The Forbidden City: Complete Guide to Beijing's Imperial Palace (2026)

The Forbidden City: Complete Guide to Beijing's Imperial Palace

The Forbidden City (Gu Gong) in the heart of Beijing is the largest imperial palace complex in the world — 72 hectares, 980 surviving buildings and roughly 9,000 rooms, home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the most visited museums on earth, and for most travelers it is the single essential stop in Beijing.

Ticket rules, opening hours and construction notices verified from official sources August 2026.

What to See: The Classic Route

• The central axis — enter through the Meridian Gate (Wumen) and walk the grand central axis: the Outer Court's three great halls (Taihe, Zhonghe, Baohe), where emperors held court
• The Inner Court — the emperor's living quarters: Qianqing Palace, Jiaotai Palace and Kunning Palace, plus the famous royal gardens
• The Hall of Mental Cultivation (Yangxin Dian) — where emperors from Yongzheng onward actually ruled, now with restored interiors
• The side galleries — the East and West Six Palaces, with the clock and treasure galleries holding the imperial collections
• The defensive corners — the four corner towers and the moat, the classic postcard view from the north (Jingshan Park side)

Tickets and Planning: What You Need to Know

• Booking is mandatory — tickets are sold only online in advance (official website or WeChat mini-program); book as early as 7 days before, released at 20:00
• Closed Mondays — except public holidays, the palace is closed every Monday
• Opening hours — 8:30 admission, last entry 16:00, close 17:00; allow at least 3–4 hours for a real visit
• Entry points — enter via the Meridian Gate (south); exits are the north gate and the east gate
• Construction notices — some halls may be temporarily closed for restoration (e.g. Wuying Hall Ceramics Gallery, Kunning Palace, Taihe Gate works); check the official announcements page before your visit

Combine the Forbidden City With

From the north gate, walk across the road to Jingshan Park and climb the hill for the classic view over the palace's golden roofs. The National Museum of China sits on the opposite side of Tiananmen Square — same ticket site, different world. In the evening, Wangfujing and the hutongs of Dongcheng are a short walk away for food and atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to See: The Classic Route

From the north gate, walk across the road to Jingshan Park and climb the hill for the classic view over the palace's golden roofs. The National Museum of China sits on the opposite side of Tiananmen S