Highlights
- Discover the Forbidden City on a guided tour with a small group
- Learn about the history of the Forbidden City from your guide
- Walk the central axis and see the Hall of Supreme Harmony
- Enjoy a smooth entry with pre-booked tickets and a guide to help you
Description
Your Forbidden City Tour – A Complete 2.5-Hour Journey
Meeting Your Guide
Meet at Donghuamen (East Flow Gate) – exact location after booking. Your guide sends a personal selfie via WhatsApp/email the day before, so you know who to look for. No sign. Walk together to Meridian Gate (Wumen) for ticket-check entry with your pre-booked tickets. Guide assists the whole process.
Walking the Central Axis
Step onto the central axis, reserved for emperors. Visit three halls:
Hall of Supreme Harmony – Grand ceremonies, enthronements, weddings.
Hall of Central Harmony – Emperor's rest and preparation area.
Hall of Preserving Harmony – Imperial banquets and civil service exam finals.
Your guide shares details: mythical rooftop creatures (nine sons of dragon), bronze cauldrons, and the 600-year-old drainage system that still prevents flooding.
European mechanical clocks – 18th-century automata that still play music.
Your guide explains Qing luxury, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange.
Exclusive Stories You Won't Hear Elsewhere
Why no trees in main courtyard? – Prevent assassins, emphasize imperial power.
Gold brick worth a farmer's savings? – 'Gold bricks' (ultra-fine clay) cost a year's rice.
600-year-old drains still work? – Sloping pavement and hidden gutters direct rain to moat.
Bronze turtles and cranes – Filled with incense to create 'fairyland' atmosphere; symbolize longevity.
Finish at Gate of Divine Might – Panoramic View
End at Shenwumen (north exit). Cross street to Jingshan Park (2 RMB, not included). Climb the artificial hill for the famous bird's-eye photo of the Forbidden City. Afternoon tour offers sunset over golden roofs.
Practical Reminders
Comfortable walking shoes (uneven stone paths, ~4 km)
Original passport – mandatory for entry
Arrive 10 minutes early
Guide contacts you before 8:00 PM the day prior
Includes
Forbidden City admission ticket (includes central axis + main halls)
Professional multilingual guide (choose English, Russian, or Spanish)
Small group experience (maximum 30 people per language)
In-ear headsets (so you never miss a word, even in crowded areas)
Excludes
Food and drinks
Transportation to meeting point
Important Information
- Before You Go – Key Info
- Passport required – Original passport for entry. No copies
- Meeting point – Donghuamen (East Flow Gate). Exact location sent after booking
- Morning: 08:30 | Afternoon: 12:30
- Find your guide – They will send a personal selfie before 8:00 PM (day prior) via WhatsApp/email. Look for that person – no sign or flag
- Group size – Max 20 people per language (English/Russian/Spanish)
- Tour details – 3 hours, ~4 km on historic stone paths. Tickets to Forbidden City + Treasure Gallery included
- What to bring – Comfortable shoes, water, charged phone, passport
- Booking rules – Chinese citizens: book 7+ days ahead. Foreign travelers: book any time (subject to availability)
- Late policy – Arrive 10 min early. Latecomers may miss the tour
- End point – Shenwumen (North Gate). Jingshan Park across the street (panoramic view, 2 RMB)
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
