Forbidden City, Dongcheng: Photos, Reviews & Location

Completed in 1420, this palace complex with 980 buildings features a museum with art & artifacts.

At a glance

#3 of 21 Tourist attractions in Dongcheng

LocalGuideWorld score: 4.60

0.9 km from the center of Dongcheng

Rating breakdown

5 ★80%
4 ★11%
3 ★3%
2 ★1%
1 ★5%

4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng, Beijing, China, 100009

dpm.org.cn

Photos of Forbidden City (284)

View all

Quick facts

What is the rating of Forbidden City?: Forbidden City is rated 4.6 out of 5 based on 950 reviews.
How does Forbidden City rank in Dongcheng?: Forbidden City is #3 of 21 Tourist attractions in Dongcheng by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
Where is Forbidden City located?: 4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng, Beijing, China, 100009 — 0.9 km from the center of Dongcheng.
How can I contact Forbidden City?: Phone: +86 400 950 1925 · Website: dpm.org.cn

Reviews (8)

Shobhan Adhikari 2024 Jan 04

A historical place, with such grandeur and amazing architecture, it is a must visit place. How well they have preserved the place is exemplary and appreciable. It is a vast area and requires walking for at least 40-45 mins, so prepare in advance.

Uvini Ranaweera 2024 Jan 02

This is one of the top tourist attractions in Beijing. My visit to the palace museum was during winter and it was a different vibe out there with snow covered roofs and ground.

You must take a note of the fact that before visiting the palace you must prebook a ticket at least 12 hours in advance and an adult ticket will cost only 7 dollars. They don’t encourage ticket issuing on premises.

The palace museum marks the history of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Also you should take note of the fact palace museum is located within the forbidden city and at present a visit to forbidden city == visit to the palace museum.

If you are an history enthusiast i would recommend borrowing a voice guide. But if you are here for some stunning pictures then you can manage all by yourself.

For the youth it has become a trend to wear like chinese princes and princesses before entering the palace.

Sy Pham 2023 Dec 14

The Forbidden City in winter is a captivating experience, with the ancient architecture adorned in a serene blanket of snow. The crisp air enhances the historical aura, and the lack of crowds allows for a more intimate exploration of this iconic site. Navigating the vast courtyards, you'll find a tranquil beauty amidst the cold, offering a unique perspective on China's imperial history. Don't forget to dress warmly and savor the enchanting atmosphere of a winter day at the Forbidden City.

Sam Toh (Sammy) 2023 Dec 07

The Forbidden City in Beijing is an awe-inspiring testament to China's imperial history. Its grand architecture, intricate details, and vast courtyards transport visitors to a bygone era. Navigating the imperial halls and gardens is a captivating journey through Chinese heritage. Despite the crowds, the sheer majesty of this UNESCO World Heritage site makes it an unmissable cultural treasure.

Mikael North 2023 Nov 30

Visiting the Forbidden City in Beijing was an extraordinary experience! The grandeur and history of this massive palace complex are simply breathtaking. Walking through the vast courtyards and admiring the intricate details of the ancient architecture was like stepping back in time. The preservation of cultural artifacts and the stories behind each hall and garden were incredibly fascinating. It's a must-visit for anyone interested in Chinese history and culture. Truly an unforgettable journey through one of the world's most magnificent historical treasures!

Jia Lin 2023 Nov 25

We managed to get the tickets one day before the visit which was a work day. On the day of visit there were still long queues at the entrance but staff members were very efficient so we didn't wait for long.
The architecture is amazing and there were young girls in traditional Chinese dresses for photographs. The gift shop is also worthy of a visit.

Jie Ma 2023 Oct 20

One of the most iconic structures in all of China, this magnificent building still stands strong and mighty. Thousands of people crowded around this building when we went there which was incredibly hard to get through. When we visited this place there was a visit from a very important person so the security made us move on quickly. That caused inconvenience for us. The structure was still lovely to visit and we had a great time there.

He Xu 2023 Oct 08

This should be my fourth time visiting here and I still love it so much! There are not many places you can enter into and it will be extremely boiling 🥵 in summer. You need to prepare some water with you. The souvenir shop is selling very cute staff. Surprisingly, there is a dessert 🍨 shop in the palace! You need to book here earlier during the day. I will go back again…