SL C

Tried 4 Peking duck restaurants and this one has the best version although Siji Minfu comes close. Relaxing ambiance to unwind after a full day sightseeing with excellent service

Visited on weekday end Nov - not too crowded (as someone who hates crowded areas). The scale, magnificence and sense of grandeur is palpable - one has to be there to truly experience it. For best photos and even lesser crowds, walk / explore around the edges. Allocated full day - was rewarding to explore the different areas within palace at a fairly relaxed pace. Restaurant inside the compound was a model of efficiency in feeding the masses of tourists lined up. Queue was fast moving.

Reserved via email but ticket admin advises “The ticketing website for international visitors has been opened (https://bookingticket.dpm.org.cn ) and tickets can be booked here from now on”

Visited in November 2023. Fantastic journey into history - as expected from a top 3 museum in China - the quantity and quality of exhibits transports one back in time.

Mandatory to reserve in advance though it’s free. Booked tickets via WeChat app mini program. Be patient - if it doesn’t work / go through first time, try again (as with many China based apps - persistence pays off).

Security checks to enter premises are efficient. All national Monuments close on Monday so plan around this.