Palace Museum (Forbidden City)
Quick answer
Palace Museum (Forbidden City) in Beijing, China — the Forbidden City was the seat of Chinese emperors from 1420 to 1912. Open Tuesday to Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM; closed Mondays. Admission: 60 CNY standard admission. Allow 4–5 hours and book a timed ticket ahead.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Palace Museum (Forbidden City) at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Mondays |
| Admission | 60 CNY standard admission |
| Booking | Book a timed ticket in advance — peak slots sell out |
| Time needed | 4–5 hours |
| Best time to visit | 8:30 AM at opening — enter via Meridian Gate immediately. |
| Getting there | Metro: Line 1 to Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West — walk to Meridian Gate (south entrance) |
| Address | 4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng, Beijing, China |
| Official website | en.dpm.org.cn |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Palace Museum (Forbidden City) known for?
The Forbidden City was the seat of Chinese emperors from 1420 to 1912. After the abdication of the last Qing emperor Puyi, the Palace Museum was inaugurated in 1925, opening the imperial complex and its treasures to the public.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe Dian) — the largest building in the Forbidden City — was where emperors held coronations and state ceremonies. The Treasure Gallery in the Palace of Tranquil Longevity holds gold, jade, and imperial ornaments.
The complex contains 980 surviving buildings across 72 hectares — the world's largest preserved wooden palace complex. Collections of 1.86 million objects include ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, bronzes, and clocks.
Advance online reservation with passport is mandatory. The basic ticket covers the main palace; Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery require supplementary tickets.
Best for: History Enthusiasts · First-timers · Architecture enthusiasts
How long do you need at Palace Museum (Forbidden City)?
Allow 4–5 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Palace Museum (Forbidden City) without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Hall of Supreme Harmony
📍 Outer Court, central axis
The largest hall in the Forbidden City — three tiers of marble terraces, dragon throne, and yellow glazed tiles.
- 2
Treasure Gallery
📍 Palace of Tranquil Longevity (Ningshou Gong)
Gold, jade, pearl, and gemstone objects from the Qing imperial collection — crowns, seals, and ritual vessels in dedicated gallery requiring supplementary ticket.
- 3
Clock Gallery
📍 Hall of Ancestor Worship (Fengxian Dian)
Ornate mechanical clocks from Europe and China — gifts to Qing emperors from missionaries and diplomats, many still functioning.
- 4
Imperial Garden
📍 North end of complex
The Yuhuayuan — ancient cypresses, rockeries, and pavilions where the imperial family relaxed.
What are the must-see works at Palace Museum (Forbidden City)?
4 highlights that define the collection: Hall of Supreme Harmony, Treasure Gallery, Clock Gallery and more.
Hall of Supreme Harmony
Ming-Qing imperial architecture · 1420
📍 Outer Court, central axis
The largest hall in the Forbidden City — three tiers of marble terraces, dragon throne, and yellow glazed tiles. Where emperors held coronations and received New Year greetings.
Treasure Gallery
Qing imperial collection
📍 Palace of Tranquil Longevity (Ningshou Gong)
Gold, jade, pearl, and gemstone objects from the Qing imperial collection — crowns, seals, and ritual vessels in dedicated gallery requiring supplementary ticket.
Clock Gallery
Qing court · 18th–19th century
📍 Hall of Ancestor Worship (Fengxian Dian)
Ornate mechanical clocks from Europe and China — gifts to Qing emperors from missionaries and diplomats, many still functioning.
Imperial Garden
Ming-Qing landscape · 15th century onward
📍 North end of complex
The Yuhuayuan — ancient cypresses, rockeries, and pavilions where the imperial family relaxed. The northern exit toward Jingshan Hill.
Collections and highlights
- • Hall of Supreme Harmony — coronation hall
- • Treasure Gallery — imperial gold and jade
- • Clock Gallery — mechanical clocks
- • Imperial Garden — Yuhuayuan
- • Ceramics — Song, Ming, Qing dynasties
- • Painting and calligraphy collections
- • 980 surviving buildings on central axis
Tips for visiting Palace Museum (Forbidden City)
- 1.
Best time to visit
8:30 AM at opening — enter via Meridian Gate immediately. Avoid Chinese public holidays when sold out weeks ahead.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Among the world's most visited museums — 19 million visitors annually. Central axis extremely crowded by 10 AM.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
60 CNY standard; book timed reservation at dpm.org.cn with passport 7–10 days ahead. Treasure and Clock galleries extra.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Limited inside — bring water and snacks. Restaurants outside Gate of Divine Prowess toward Jingshan.
- 5.
Accessibility
Long walking distances — the complex is 1 km north to south. Wheelchair routes limited on marble terraces.
How do you get to Palace Museum (Forbidden City)?
- metro Line 1 to Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West — walk to Meridian Gate (south entrance)
- metro Exit Forbidden City north at Gate of Divine Prowess — Line 8 Jingshan East Street for Jingshan Hill views
- taxi Meridian Gate (Wumen) is the only visitor entrance — taxis cannot enter; drop at Tiananmen Square side
Address: 4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng, Beijing, China
Palace Museum (Forbidden City): frequently asked questions
Do I need ID to enter?
Yes — visitors must reserve in advance and present passport or ID at entry.
Is one ticket enough?
The basic ticket covers the main palace; the Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery are extra.
How long should I spend at Palace Museum (Forbidden City)?
Plan 4–5 hours for the highlights of Palace Museum (Forbidden City). Our 4-stop route — Hall of Supreme Harmony, Treasure Gallery, Clock Gallery and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Palace Museum (Forbidden City) best known for?
The Forbidden City was the seat of Chinese emperors from 1420 to 1912. After the abdication of the last Qing emperor, the Palace Museum was inaugurated in 1925, opening the imperial complex and treasures to the public. Key highlights include Hall of Supreme Harmony, Treasure Gallery in the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, Imperial Garden.
How do I get tickets for Palace Museum (Forbidden City)?
Admission: 60 CNY standard admission. Book a timed-entry ticket on the official website before you go — popular slots sell out in peak season. Official site: https://en.dpm.org.cn/
Do I need passport to book tickets?
Yes — advance online reservation requires passport or ID number. Present the same document at Meridian Gate entry. Book 7–10 days ahead in peak season.
Which entrance should I use?
Meridian Gate (Wumen) on the south is the only visitor entrance. Exit north through the Gate of Divine Prowess toward Jingshan Park for the classic rooftop view back over the golden roofs.
Is Palace Museum (Forbidden City) open on Mondays?
No — Palace Museum (Forbidden City) is closed every Monday. It is open Tuesday to Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Palace Museum (Forbidden City)'s opening hours?
Palace Museum (Forbidden City) is open Tuesday to Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, and closed Mondays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Palace Museum (Forbidden City) free to visit?
No — standard admission is 60 CNY standard admission.
