Accessible Guided Tour of the Forbidden City

Beijing’s Forbidden City, a 600-year-old palace complex, is not only a treasure of Chinese culture, it is also dedicated to providing a comfortable and convenient experience for every visitor, including those with mobility impairments. Below is a detailed description of the accessible routes and facilities of the Forbidden City.

Accessibility Services and Policies

• Electric wheelchairs and motorised scooters can enter the Forbidden City, but for security reasons, they need to register their ID number and mobile phone number with their real names.
• Elderly people and people with disabilities can rent wheelchairs free of charge at the Audience Service Centre with a valid ID, and babies under three years old can borrow children’s strollers free of charge
• The deposit for wheelchairs and children’s strollers is 500 RMB, which is returned at the exit of Shenwumen.
• The Forbidden City offers sign language interpretation services, please see the ‘Guides and Interpretation’ section for details.
• Guide dogs are allowed to enter the Forbidden City, but you need to make a reservation one day in advance and communicate with the staff of the Forbidden City.

Accessible Route Planning

The accessible routes of the Forbidden City are mainly set up on the east side of the central axis, covering the main open areas, and are flat and clearly marked.

The route is as follows:

Travelling mode: it is recommended to take a taxi to the East China Gate (East Gate) off, 800 metres to the entrance of the Noon Gate, where there is a barrier-free ramp and priority access.

Entrance to the Meridian Gate (Wu men): Enter from the west side of the Meridian Gate (Wu men) at the ‘Integrated Service Window’, where there is a barrier-free access and a special security check channel.

Tour Route: Donghua Gate → Xihua Gate → Three halls (Hall of Supreme Harmony,Hall of Preserving Harmony,Hall of Central Harmony) → Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunning gong) → East Six Palaces → Clock Museum → Royal Garden → Shenwu Gate.

Tour length: about 3 hours (including breaks).

Barrier-free facilities and services

Transportation Aids

Free Wheelchair Rental: Manual wheelchairs are available for rental at the Wumen and Shenwumen Service Centres (deposit or documents required), and a limited number are recommended to be booked in advance by email (gugong@dpm.org.cn).

Electric scooters: electric scooters can be rented (1 day advance reservation is required), the range covers the whole journey.

Barrier-free toilets: There are 12 barrier-free toilets throughout the park, mainly located on both sides of the central axis and at the entrances to the East and West Six Palaces, equipped with emergency call buttons and handrails. For specific locations, please refer to the floor plan and guide map inside the Forbidden City.

Guided Tour Service

Multi-language guides: support English, Japanese and other 8 languages, equipped with accessible headphone interface.

Sign language guide reservation: Apply by email 3 days in advance to arrange a sign language guide.
Restaurants

The Forbidden City has several restaurants and refreshment sales, but there is only one restaurant that is fully accessible, located near the Armed Forces Hall (Arrow Pavilion). The Ice Cellar and the restaurant near Kun Ning Palace are not accessible.

Practical Tips

• Advance planning: download the official website of the Imperial Palace ‘accessibility map’ (English version), or on-site to get a paper guide map.
• Avoid the peak: it is recommended to visit on weekday mornings. In winter, the road surface may be icy, so pay attention to anti-skid.
• Dining: The Forbidden City restaurant near the Arrow Pavilion is accessible.
• Emergency assistance: Call the Visitor Service Hotline at +86-10-85007057 and staff can provide immediate support.

The Forbidden City Museum blends the historic building with modern concepts of inclusiveness through meticulous accessibility modifications. Whether you use a wheelchair, crutches or other assistive devices, you can feel the depth and warmth of Chinese civilisation here.

Warm reminder

some areas need to be detoured due to cultural relics protection, please pay attention to the official website of the Forbidden City or on-site announcements for the latest information.