M
Forbidden City Tour
Jimmy was great! Good explanations, stories, answered all our questions. 谢谢！
Forbidden City Guided Group Tour with Entry Tickets|Multi‑Departs
+4 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2–3 hours
- Price from
- $22 / person
- Location
- Beijing, China
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 2,198 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 100
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Discover Beijing Tours
- Meeting point
- Looking for the panda bear flag7:30AM/9:30AM/11:30AM Tour : Tian'anmen Square and Forbidden City TourReach by taxiLaoshe Teahouse, 请带我去前门老舍茶馆. Reach by subway: line 2 at Qianmen Station, exit C, then walking 300 meters along the Qianmen West Street.
Description
Embark on an unforgettable imperial tour with flexible daily departure times. You can choose to add Tian'anmen Square sightseeing or explore only the Forbidden City upon booking. This 2-3 hour excursion includes all entry tickets, letting you skip ticket procedures and focus purely on sightseeing. Led by seasoned guides with over 15 years of experience, immerse yourself in captivating royal tales and magnificent ancient architectures, and delve deep into the timeless heritage of the Forbidden City. Feel free to wander and explore the palace at your own pace after the guided tour ends.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, and Sun
- Start times
- 8 times a day, 7:30 AM–3:00 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 15
- Adult (ages 11–60)
- $22
- Senior (ages 61–75)
- $22
- Child (ages 4–10)
- $22
- Infant (ages 0–3)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 14.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Beijing
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)
Tiananmen Square
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.)
The Palace Museum
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.
Hall of Great Harmony (Taihe Dian)
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.
Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian)
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).
Palace of Heavenly Purity
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.
The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum
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.
What's included
Included
If you choose 2 Hour Forbidden City Tour, you will only visit Forbidden City
Group tour includes a professional guide
Fobiddden city entrance fee
If you choose the Tian'anmen Square option entry ticket is included
Not included
Hotel pick up and drop-off
Gratuites
Meals
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
2,198 reviews
How it compares in Beijing
- No. 4 by number of reviews among 3,621 tours in Beijing
- Starting price $22 is 58% below the typical $53 for tours of similar length in Beijing
Excurgo comparison of 3,621 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Your passport name and number are required at time of booking (for all participants)
- Please don't forget to bring your passport, you may be refused entry without it.
- 0-3 Years old infant is free, children have to purchase tickets as well
- Tian'anmen Square might close without advance notice due to government activity, if this happens you will skip the Square
- Tour departs punctually. Please arrive 10 minutes early. Once the tour left, you are unable to join the tour, and this tour is not refundable.
- Chinese citizens, including customers from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, need to reserve the tickets for the Palace Museum 7 days in advance. Once the tickets for the Palace Museum are sold out, it will be impossible to participate in this itinerary. In addition, according to the regulations of the Palace Museum, Chinese citizens can only choose to reserve tickets with their ID cards. Therefore, when making a reservation, it is necessary to submit the Chinese name and ID card number, and on the day of the tour, the submitted ID document must be presented to join the tour group.
- In case of peak travel seasons and when all the tickets reserved online for the scenic area are sold out, tourists are required to go to the ticket office of the scenic area by themselves under the guidance of the tour guide to handle the purchase of paper tickets on-site. Please be informed.
- Since this is a small - group itinerary, your punctual arrival at the meeting point is essential for a seamless travel experience. Tiananmen Square and the Palace Museum have strict regulations and procedures. If you are late, it may unfortunately prevent you from joining the tour and entering the Palace Museum. Due to the unique nature of the itinerary arrangements, in the event that lateness causes you to miss the tour, we regret that we will not be able to process a refund. We highly recommend that you communicate with your hotel in advance to accurately confirm the travel time from the hotel to the meeting point and make sufficient preparations. This way, you can embark on your journey with ease and enjoy every moment of it.
- In Peak season, the security checks at Tiananmen Square are particularly stringent. If the waiting time exceeds one hour, we recommend considering a bus ride that passes by the square. Given the sweltering heat, waiting in line for an extended period increases the risk of heat - related illnesses. 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.
