Landmark
Forbidden City
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The Forbidden City is a sprawling complex of palaces, courtyards, and gardens that served as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government for almost five centuries. Visitors walk through the Meridian Gate into a world of golden roofs, marble staircases, and intricate carvings. The sheer scale, over 980 buildings, is awe-inspiring, and the symmetry and design reflect Confucian principles of order. As you wander through the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the imperial gardens, you'll feel the weight of history in every stone.
Don't miss
- Walk through the Meridian Gate and across the Golden Water River bridges
- Visit the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the largest wooden structure in China
- Explore the imperial gardens with ancient cypress trees and rockeries
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Forbidden City
You can see Forbidden City on your own. A tour is worth it for the story behind it, for transport, or for combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inForbidden City/ Palace Museum & Tiananmen Sq. Ticket Booking4.7★ · 162 travelers2-4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$3 per personSee dates →
Best full dayAll-inclusive Day Tours: Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City, Great Wall4.9★ · 2,166 travelers10-11 hoursFree cancellationFrom$9 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleBeijing Private Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall and Forbidden City5★ · 63 travelers~9 hoursFree cancellationFrom$106 per personSee dates →Getting there
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