Forbidden City

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Overview

It was the Chinese imperial palace, which was home to 24 emperors of Ming dynasty (1368–1644) and Qing dynasty (1644–1911). In 1987, UNESCO approved that Forbidden City was a World Heritage Site, and is listed as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.

Brief

It took almost 14 years and more than one millions labors to complete the whole process of building from 1406 to 1420, the complex consists of 980 buildings and covers over 180 acres. The palace complex exemplifies traditional Chinese palatial architecture, and has strong influence in both cultural and architectural in East Asia. As the top royal building, the materials that were used for this enormous constructions including whole logs of Phoebe zhennan wood, and large blocks of marble from quarries near Beijing. The floors of major halls were paved with “golden bricks” .

From 1420 to 1644, the Forbidden City was the seat of Ming dynasty. Then the Manchus had achieved supremacy in northern China, eventually became the winner of the war and proclaiming the rule of all China until the end of Qing Dynasty.

Since 1925 the Forbidden City has been under the charge of the Palace Museum, which extensive collection of artwork and artifacts were built upon the imperial collections of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Part of the museum’s former collection is now located in the National Palace Museum in Taipei. Both museums descend from the same institution, but were split after the Chinese Civil War. With over 14.6 million annual visitors, the Palace Museum is the most visited art museum in the world.

Forbidden City Data

Entrance fee

High Season – RMB 60.00 per person / Student ticket: RMB 20.00 per person
Low Season – RMB 40.00 per person / Student ticket: RMB 20.00 per person

Additional charge (Optional)

Hall of Clocks and Watches: RMB 10.00 per person
Hall of Jewel: RMB 10.00 per person

Tips on Visit

Forbidden City is closed on every Monday
It is suggested to book the entrance tickets one day earlier
Passport or valid ID is required for booking entrance ticket

How to Get There

By bus Take No. 1, No. 2, No. 52, No. 59, No. 82, No. 99, No. 120, No. 126, No. 1 and No. 2, get off at Tiananmen East Station （天安门东站）and walk about 900 meters to the Wu Gate (午门)

Attention
There is no parking lot in the Forbidden City, and the surrounding public parking lot is also far away, so it is not recommended to drive

By Metro Take Subway Line 1 and get off at Tiananmen East Station （天安门东站）. Walk about 900 meters and you can enter the Forbidden City from the Wu Gate (午门).