The Forbidden City (Palace Museum) is the Ming and Qing imperial palace in the centre of Beijing, north of Tiananmen Square. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Real-name timed tickets are sold on the Palace Museum's official channels and often sell out, especially for the inner-court halls.
Visitors usually enter from the south (Wumen / Meridian Gate) and walk north through the ceremonial halls.
Some halls and the Treasure Gallery or Clock Gallery can need extra tickets or have tighter caps. Read the official ticket page.
The hill immediately north of the palace is a separate park ticket and the usual rooftop-and-city photograph.
Buy on the Palace Museum official website or its named apps. Bring the same ID you used to book. Closed on Mondays except some holidays.
Hundreds of buildings in a walled rectangle: the largest surviving wooden palace complex of its kind.
Same-day walk-up is not a plan. Book official timed tickets as soon as your date opens.
Tiananmen Square and the palace are adjacent but separately managed. Allow a queue at each.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Capacity is limited and real-name. Use official Palace Museum channels.
Is it closed on Monday?
Usually yes, except some public holidays. Confirm the calendar for your date.
Can foreigners buy tickets?
Yes through the official international/English booking path the museum publishes. Passport details are required. Do not use random resellers.
How long inside?
Two to four hours for a main-axis walk. The full precinct is a full day.
The Forbidden City was built in the early 15th century for the Ming court and housed emperors until 1912. It opened as the Palace Museum in 1925.
Visitor numbers are capped. A ticket is a timed, named reservation, not a souvenir stub you show whenever you like. Read the official entry rules the night before.
