It’s summer vacation now, and the Forbidden City is becoming increasingly crowded. However, if you think outside the box and go against the typical flow of visitors, you can enjoy the Clock Exhibition Hall, Treasure Gallery, and Nine-Dragon Wall all to yourself, quietly admire the three main halls, and stroll through the Forbidden City without waiting in lines.
Overall Route: Donghuamen Gate – Meridian Gate – Clock Exhibition Hall – Nine-Dragon Wall – Treasure Gallery – Ningshou Palace – East Six Palaces – West Six Palaces – Cining Palace – Shoukang Palace – Wuying Hall – Taihe Gate – Wenhua Hall – Central Axis – Imperial Garden – Shenwu Gate – Corner Tower – Jingshan Park
Detailed Instructions:
How to Enter the Forbidden City Quickly: There is only one entrance to the Forbidden City, the Meridian Gate. To reach the Meridian Gate, choose the route from Donghuamen Gate to avoid the security checks and crowds at Tiananmen.
- Subway: Take Line 8 to Jinyu Hutong Station, Exit C, and walk along Donghuamen Street to Donghuamen Gate.
- Taxi: Get off near the intersection of Donghuamen Street and Beichizi Street.
Arrive at Donghuamen Gate by 8:00 AM, and walk along the city wall and river on the left side for about five minutes to reach the Meridian Gate. The Forbidden City opens at 8:30 AM, and this route ensures a smooth entry.
Detaild Route:
After entering, don’t linger. Exit through the gate on the right, pass through Wenhua Hall, and head straight to the Clock Exhibition Hall. After visiting the Clock Exhibition Hall, proceed to the Nine-Dragon Wall and the Treasure Gallery. This way, you can enjoy these classic attractions without crowds or long waits.
Afterward, you can leisurely explore the palaces. Start with Ningshou Palace, where the famous Pearl Concubine’s Well is located at the far end. Next, visit the East Six Palaces, where Yanxi Palace is situated. Cross the central axis to reach the West Six Palaces, home to the Chuxiu Palace. The Yangxin Hall is currently closed, so head directly to the Cining Palace, Shoukang Palace, and Wuying Hall for your visits. Then, return to the area around the Meridian Gate to visit Wenhua Hall.
Finally, the highlight of the visit is the three main halls along the central axis: the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony. By this time, it should be afternoon, and the large crowds will likely be in the rear areas of the Forbidden City, allowing you to appreciate and photograph these halls at a leisurely pace. If the weather is nice, the setting sun shining on the halls is simply stunning.
Once you’ve finished exploring the central axis, you will arrive at the Imperial Garden. Despite its name, it is not very large and can be quickly toured. Exit the Forbidden City through Shenwu Gate, which bears the plaque “The Palace Museum.” Be sure to take a photo here for a memento.
Corner Tower and Jingshan Park:
After exiting, turn left and walk along the river to see the Corner Tower. If there is a sunset, it’s a beautiful sight.
If you still have energy, head to Jingshan Park. For a small fee of 2 RMB, you can climb to the highest point to enjoy a panoramic view of the Forbidden City at sunset. It’s an experience worth every penny.
This route allows you to thoroughly explore the Forbidden City from its opening in the morning until its closing in the afternoon. Since visiting Beijing and securing tickets to the Forbidden City is not an everyday opportunity, it’s worth taking your time to enjoy every moment.