Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City Tour

Accompanied by your guide, start this Beijing walking tour from a few minutes’ walk to the huge Tiananmen Square in the very center of the city. As a witness to innumerable historic events, the square is now the home accommodating many monumental buildings that rose from the ashes of history. Fast-forwarding back five centuries, it was still a part of the Forbidden City in front, used for the civil and military officials to receive imperial edicts, forbidden to the folks with impenetrable walls around. Over time, it has expanded to today’s scale, becoming the venue for massive national ceremonies and celebrations. With your guide, leisurely stroll all the way north to the Tiananmen Tower, shooting beautiful photos of the landmark buildings around, such as the Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Monument to the People’s Heroes, and the National Museum.

► Please Note: Security checks at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City is rigorous. Expect significant queues, especially during holidays. To minimize wait times, avoid bringing a bag if possible. Just bring essentials like your passport and bottled water, and please double-check that you aren’t carrying drones, selfie sticks, or any sprays. Thank you for your understanding!

Securing tickets for the Forbidden City is one of the biggest challenges for travelers in China. However, you can rest easy; our dedicated team will handle the entire reservation process in advance, ensuring you a guaranteed and seamless entry.

Passing through the Tiananmen Tower, let’s embark on our royal journey in the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of 24 emperors and their families for nearly 5 centuries since 1420 AD. With resplendent wooden architecture and plenteous treasures left behind to tell ancient Chinese art and culture, it has been a guest on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Surprisingly, there is a total of 9999.5 rooms in the Forbidden City. Why is there even a half-room? Rumor has it that during the construction of the first emperor, he had a dream in which the God of Heaven warned him that the number of his palaces mustn’t exceed 10,000 in Heaven, or it’d be a blasphemy. Neither dared to disobey the god nor wanted to lower his status, which is the supreme authority in the secular world, he thus ordered to build only half a room less.

With your guide, spend 2 hours or so exploring the main buildings centered upon the central axis, which splits the entire compound into two symmetrical halves, and seeing behind the iconic yellow roofs and red walls to feel the charm of oriental aesthetics. As you step inside, you’ll first be welcomed by the three major halls of the Outer Court, the office realm of the emperors. When approaching the grandest Hall of Supreme Harmony, picture the scene of enthronements and weddings of the emperors under your guide’s wonderful commentaries.  Enter the Inner Court with three major palaces, the private living quarters of emperors and their empresses, and get a glimpse into the intricate systems of etiquette, as well as the imperial sacrificial ceremonies in the palace. Also, relax with a stroll in the Imperial Garden behind, which is graced with rockery, lushness, and serenity, just like the emperors and their concubines of that time.

► Notes:
1. Tickets for the Forbidden City need to be purchased with your exact passport information 7 days in advance when they are released online, so to ensure a smooth entry on the day of your visit, we recommend that you book the tour at least 8 days in advance. 
2. Treasure Gallery, the Gallery of Timepieces, or any other temporary exhibitions in the Forbidden City are not included in this tour.

As we reach the northernmost exit, the Gate of Divine Prowess, your Forbidden City small group tour welcomes a happy ending. Your guide will bid you farewell here, and it’s your choice to take advantage of your ticket to linger inside longer to explore more hidden palaces and treasures on its eastern and western wings by yourself, or return to your hotel directly. Of course, your guide will be glad to share suggestions on transportation back to your hotel. Hope you enjoyed the trip with us!
● FYI: If you’re feeling hungry, there are two reasonably priced restaurants on the east side of the Inner Court in the Forbidden City - perfect for a lunch break before you see more.

Beijing also boasts many other unmissable UNESCO wonders, such as the Mutianyu Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace, and if you’re interested, consider our other 1 to 2 days mini group tours. Our travel consultants always welcome your inquiries!