- This tour is not recommended for travelers with physical/visual impairments or mobility restrictions due to varied terrain (underground passages, stairs) and the length of the tour. Please note that this tour covers 4 hours of walking.
- This tour is not recommended for travelers with physical/visual impairments or mobility restrictions due to varied terrain (underground passages, stairs) and the length of the tour. Please note that this tour covers 4 hours of walking.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Forbidden City Guided Group Tour with Entry Tickets|Multi‑Departs lasts about 2–3 hours. The itinerary has 7 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $22 per person for this Beijing experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 3 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with 8 departures a day between 7:30 AM and 3:00 PM.
How much does this tour cost for children?
Children aged 4–10 pay from $22, adults from $22. Infants go free.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Looking for the panda bear flag. 7:30AM/9:30AM/11:30AM Tour : Tian'anmen Square and Forbidden City Tour. Reach by taxi: Laoshe Teahouse, 请带我去前门老舍茶馆. Reach by subway: line 2 at Qianmen Station, exit C, then walking 300 meters along the Qianmen West Street. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 100 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap 0-3 Years old infant is free, children have to purchase tickets as well
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
This tour is not recommended for travelers with physical/visual impairments or mobility restrictions due to varied terrain (underground passages, stairs) and the length of the tour. Please note that this tour covers 4 hours of walking. This tour is not recommended for travelers with physical/visual impairments or mobility restrictions due to varied terrain (underground passages, stairs) and the length of the tour. Please note that this tour covers 4 hours of walking.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(2,198)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
A
A great experience with Andy.
Andy is a wonderful guide and gave us an excellent time during the visit to the Forbidden City. Great organization and time saved when accessing the different locations.
P
Outstanding - Tour and Guide!
An Exceptional Guide – Jimmy Made Our Beijing Experience Unforgettable! Jimmy was absolutely fantastic and, without a doubt, one of the highlights of our trip to Beijing! From the very first moment, he was incredibly friendly, professional, knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about showing us his city. He went far beyond simply being a tour guide — he made the entire experience feel personal, relaxed and enjoyable. His knowledge of Beijing’s history, culture and landmarks was impressive, and he explained everything in a way that was interesting and easy to understand. Whether we were visiting the Great Wall or exploring the city, Jimmy was always attentive to every detail and made sure we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves. What we appreciated most was his flexibility and willingness to adapt to what we wanted. He was always ready to help, give great recommendations, take photos, answer our questions and make sure we had the best possible experience. Jimmy has a wonderful personality, a great sense of humor and an incredibly positive attitude. By the end of our time together, it felt like we were traveling with a friend rather than simply a guide. We could not have asked for a better guide for our time in Beijing. Jimmy was truly sensational and played a huge part in making our trip unforgettable. We highly recommend him to anyone visiting Beijing — you will be in excellent hands! Thank you, Jimmy, for making our Beijing adventure so special! 🇨🇳❤️
Q
Nice!
Very nice! It was beautiful and well organised
J
Jimmy is a star...
The guide sends you the meeting instructions on your WhatsApp.
Q
Amazing trip
Jimmy - many thanks for the amazing trip! Lots of trivia and jokes along the way kept it fun yet informative. Well recommended!
N
Nice tour
Very nice tour the guide was very professional helpful and well informed on everything. I recommend it to understand the different reason and aspect of every building
N
Really Enjoyed the Tour
Traveling solo, I had a really nice experience touring the Forbidden City with Lucy today. She was friendly and knowledgeable, and I learned a lot about the history of the Forbidden City. She also took some really nice pictures for me, which I appreciated. Overall, it was a great tour!
8
History
Jimmy was our guide. He explained all about the history. I recome
C
Great tour and tour guide!
Great experience exploring the forbidden city with our tour guide, Miko. Miko was very knowledgable and gave a great overview of the history, whilst also being entertaining and funny. Perfect English too. Very easy to get where we needed to be, get our tickets, and enter. Tour was about 2 hours which is the perfect amount of time for the main areas.
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from$22
4.9(2,198) Free cancellation