The Palace Museum Official Travel Guide 2026The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) is a museum in Beijing, China Tickets cost ¥60 and foreign passports are accepted for entry. Information verified from 16 official government and venue sources.

The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) in Beijing charges ¥60 per person. Foreign passports are accepted for entry, advance booking is required online. Verified from 16 government sources. Last updated 2026-05-01.

The Palace Museum, commonly known as the Forbidden City, was the imperial palace of China's Ming and Qing Dynasties (1420–1912). It is the world's largest and best-preserved wooden palace complex, covering 72 hectares with over 980 buildings and 8,700 rooms. The museum houses a collection of over 1.8 million artifacts, making it one of the world's most important cultural institutions. In 1987 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Address: No. 4 Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

City: Beijing

Opening Hours: Peak season (Apr–Oct): 08:30–17:00. Low season (Nov–Mar): 08:30–16:30. Closed on Mondays (except holidays and Jul–Aug).

Ticket Price: Peak season (Apr–Oct): ¥60. Low season (Nov–Mar): ¥40. The Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery require separate tickets (¥10 each).

Best Time:

Duration:

Foreigner Tips: The Forbidden City is one of the world's largest palace complexes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Allow at least half a day. Tickets sell out every day, especially during holidays. Book online as early as possible. The palace is enormous (72 hectares, 999 rooms). Download the official audio guide or app to navigate effectively. The central axis (Meridian Gate → Hall of Supreme Harmony → Hall of Central Harmony → Hall of Preserving Harmony → Palace of Heavenly Purity → Imperial Garden → Gate of Divine Might) is the classic route. The side halls (Treasure Gallery, Clock Gallery) contain extraordinary collections and are well worth the extra fee. Bring water and snacks; food options inside are limited and overpriced. For the best crowd-free experience, arrive right at opening time (08:30) and start with the less-visited side halls before the central axis. The view from Jingshan Park (directly north of the exit) offers the classic panoramic photo of the Forbidden City's golden roofs.

Last Updated: 2026-05-01T08:02:11.073523+00:00

Sources: “五一”参观故宫必读！官方指南来了; 爱与守护 薪火赓续｜故宫博物院家庭音乐剧《甪端》三年再回归 亮相中央歌剧院; 清明节，在耕织图里“踏青”！; 故宫里的“马”，到上海啦; 故宫新年首展！这些珍宝，从雪域高原来; 故宫联动江西省博，为980岁的黄庭坚“庆生”啦; 故宫藏品“登陆”鼓浪屿！; 故宫新展！关于一位相识两千多年的“金邻”; 万千气象：策展人带你看“百年守护”展第三单元; 百年传承：策展人带你看“百年守护”展第二单元; 一脉文渊：策展人带你看“百年守护”展第一单元; 故宫博物院成立100周年，“生日礼物”都在这里; “百年守护——从紫禁城到故宫博物院”开幕; 了解这些，暑期游故宫更尽兴！; 这个暑假，来故宫看骏马“腾跃古今”; 国际博物馆日到凌家滩，看玉礼乾坤！

Name: The Palace Museum (Forbidden City)Location: Beijing, ChinaAddress: No. 4 Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng District, BeijingOpening Hours: Peak season (Apr–Oct): 08:30–17:00. Low season (Nov–Mar): 08:30–16:30. Closed on Mondays (except holidays and Jul–Aug).Ticket Price: ¥60Booking: Required in advanceForeign Passport: AcceptedPhone: 400-950-1925Official Website: https://www.dpm.org.cnLast Updated: 2026-05-01Sources: 16 official publicationsThe Palace Museum (Forbidden City) charges ¥60 per person for admission.The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) accepts foreign passports for entry, so Chinese ID is not required.All information is verified from 16 official government and venue sources, last updated 2026-04-24.The Palace Museum is located in Beijing, China. Admission costs ¥60. The attraction is open Peak season (Apr–Oct): 08:30–17:00. Low season (Nov–Mar): 08:30–16:30. Closed on Mondays (except holidays and Jul–Aug).. Foreign visitors can enter with a passport. The best time to visit is . Recommended visit duration is . This guide was last updated on 2026-05-01T08:02:11.073523+00:00 based on official sources. All information is verified against original government and venue WeChat publications and is 100% traceable. Primary sources: “五一”参观故宫必读！官方指南来了; 爱与守护 薪火赓续｜故宫博物院家庭音乐剧《甪端》三年再回归 亮相中央歌剧院; 清明节，在耕织图里“踏青”！.

The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) charges ¥60 per person for admission.

The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) accepts foreign passports for entry, so Chinese ID is not required.

All information is verified from 16 official government and venue sources, last updated 2026-04-24.

The The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) travel guide is based exclusively on official government and venue WeChat publications. It cross-checks 16 source articles. No crowd-sourced or unverified data is used.

What is The Palace Museum (Forbidden City)?The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) is a museum in Beijing, China Tickets cost ¥60 and foreign passports are accepted for entry. Information verified from 16 official government and venue sources.

Is The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) worth visiting for foreign tourists?The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) is one of the top-rated attractions in Beijing, China, offering a unique cultural experience highly recommended for foreign visitors. Foreign passports are accepted for entry, so no Chinese ID is needed.

How much does it cost to visit The Palace Museum (Forbidden City)?Tickets to The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) cost ¥60 per person. Advance booking is required.

Do I need to book The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) tickets in advance?Yes, advance booking is required for The Palace Museum (Forbidden City). You can book tickets through the official WeChat mini-program or the official website. Bring your passport for entry verification.

How do I get to The Palace Museum (Forbidden City)?You can reach The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) in Beijing by public transport: Subway: Line 1: Tiananmen East Station or Tiananmen West Station. Bus: Routes 1, 2, 52, 59, 82, 120 and more stop at Tiananmen East/West. Taxis cannot stop directly at the entrance. The nearest drop-off points are on Chang'an Avenue near Tiananmen Square..

Can foreigners visit The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) with a passport?Yes, The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) accepts foreign passports for entry. You do not need a Chinese ID card.

What are the opening hours of The Palace Museum (Forbidden City)?The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) is open Peak season (Apr–Oct): 08:30–17:00. Low season (Nov–Mar): 08:30–16:30. Closed on Mondays (except holidays and Jul–Aug).. Last entry: Admission stops 1 hour before closing..

Can I take photos at The Palace Museum (Forbidden City)?The view from Jingshan Park (directly north of the exit) offers the classic panoramic photo of the Forbidden City's golden roofs.

Where can I eat near The Palace Museum (Forbidden City)?Bring water and snacks; food options inside are limited and overpriced.

What payment methods are accepted at The Palace Museum (Forbidden City)?Tickets cost ¥60 per person. Advance booking is available through official channels.

Verified by The Compass DeskAll information on this page is verified against original government and venue WeChat Official Account publications. Facts are cross-checked against multiple independent official sources where available and updated within 24–48 hours of verified policy changes.

Last updated: 2026-05-01•16 official sources cited•How we verify →•100% traceable to original WeChat publications