The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to Beijing’s Forbidden City

Rita

Stand before towering vermilion gates where emperors once ruled, and step into 600 years of living history—this is the Palace Museum, a treasure trove of China’s imperial legacy.

Image from RedNote 小久

History in a Nutshell

Built between 1406–1420, the Forbidden City served as the imperial palace for  24 emperors  across the Ming and Qing dynasties. Its name derives from the ancient belief that the  purple star (Polaris)  symbolized the celestial emperor’s abode, and this “purple” city was forbidden to commoners. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and the world’s largest palace complex, spanning  720,000 m²  with  9,999 rooms  designed along a cosmic north-south axis710.

Must-See Sights & Experiences

🏯 I. Architectural Marvels: Symbols of an Empire Across Time

1.Hall of Supreme Harmony (Throne Hall)

Image from RedNote 旅意
  • Significance : The tallest structure (35.05m) in the Forbidden City, where 24 emperors held enthronements, weddings, and New Year ceremonies, embodying the "supreme power of the throne" (9:5 length-width ratio).

  • Architectural Details :

    • 72 colossal pillars support the hall, including 6 gilded dragon-coiled pillars encircling the throne;

    • The caisson ceiling features a carved golden dragon clutching the Xuanyuan Mirror above the throne;

    • 10 mythical creatures adorn each roof ridge—the highest architectural rank in ancient China.

  • Ceremonial Reimagining : Visualize officials kneeling on white marble terraces as incense rose from bronze cranes, amid chimes announcing imperial decrees.

2.Qianlong Garden (Ningshou Palace Garden)

Image from RedNote 炸酱面多放葱花
  • Hidden Gem : A retreat for Emperor Qianlong post-abdication, blending Jiangnan-style gardens with imperial opulence across 27 structures like the Tower of Radiant Sunset (Fuwangge) and Studio of Exhaustion from Diligence (Juanqinzhai).

  • Revived Mastery :

    • Juanqinzhai’s bamboo veneer carving—near-lost craftsmanship revived by非遗大师何福礼 (He Fuli)—features paper-thin bamboo sheets layered on wood;

    • Fuwangge’s lacquer-weave silk windows woven with gold thread are the world’s only surviving Qing-dynasty examples.

💎 II. Treasure Gallery: The Royal "Luxury Museum"

Image from RedNote Rainning
  • Location & History : Housed in Qianlong’s retirement complex (Huangjidian, Leshoutang), displaying 440+ imperial artifacts since 1958.

  • Must-See Exhibits :

    • Jade Mountain Sculpture "Yu the Great Taming Floods" : The world’s heaviest jade carving (5 tons), depicting a mythical flood-control saga, carved over 10 years;

    • Gold-Inlaid Gem Gourd-Shaped Box : Gold body studded with jadeite gourds and tourmaline vines, symbolizing "boundless fortune";

    • Zhenfei Well : Site of Emperor Guangxu’s beloved consort’s tragic end—note the palm-sized replica wellhead.

  • Pro Tip : Arrive by 9 AM to avoid crowds; use magnifiers for the "Olive-Stone Carved Boat" (grain-sized masterpiece).

🌿 III. Imperial Garden: Nature’s Poetry in the Forbidden City

1.Duixiu Hill & Qianlong’s "Water Tricks"

  • Millennia-Old Rocks : Taihu stones from the Northern Song’s imperial "Genyue" garden (300 years older than the palace) piled into a hill during the Ming era.

  • Fountain Wonder : Qianlong engineered a hydraulic fountain ("shuifa") using hill terrain—reactivated in 2014 after 20 years, spraying daily at set times.

2.Modern Upgrades

  • Accessibility : Wooden walkways expanded paths to 5,600 m² (60,000 sq ft), reducing cobblestone wear;

  • Cultural Preservation : Replaced metal railings with hedges to deter coin-tossing at relics.

🎎 IV. Immersive Experiences: Become a Palace Protagonist

1.Hanfu Time Travel

  • Rental Spots : Shops near Meridian Gate offer Ming/Qing attire—opt for a Ming mamianqun (horse-face skirt) or Qing qipao for regal photos against vermilion walls.

