The Forbidden City, a sprawling palace complex in the heart of Beijing, is an extraordinary destination that offers a glimpse into China’s imperial past. To make the most of your visit, preparation and strategy are key. This guide provides essential tips for navigating the Forbidden City, including advice on what to bring, how to avoid long lines, and a detailed tour route to ensure you experience the most important sights efficiently. Whether you’re an avid historian or a curious traveler, following these recommendations will help you appreciate the grandeur and historical significance of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Warm Tips
- Tripod Restrictions: The Forbidden City prohibits the use of free-standing tripods and stabilizers. Make sure to adhere to this rule to avoid any inconvenience.
- Early Arrival: Arriving early is crucial. It’s best to arrive before 7:00 AM to queue up and be among the first to enter, which helps in avoiding the crowds.
- Prepare Supplies: Purchase water and snacks in advance. Food and drinks inside the Forbidden City are significantly overpriced.
Tour Route and Attractions
Entrance and Queueing
The queue for ticket verification is at the Meridian Gate (午门). Historically, Ming Dynasty emperors used this gate for executing errant officials, while Qing emperors issued the annual calendar here. As you pass through the Meridian Gate, note that the three archways appear as five from the inside. The central archway was reserved exclusively for the Emperor, with the Empress permitted entry only during the wedding ceremony. Top scholars, such as the top three in the imperial exams (the top scholar, the second, and the third), could exit through this gate once. The side gates were used by imperial family members and officials.
Main Square and Key Structures
Upon entering, you will find yourself in the Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和门广场). Five golden water bridges span across the front, with the Emperor walking over the central bridge, the imperial family using the adjacent ones, and officials using the outermost bridges.
Continue forward to the Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和门). This grand hall was where emperors held court. The two bronze lions at the entrance are the largest of the six pairs in the Forbidden City and symbolize imperial power. They are great for photos.
From here, proceed through the side gates to the Hall of Supreme Harmony’s square. This hall was used for major ceremonies, such as the Emperor’s enthronement and the Empress’s crowning. During these ceremonies, officials would stand in the square, with civil officials on the east and military officials on the west.
Inner Palaces and Exhibitions
To the west is the Hongyi Pavilion (弘毅阁), which served as the imperial treasury. On the east side is the Ti Ren Pavilion (体仁阁), which functioned as the imperial storehouse. Further on is the Hall of Central Harmony (中和殿), used by the Emperor as a resting place before major ceremonies. The Emperor would rest here before officials arrived. Next is the Hall of Preserving Harmony (保和殿), which, starting from the 54th year of Qianlong’s reign, became the examination hall for the imperial examinations. It is a highly anticipated place for scholars.
In the northeast corner of the Hall of Preserving Harmony is the Chinese Characters Museum (汉字馆), offering four free stamps. It’s also a place where you can purchase the book “The Forbidden City 100” and get it stamped. You can choose to mail it home or carry it with you. Continuing on, you will reach the Qianqing Gate (乾清门). Beyond this gate lies the living quarters of the Emperor’s concubines. The Emperor used to hold morning court here. The East side of the Qianqing Gate houses the Nine Ministers’ Quarters, where high-ranking officials awaited summons. The West side is the Grand Council.
The two lion statues at the entrance of Qianqing Gate have drooping ears, symbolizing a warning to the inner palace not to eavesdrop or spy.
Imperial Bedrooms and Artifacts
After entering, you’ll see the Qianqing Palace (乾清宫), the Emperor’s bedroom, with 27 dragon beds to confuse assassins. The plaque “Zhengda Guangming” (正大光明) in the Hall of Supreme Harmony concealed the secret of the Emperor’s heir selection. The Emperor would write two versions of the decree: one hidden behind the plaque and the other carried personally. Upon the Emperor’s death, these two decrees would be compared. Any discrepancies would indicate tampering. Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony are bronze cranes and turtles, with two exquisite small buildings named “Jiangshan” and “Sheji,” which are the smallest palaces in the Forbidden City.
Proceed to the Hall of Union (交泰殿), which houses the 25 imperial jade seals. The Kunning Palace (坤宁宫) is the Empress’s quarters. Every Empress of the Ming Dynasty resided here. In the northeast corner of the Kunning Palace is a cultural shop with five free stamps – don’t miss it!
Continue past the Imperial Garden and head west to the Chuxiu Palace (储秀宫), where Empress Dowager Cixi lived for over twenty years. It’s also where her son was born. Adjacent is a cultural shop offering three free stamps. Proceed south to the Yikun Palace (翊坤宫) and the Yongshou Palace (永寿宫). Yongshou Palace is unique among the six eastern and western palaces, being the only one called a “palace” rather than a hall.
Further south is the Cining Palace (慈宁宫), where Empress Dowager Cixi and Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang resided. Nearby is the Shoukang Palace (寿康宫), featured in the popular drama “Zhen Huan’s Biography.” After exploring these areas, continue south to the Icehouse Bookstore (冰窖书店), which offers three free stamps and has beautifully designed stamps.
Moving through the Hall of Supreme Harmony’s square, you’ll reach the Wenhua Hall (文华殿), with the Wuying Hall (武英殿) on the west and Wenhua Hall on the east. Continue north to the Arrow Pavilion (箭亭), where Qing emperors and their descendants practiced archery and horseback riding.
Clock Museum and Treasure Galley
Next, visit the Clock Museum (钟表馆) to see antique timepieces. The Treasure Gallery (珍宝馆) is your final destination. The entrance features one of the three existing Nine-Dragon Walls. Note the third white dragon on the left side, which is actually made of wood, painted white to replace a broken tile during construction.
The Treasure Gallery is extensive, filled with fascinating exhibits. It is divided into multiple halls and can be very crowded, especially at the Phoenix Crown display. Originally part of the Ningxiu Palace (宁寿宫), built by Qianlong for his retirement, the gallery showcases Qianlong’s extensive collection. Behind the Ningxiu Palace, you’ll find the Yangxing Gate (养性门), followed by the Yangxing Hall (养性殿) and the Le Shou Hall (乐寿堂), the only royal bedroom open to visitors.
Further exploration leads to the Zhenfei Well (珍妃井), associated with the tragic fate of Consort Zhen. The actual well is in an unvisited area. Finally, you can visit two stamping spots: one at the Corner Tower Café (角楼咖啡) for two free stamps and another at the Forbidden City’s cultural shop before exiting Shenwu Gate.
To see all these attractions, plan for a full day, starting early and following the central axis to avoid crowds. By the time large numbers of visitors arrive, you’ll have already explored the most essential sights with fewer people around.