How to visit the Forbidden City booking?

Opening Hours

Tuesday to Sunday, Closed Monday（Except National Traditional Holidays）
Opening time for admission: 8:30.Last admission: 15:30
Morning session: Check tickets by 12:00 (noon). Afternoon session: Ticket checks start at 11:00 am.

Ticketing Information

1. Admission: April 1 – October 31 (peak season), 60 yuan / person
2. Admission: November 1 – March 31 (low season), 40 yuan / person
3. The Treasure Gallery: 10 yuan / person
4. The Gallery of Clocks: 10 yuan / person

How to booking Tickets of the Forbidden City?
Method 1, you can enter the official website of the Forbidden City to book tickets at 8pm 7 days before the day of the tour, click to enter the official website of the Forbidden City.
Method 2: Because there are so many people booking tickets for the Forbidden City, you may not be able to grab the tickets yourself. If you have not booked the tickets, you can contact us seven days before the tour day to book the tickets for you.

Policies on Admission Discounts and Free and Reduced Admission

1. Students between 7 and 18, as well as undergraduate students (not including adult, continuing-education, or graduate students), may purchase student tickets for 20 yuan per person during peak and low seasons with the use of a student ID card or letter of introduction from the school.

2. Visitors aged 60 and older may purchase half-price tickets with the use of their ID cards.

3. Children aged 6 and under may enjoy free admission.

4. People with disabilities or impairments with an ID card indicating disability or impairment may enjoy free admission.

5. On International Women’s Day (March 8), women may purchase half-price tickets.

6. On International Children’s Day (June 1), one accompanying parent of children under 14 years old is eligible for half-price admission.

Policies on Admission Discounts and Free and Reduced Admission to the Gallery of Clocks and the Treasure Gallery

1. Students between 7 and 18, as well as undergraduate students (not including adult, continuing-education, or graduate students), may purchase student tickets for 5 yuan per person during peak and low seasons with the use of a student ID card or letter of introduction from the school.

2. Visitors aged 60 and older may purchase half-price tickets for 5 yuan per person with the use of their ID cards.

3. Children aged 6 and under may enjoy free admission.

4. People with disabilities or impairments with an ID card indicating disability or impairment may enjoy free admission.

5. On International Women’s Day (March 8), women may purchase half-price tickets for 5 yuan per person.

6. On International Children’s Day (June 1), one accompanying parent of children under 14 years old is eligible for half-price admission.

Instructions for visiting the Forbidden City

1. The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays (except for statutory holidays). Please arrange your visit time in advance.

2. The Forbidden City does not sell same-day tickets. All visitors (including those who enjoy preferential access and their companions) must make a real-name reservation.

3. To enter the Palace Museum, visitors must bring the original valid IDs used to book their tickets to the Meridian Gate (Wu men), the south gate of the Palace Museum, for check-in.

4. Tickets (including general admission tickets, and tickets for the Treasure Gallery, the Gallery of Clocks, and exhibitions) can be booked from 20:00, seven days before the visit. Tickets are only valid on the day of the visit. Refunds are not available once tickets have been used.

5. Unused tickets (including general admission tickets, tickets for the Treasure Gallery, the Gallery of Clocks, and exhibitions) can be refunded through the original payment method before 24:00 on the day prior to the visit, without being considered a missed appointment. Tickets can still be refunded before 20:00 on the visit day, but it will be counted as one missed appointment. After 20:00 on the visit day, no refunds or cancellations are allowed, and it will be counted as one missed appointment. 

6. Some exhibitions require reservations. Please check the information on the reservation page. The reservation policy may be temporarily adjusted due to management requirements. Please understand and cooperate with the on-site staff. Reservations can be canceled without being considered a missed appointment if they are canceled through the same method used for booking tickets before 24:00 on the day prior to the visit. If the reservation is not canceled in time, it will be counted as one missed appointment.

7. If you miss three appointments within 180 days, you will be barred from booking tickets and attending exhibitions at the Palace Museum for 60 days, starting from the day after the third missed appointment.

8. Ticket refunds will be sent to your payment account within five working days via the original payment method. Please check your account for the refund. If you do not receive the refund, please contact visitor service.

9. If you need an invoice, please bring the original valid ID used to book to the ticket office at the visitor service center on the west side of Duanmen Square or contact visitor service within one month from the date of appointment.

10. The working hours of the Ticket Office on the west side of Duanmen Square, and the Treasure Gallery and the Gallery of Clocks’ Comprehensive Service Window:

Peak season (April 1 – October 31): 08:30 – 16:00

Low season (November 1 – March 31): 08:30 – 15:30

11. Visitor service number: 400-950-1925

Working hours: 08:00-20:00 (open all year round)