Embark on a captivating guided tour of the Forbidden City, an iconic symbol of Beijing. Prepare to be captivated forever; this experience is a must-see!
Forbidden City Guided Tour
At the scheduled time, we'll meet at the Subway line 8 Jinyuhutong Station Exit C and begin this guided tour of the Forbidden City of Beijing, one of the most spectacular palace complexes in China.
Accompanied by your guide, an expert in the history of Beijing and of the palace complex, you'll wander through the immense courtyards giving way to pagodas and pavilions where you'll be able to imagine the ceremonies held here by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties throughout history.
Following a brief introduction, we'll enter this fascinating site, which UNESCO considers the world's largest architectural ensemble of ancient wooden structures. First, we'll walk through the spacious courtyards that lead to the pavilions where the emperor's official ceremonies were held.
Within the walls of the Forbidden City, 24 different emperors ruled China for almost 500 years, and its importance in Chinese history is evident as you explore. Discover the incredible details of the ancient architecture and the philosophical and religious symbolism they represent, from the yellow roof tiles - the color of the emperor - to the imperial roof decorations, gilded lion temple guardians, and exquisitely carved dragons.
We'll also visit the Royal Treasury Museum, of great ornamental value, to marvel at the magnificent craftsmanship of ancient China.
Then our guided tour will come to an end, but if you want to continue soaking up the site's history, feel free to stay within the city walls and continue your exploration!
Important: This tour operates at 8:30 am and lasts between 3.5 and 4 hours.
Forbidden City Guided Tour + Tiananmen Square (4.5 Hours)
This option includes a visit to Tiananmen Square before following the same itinerary as described above. We'll meet at Lao She's Teahouse and then start exploring some of the most iconic landmarks in modern Chinese history.
First, we'll step through the Tian'anmen Gate to the north—the very site where Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. With its colossal size of 100 acres (40.5 hectares), Tiananmen Square is the largest public square in the world! At its heart stands the Monument to the People’s Heroes, a towering granite obelisk that pays tribute to those who gave their lives during revolutionary struggles in China.
Surrounding the square are several monumental buildings that showcase the nation's political and cultural importance, such as the National Museum of China and the Great Hall of the People, which houses the Chinese government. The square is also home to the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, where visitors can pay their respects to the former leader. Over time, Tiananmen Square has witnessed defining moments in the country's recent history, including the protests in 1989, which led to widespread global attention and the declaration of Martial Law in Beijing. There is history around every corner of this square!
After exploring the area and learning some important chapters in Chinese history, we'll head over to the Forbidden City.
Important: This tour operates at 11:30 am and lasts between 4 and 4.5 hours.
Important Info
- We need a minimum of 10 people per group to run this tour. If we don't reach that number for your selected date, we'll offer you an alternative date.
- The number of tickets to the Forbidden City is very limited. Therefore, we recommend booking this tour well in advance.
- If you book more than one week in advance, keeping in mind Beijing's local time, the supplier will buy the tickets online. If you book less than one week in advance, you will have to queue up with the guide to purchase the tickets. In addition, you will not have skip-the-line access.
- On the day of the activity, you will have to fill in a short form to enter the Forbidden City. The guide will accompany you in the process.
- You must provide your passport details correctly during the booking process, as tickets to the Forbidden City will be issued based on the information you provide. If there are any errors, entry will be denied.
