Forbidden City Guided Group Tour with Entry Tickets|Multi‑Departs

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Please note that we have two different tour packages available. Please choose according to your needs, and check carefully the different meeting points and times for each option. You must bring your actual valid passport for this tour. Option 1 Tian’anmen Square & Forbidden City Group Tour Start time: 7:30 am & 9:30am & 11:30am Meeting point: In front of Laoshe Teahouse Option 2 2 Hour Forbidden City Group Tour Start time: 8:30AM, 10:30AM, 12:30PM & 2:00 PM Meet at Meridian Gate (the main entrance of the Forbidden City)

   Passes by

2. For Option 1: You will visit Tian'anmen Square first. Tiananmen Square is the geographical center of Beijing City. It is the largest city square in the world, occupying an area of 440,000 square meters. Followed by your expert and professional guide, a very informative introduction of the Tian'anmen square and surrounding buildings will be given to your group, as everyone moves along towards to the Forbidden City. (Note: In peak season security checks at Tiananmen Square are particularly stringent. If the waiting time exceeds 1 hour, we recommend considering a bus ride that passes by the square. Additionally, spending too much time at the square could detract from your experience at the iconic Forbidden City, which is a highlight of our tour. We will only proceed with this alternative if the majority of the group is in agreement. Please keep this in mind as we plan our visit.)

   30 min

3. Once enter the Forbidden City, your guide will find a quite sitting area and introduce you to the palace, making you feel immersed in the history of the Ming and Qing Dynasty. People always say: when visit Forbidden city, 70% is to learn the stories and 30% is to see the palace.During the walking tour, you will stop at different locations to have the "Story time" and gain the insight view to the fascinating culture.This detailed tour to the Forbidden city also including the visit to the important museums to discover the treasures from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

   10 minAdmission included

4. You'll be walking pass the most notable buildings during the tour as well as the west and east chambers. Check the Itinerary for the full list of sights. Stroll around the courtyards and halls of the Forbidden city with your tour guide, and learn the histories and stories about this massive palace. You will visit these buildings inside the Forbidden City.

   20 minAdmission included

5. Including the Hall of Supreme Harmony (for grand imperial ceremonies), the Hall of Central Harmony (for the emperor's pre-ritual rest and preparation) and the Hall of Preserving Harmony (for royal banquets and the imperial examination).

   20 minAdmission included

6. Then continue to explore the imperial living quarters in the palace: the Hall of Heavenly Purity (the emperor’s bedroom and office), the Hall of Union (a symbolic hall for imperial couples), and the Hall of Earthly Tranquillity (the empress’s residence). Our knowledgeable tour guide will share fascinating stories and intriguing historical facts behind these magnificent buildings throughout the tour.

   20 minAdmission included

7. If you choose Option 2, you will only visit the Forbidden City. The tour includes entry ticket and guided service, lasting about 2 hours. Please arrive on time; late arrivals cannot join the tour.

   20 minAdmission included

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 2,180 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Fantastic tour of the Forbidden City

  We enjoyed a fantastic tour of the Forbidden City. Lucia is a great guide who shares the history and anecdotes of the site—and of China—with great passion. She is very skilled at navigating the entry process, allowing you to get in quickly without wasting time!

  33bernardocSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Incredible Tour

  This was an incredible tour and Maria was amazing. She was really informative and had great energy and enthusiasm throughout the day.

  Finlay_MSeptember 2026via Viator

• 5Excellent experience

  Jimmy was excellent. He has great English and gives interesting information regarding the forbidden city and historical facts regarding the emporers and the people that lived in the city.

  815dancSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Great experience!

  Jimmy is a great guide and amazing person!

  konstantinosbsSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Forbiden city

  The guidance was excellent and kept more or less two hours. I found the meeting point easily. Check into the city was fast. Arrangements for the meeting were clear.

  nikosaB9836HKSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 4Pros and Cons

  Pros: -Miko has done a good job guiding the group. Excellent explanation, excellent knowledges. Great humour. -Got our attention on the history all the way. Cons and suggestions: -It was an autumn season, extreme UV and heat despite cooling and I only have sunshades and sunblock on. Perhaps can remind the clients to bring hoodies, umbrellas or hats/caps. -The guiding flag was meant to be seen easily but it was folded and colour faded. We tried looking for it for few minutes anxiously despite reaching early. All in all, we sincerely thanks to Miko for the amazing service. We enjoy so much on the story telling, it was entertaining and great experience.

  lohj2022September 2026via Tripadvisor

Know before you go

How it compares in Beijing

• Its from-price is 87% below the median of the 521 city tours we list in Beijing.
• It is shorter than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 1 of 521.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Beijing

Beijing, China's capital for centuries, holds imperial palaces, sacred temples and stretches of the Great Wall within reach of its modern boulevards.

At the city's heart, the Forbidden City spreads behind vermilion walls, a labyrinth of halls and courtyards that housed the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Tiananmen Square lies to its south, and the hill of Jingshan Park to its north gives the finest view over its golden roofs. The Temple of Heaven, set in a park where locals practise tai chi and dance, is a masterpiece of imperial design.

Top-ranked sights in Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City (Palace Museum), Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang).

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