Top 20 Forbidden City FAQs
1. What is the Forbidden City?
The Forbidden City, the world's largest and best-preserved wooden palace complex, served as China's imperial palace and political hub from 1420 to 1911.
Today, it has transformed into a comprehensive museum, the Palace Museum, showcasing ancient architecture, imperial treasures, and historical artworks. It's a must-visit for all people around the world.
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Why is the Forbidden City important?
2. What can I see in the Forbidden City? As for buildings, you can see palaces, halls, towers, pavilions, belvederes, and gardens. Except for the structure, the exquisite decorations on the roofs, eaves, walls, railings, pillars and furniture will also leave a deep impression on you.
In terms of exhibits, visitor can admire selected cultural relics, including jewels, ceramics, clocks, paintings, calligraphies, sculptures, and so on, all dating back hundreds to thousands of years.
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Forbidden City Architecture
Layout of Forbidden City - Outer Court and Inner Court in Perfect Axisymmetry
3. Where is the Forbidden City? The Forbidden City is situated to the north of Tiananmen Square in the center of Beijing, within 15-minute walk from the Square to its only entrance the Meridian Gate (South Gate).
4. When was the Forbidden City built? It was constructed from 1406 and completed in 1420, which is now over 600 years old.
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5. Who built the Forbidden City? Emperor Yongle (1320~1424) of the Ming Dynasty (1368~1644) constructed the Forbidden City. Before Beijing's Forbidden City, there was another imperial palace in southern China. However, Emperor Yongle, who had once served as a prince in Beijing, had stronger influence and deeper connections to the area. As a result, he chose Beijing as the site for the new imperial palace, the Forbidden City.
6. Why is it called the "Forbidden City"? In the past, commoners were prohibited from entering the Forbidden City without permission and only imperial families and invited high officials can enter. Hence the name.
7. How big is the Forbidden City? As the largest palace complex, it runs 753 meters (823 yards) from east to west, and extends 961 meters (1,051 yards) from north to south, covering an area of about 72 hectares (178 acres).
8. Who lived in the Forbidden City? In total, 24 emperors worked and lived there from 1420 to 1911 with their imperial families and servants.
9. Who lives in the Forbidden City nowadays? In fact, no one lives there anymore. It's mainly used by tourists who come to visit, staff who work there, and scholars who study its history.
10. What are the opening hours of the Forbidden City? The Forbidden City is open all year round with varying hours based on the season:
- April 1st to October 31st: 8:30 – 17:00 (last entry at 16:00)
- November 1st to March 31st: 8:30 – 16:30 (last entry at 15:30)
Closed on Mondays (except public holidays) and may be temporarily closed due to special events or severe weather. Please check the official website for the latest opening hours before your visit.
11. When is the best time to visit the Forbidden City? The best time is from late March to early June and late August to November. Avoid summer vacations in July and August and China's public holidays, when there will be a sea of people.
12. Is photography allowed in the Forbidden City?
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| Photography in Forbidden City |
Outdoor photography for private use is permitted throughout the Forbidden City, but commercial photography is not allowed to prevent damage to buildings and ensure a smooth visit for other tourists. The use of tripods and flash is prohibited in both special and permanent exhibition halls to protect cultural relics.
13. Are there any dress codes for visiting the Forbidden City? The Forbidden City has a relaxed dress code. Visitors are simply expected to dress neatly.
If interested, you can try traditional Chinese attire, such as Hanfu (ancient costume) or cheongsams, which will enhance your cultural experience in the historic ambiance.
14. How much are the tickets? Do I need to purchase them in advance? The general admission fee is CNY 60 from April to October and CNY 40 from November to March. Entry to the Treasure Gallery and Clock and Watch Gallery each costs an additional CNY 10.
All visitors must make online ticket reservations 1 to 7 days in advance, as same-day ticket purchases are not available.
15. How to get the Forbidden City tickets? Tickets can be purchased through the Forbidden City's official website "The Palace Museum" (English version) or the Forbidden City's WeChat mini-program (Chinese version ONLY).
However, many visitors find booking the tickets for this world-renowned attraction could be tough, especially during weekends or holidays, so using the travelchinaguide booking service may be a hassle-free option if needed.
16. How can I get to the Forbidden City? Visitors can take Metro Line 1 or bus routes like 1, 2, 52, or 120, or hail a taxi to get close to Tiananmen Square, Gate of East Prosperity (Donghuamen), or Gate of West Prosperity (Xihuamen), and then walk to the Meridian Gate (Wumen) to enter the Forbidden City.
17. How long should I spend visiting the Forbidden City? It depends on which route or how many attractions you choose. Usually, a Forbidden City tour takes at least 3 hours.
If your schedule is tight, you can spend three hours touring from the south entrance to the north exit along the central axis. Time permitting, you can spend a whole day there. Apart from the central axis, you can also visit the palaces and halls on the East Wing and the West Wing. See more
How to visit the Forbidden City?
18. Is it true there are 9999.5 rooms in the Forbidden City? It's said that there are 9,999.5 rooms in the Forbidden City, only 0.5 less than the rooms of the Jade Emperor's (the Supreme Deity of Taoism) palace in the heaven. Emperor Yongle picked this number to emphasize royal supremacy without offending the deity.
However, according to a filed survey conducted in 1972, there are altogether 8,707 rooms in the Forbidden City, hinting that "9999.5 rooms" might just be exaggeration.
19. Is it possible to visit the entire Forbidden City within one day? It is quite challenging to cover every detail in one day; ideally, a complete and in-depth tour would require 2-3 days.
20. Which is more advisable: exploring the Forbidden City on my own or with a guided tour? For first-time visitors, a guided tour is highly recommended. The intricate architecture and profound history of the Forbidden City necessitate the expertise of a professional guide to be fully appreciated. You could opt for guided tours provided by travelchinaguide, with additional services like ticket booking and personalized itineraries with small group size, daily departure and no shopping stops.
Further Reading
Facts & History of Forbidden City
What is the Forbidden City famous for?
Are there Toilets in the Forbidden City?
