticket Reservation)
5. Select your visit date
6. Choose morning or afternoon entry
7. Enter your passport number and name (exactly as on passport)
8. Pay with WeChat Pay
9. Screenshot your QR code ticket

Option 2: Official Website

The Palace Museum has an English website, but it can be glitchy.

1. Go to en.dpm.org.cn
2. Click Tickets
3. Select your date
4. Enter passport details
5. Pay (international cards sometimes fail)

Tip: If payment fails on the website, use the WeChat mini-program instead.

Option 3: Trip.com (Easier but Slightly Pricier)

Trip.com sells Forbidden City tickets with English interface.

1. Open Trip.com app
2. Search "Forbidden City" or "Palace Museum"
3. Select your date
4. Enter passport details
5. Pay with your card
6. Receive ticket via email

Small markup (~¥10-20) but worth it for the convenience.

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Entry Process

What to Bring

• Physical passport (same one you booked with)
• QR code ticket (screenshot or in app)
• Your patience (there will be crowds)

At the Gate

1. Enter through Meridian Gate (午门) — south entrance
2. Scan your QR code at the machine
3. Show your passport for verification
4. Walk through security
5. You're in

Exit

Exit only through Gate of Divine Prowess (神武门) — north side. You cannot exit through the entrance.

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Timing Your Visit

Opening Hours

• April 1 - October 31: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (last entry 4:00 PM)
• November 1 - March 31: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (last entry 3:30 PM)
• Closed Mondays (except holidays)

Best Strategy

Arrive at 8:00 AM (30 minutes before opening).

Why so early?

• Smaller crowds for the first hour
• Better photos without thousands of tourists
• Beat the tour groups

By 10 AM, it's packed. By noon, it's overwhelming.

How Long to Spend

• Quick visit: 2-3 hours (main axis only)
• Standard visit: 4-5 hours (main areas + some side halls)
• Complete visit: 6-8 hours (everything open)

Most tourists do 3-4 hours.

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Special Exhibitions

Some halls require separate tickets:

• Clock Exhibition Hall (钟表馆): +¥10
• Treasure Gallery (珍宝馆): +¥10

Book these at the same time as your main ticket if available, or buy at the venue.

Worth it? The Clock Exhibition is genuinely impressive. Treasure Gallery is good if you have time.

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Pro Tips

Beat the Crowds

1. Go on a weekday — Tuesday-Thursday are quietest
2. Arrive early — 8:00 AM, before gates open
3. Visit in winter — fewer tourists, cheaper tickets
4. Skip holidays — Golden Week (Oct 1-7) is chaos

Navigation

The Forbidden City is massive. Over 180 acres.

Main path: Meridian Gate → Hall of Supreme Harmony → Hall of Central Harmony → Hall of Preserving Harmony → Imperial Garden → Exit

Skip-the-crowds route: After the main halls, go east or west to the quieter side palaces.

Download the official app for maps and audio guides.

Photography

• Tripods not allowed
• No flash photography indoors
• Best morning light on main halls (they face south)
• Golden hour at the north exit garden

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Common Problems

"Tickets sold out"

This happens, especially for weekends and holidays.

Solutions:

• Check at exactly 8 PM when tickets release
• Try a different date
• Check for cancellations (refresh the page)
• Book through Trip.com (may have inventory when official site doesn't)

Payment fails on official site

International cards often fail.

Solutions:

• Use WeChat Pay in the mini-program
• Book through Trip.com instead
• Try a different card

Lost QR code

Screenshot it when you book. If you lose it:

• Check your WeChat payment history
• Check your email (Trip.com sends confirmation)
• Contact the platform you booked through

Wrong passport number entered

You won't be able to enter if the number doesn't match.

Solution: Cancel and rebook with correct number (if cancellation is allowed), or contact customer service immediately.

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Nearby Attractions

While you're in the area:

• Jingshan Park (景山公园) — hill behind Forbidden City with panoramic views. Best sunset spot.
• Tiananmen Square — south of Forbidden City. Go early morning for flag raising.
• Beihai Park — west of Forbidden City. Nice for a walk.

All walkable from Forbidden City exits.

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Quick Checklist

7 days before:

• [ ] Set alarm for 8 PM Beijing time
• [ ] Have passport details ready
• [ ] Have WeChat Pay or Trip.com ready
• [ ] Book tickets immediately when they release

Day before:

• [ ] Screenshot QR code ticket
• [ ] Confirm passport number matches booking
• [ ] Plan arrival at 8 AM

Day of visit:

• [ ] Bring physical passport
• [ ] Bring QR code (screenshot or app)
• [ ] Wear comfortable shoes (lots of walking)
• [ ] Bring water and snacks

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Need Help Booking?

If you'd rather have someone handle ticket reservations for major attractions, our Guardian package includes booking assistance for $19.

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• 3 Days in Beijing Itinerary
• China Travel Tech Setup
• Great Wall: Which Section to Visit