The Palace Museum / Forbidden City

• Tiananmen Square
• Architectural Wonders
• Deluxe Halls
• Red lacquer box carved with chrysanthemum picking scene
• European clocks and watches
• Beautiful artworks
• Stunning architecture

It is 6.2 km away from the City Center.

By Subway:
Take Subway Line 1, get off at Tiananmen East Station (Exit A) or Tiananmen West Station (Exit B), find the Tiananmen Tower, and then walk north to the Meridian Gate;
Take Subway Line 2, get off at Qianmen Station (Exit A), walk north through the Tiananmen Square, pass the Tiananmen Tower, and then find the Meridian Gate further north.

• Take Subway Line 1, get off at Tiananmen East Station (Exit A) or Tiananmen West Station (Exit B), find the Tiananmen Tower, and then walk north to the Meridian Gate;
• Take Subway Line 2, get off at Qianmen Station (Exit A), walk north through the Tiananmen Square, pass the Tiananmen Tower, and then find the Meridian Gate further north.Subway Fare: 3 Yuan for every 6 km

By Bus:
Take Bus 1, 2, 52, 59, 82, 120, Sightseeing Bus Line 2 or Tourist Bus Line 2, and get off at Tiananmen East Station;
Take Bus 1, 5, 52, Sightseeing Bus Line 1, Sightseeing Bus Line 2 or Tourist Line 2, and get off at Tiananmen West Station.

• Take bus 1, 2, 52, 59, 82, 120, Sightseeing Bus Line 2 or Tourist Bus Line 2, and get off at Tiananmen East Station;
• Take bus 1, 5, 52, Sightseeing Bus Line 1, Sightseeing Bus Line 2 or Tourist Line 2, and get off at Tiananmen West Station.

Bus Fare: 2 Yuan for every 10 km

• Wear comfortable shoes and adequate sun protection with the little opportunity to rest in between.
• Choose a guided tour for detailed information of the museum.
• If you do not want to choose the guided tour, then opt for the audio tours available in multiple languages.
• If you're looking for souvenirs to take back home, then look out for shops as you enter the Meridian Gate.
• You must show your passport at the entrance, for the security check. Original not required.
• If you have a Student card, you obtain a 50% discount at the entrance. (Should be undergraduate but sometimes if your ID don’t have any mark about under or postgraduate you will not have problems).
• You can go through the halls between the Tian'anmen (gate of heaven) and the palace without any fee.
• To go inside the palace, the ticket office is on the right hand.
• The entrance is from South Gate and the exit is at the north gate, so you will not get out at the same place. 
• Take a guided tour and audio guide or at least read something about the forbidden city and China. If not, you will not understand why the roof is yellow, or how they get warm in winter, instead everything will look the same to you.
• There are security checkpoints. Carry a valid ID.
• Book tickets online as there are no offline ticket counters available.
• Don't visit the Forbidden City during the Spring Festival or on the National day, because it will be so crowded.
• Get a camera along with you.
• It is better to take some snacks because the food is expensive there.
• At the entrance gate, you will be offered an auto guide.

April to October:

Sunday:            8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monday:           8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday:          8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday:     8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Thursday:         8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday:              8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday:         8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

November to March:

Sunday:          8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday:         8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Tuesday:        8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday:   8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Thursday:       8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Friday:            8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday:        8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.