Image from RedNote 钟文泽日常

2.Cultural Engagement

  • Seal Stamping : Buy a "Palace Passport" (¥60) and collect 24 emperor seals at 10 stations like the Icehouse Café;

  • Digital Journeys :

    • Duanmen Digital Museum: Animated Along the River During Qingming Festival scroll;

    • Palace Museum Daily App: HD artifact close-ups + untold stories.

Image from RedNote 想当早睡冠军

📸 V. Photography & Seasonal Magic

  • Golden Angles :

    • Corner Towers at Sunset: East/West towers near Shenwumen for symmetrical "golden light piercing arches";

    • Hall of Supreme Harmony Wings: Low-angle shots of mythical roof beasts against blue skies.

  • Seasonal Spectacles :

    • Snow-Clad Palace : Crimson walls + snow-dusted golden roofs (Dec–Feb)—book tickets 7 days early;

    • Autumn in Qianlong Garden : Ginkgo carpeting Ningshou Palace paths (late Oct)—serene and crowd-free.

Image from RedNote Alan海七📸

🎧 VI. Language Services & Routes

  • Multilingual Support :

    • Audio guides (35 languages, ¥40) include AR recreations of the Hall of Supreme Harmony;

    • English guided tours (2hrs from ¥250) for "Architectural Secrets" or "Harem Legends" themes.

  • Efficient Routes :
    Half-Day Highlights : Meridian Gate → Hall of Supreme Harmony → Treasure Gallery → Qianlong Garden → Imperial Garden → Shenwumen Gate (~3.5hrs).

Visitor Essentials for Foreign Travelers

Hours

  • 8:30 AM–5:00 PM (last entry 3:30 PM; closed Mondays).

Tickets :

  • Book online via Palace Museum EN website (passport required).

  • Price: ¥60 (Apr–Oct), ¥40 (Nov–Mar); Treasure/Clock Gallery : +¥10 each.

  • Pro tip: Free entry for under-18s (with ID)! Avoid scalpers—official sales open 7 days ahead 258.

Transport :

  • Subway : Line 1 to Tian’anmen East (Exit B), walk 10min to Meridian Gate (main entrance).

  • Bus : Routes 1/2/52 to “Tian’anmen East”.

3 Top Eats Near the Palace

四季民福烤鸭店 (Siji Minfu Roast Duck)

Image from RedNote 橙花与叶
  • Devour crispy duck while gazing at the palace’s corner towers !

  • Must-order: Peking Duck + Belle BBQ (honey-glazed lamb).

  • Locate: 11 Nanchizi St (10min walk from East Gate).

河沿肉饼 (Heyan Roubing)

Image from RedNote 吱吱
  • Hole-in-wall spot for flaky Peking Duck Meat Pie and sesame-sugar pancakes.

  • Locate: 159 Beiheyan St (5min from East Gate).

故宫冰窖 (Forbidden City Icehouse Café)

Image from RedNote 
  • Sip latte in a  Qing-dynasty ice cellar ! Try the “Jade Cabbage” cake 🥬.
  • Locate: Inside palace, near Cining Garden.

Insider Tips

  • Beat crowds : Enter via Meridian Gate (main gate) but exit via East Glorious Gate —closer to Siji Minfu!

  • Storage : Drop bags at Zhongshan Park service center (west of entrance; free for 1hr+ visits)1.

  • Comfort first : Rent wheelchairs/strollers at Meridian Gate (¥200 deposit).

Step beyond the vermilion gates and feel time collapse—where emperors decreed dynasties, artisans carved immortality into jade, and whispers of silk-clad consorts still linger in moonlit courtyards. You’re not just a visitor here. You’re the curator of your own adventure:

  • Press your palm against the same marble where empresses once stood,

  • Trace the gold threads of Qianlong’s windows—a touch bridging centuries,

  • Let snow-dusted rooftops crown your story with imperial magic.

The Forbidden City’s greatest treasure isn’t behind glass—it’s the echo of your footsteps on its ancient stones.