Beijing · Palace Museum
How to Book Forbidden City Tickets (2026)
Forbidden City tickets are 100% online. There is no walk-up window for foreigners. Slots open 7 days ahead at 20:00 Beijing time and vanish in minutes on weekends—your passport name must match exactly at the gate.
If you are searching how to book Forbidden City tickets or forbidden city booking as a foreigner, you have two realistic paths: the Palace Museum’s official channel (cheapest, hardest) or an authorized reseller such as Klook (easier English checkout, small premium). Both require your passport number days before entry.
No tickets at the gate · Passport required for every visitor · Name must match passport · Entry only in your booked time window · Daily cap 40,000 (Palace Museum limit) · Peak dates sell out fast
Method 1: Official Palace Museum channel (lowest price)
The museum sells through bookingticket.dpm.org.cn and the official WeChat mini-program (故宫博物院). The interface is mostly Chinese; foreign visitors enter passport numbers per the museum’s English visitor page.
- 7 days before your visit, 20:00 Beijing time
Log in early. Peak dates (May holidays, October Golden Week) sell out in under five minutes. - Create an account with mobile number (Chinese or roaming foreign number that receives SMS).
- Select date + entry session (morning or afternoon—do not miss your window).
- Enter passport details exactly as printed: surname, given names, passport number, nationality.
- Pay with WeChat Pay, Alipay, or linked foreign card if offered.
- Save the QR code in the app; you scan passport + face at Meridian Gate.
English booking example: See the Klook screenshot in Method 2 (full image) for the 7-day / pre-sale banner. Official WeChat flow is Chinese-only; optional WeChat mini-program screenshot only if you want a second UI example.
If official tickets show “sold out”
- Refresh at 20:30–21:00 Beijing time—unpaid orders expire.
- Try the opposite session (afternoon vs morning).
- Shift your Beijing hotel nights by one day if flexible.
Method 2: Klook (English checkout, mobile voucher)
Authorized agents sell timed entry with English checkout. Klook’s listing notes that official Palace Museum sales open within 7 days—orders farther out may be treated as pre-sale and need manual reconfirmation after you pay. Read the orange banner on the product page before you assume instant tickets. We use Klook when the official drop fails or for a bundled Forbidden City + Great Wall day.
Klook package options: which ticket to pick?
On Klook, open the Package options tab before you pay. Prices move with FX; the screenshot below shows typical USD tiers. Match the morning or afternoon session on your voucher to the time you booked.
| Package (as listed) | What you get | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tickets | Palace Museum admission only | ~US$12 | Cheapest entry; conditional cancellation; often 48-hour confirmation (fits the 7-day official window). |
| Palace Museum + English electronic guide (afternoon) | Timed entry + in-app English audio | ~US$15 | Good if you want context without a live guide; check afternoon session on the voucher. |
| Afternoon — Chinese & English bilingual guide + Jingshan Park | Half-day: Forbidden City + guide + Jingshan hill park north of the palace | ~US$28 | No cancellation on many listings; 48-hour confirmation; fixed group timing. |
| Afternoon — Chinese guide + Jingshan Park | Same route with Chinese-speaking guide only | ~US$21 | Lower cost than bilingual; best if you are comfortable following Mandarin or have a translator. |
Bundled tours often exit toward Jingshan Park for the classic rooftop view over the golden roofs—confirm meeting point and language on the Klook page before checkout.
Pair with our 10-day Beijing itinerary and Book Your Trip hub for trains and hotels.
Warm reminder: crowds, route, and luggage
- Busiest window: 10:00–13:00 daily is the peak crush inside the palace. Book an earlier morning or later afternoon slot if you want calmer halls and photos.
- Exhibitions: Special shows rotate often. Check current listings on the Palace Museum official site (English) or dpm.org.cn before you pick a date.
- Visiting route: You must tour south to north. Meridian Gate (午门) is the only entrance. Exits are Shenwu Gate (神武门) or Donghua Gate (东华门)—plan your taxi or metro from the exit you use.
- Free luggage storage: The museum offers free bag storage. Bags dropped at Meridian Gate can be collected at Shenwu Gate (one-way transfer between gates). Hours are typically 08:30–18:00—confirm on site if you have an oversized case.
- Accessibility: The activity is listed as suitable for strollers and wheelchairs; paved courtyards help, but expect stairs in some halls.
- Lockers: Additional lockers inside the venue are available if you only need short-term storage while touring.
On visit day: what to bring
- Physical passport used at booking—not a photocopy.
- Phone with QR at full brightness; screenshot backups in case of glare.
- Arrive 30 minutes early for security at Meridian Gate (南门)—your only entry.
- Large bags: Use free gate-to-gate storage (Meridian → Shenwu) or on-site lockers; do not carry a full suitcase through the courtyards.
FAQ
- How far in advance can I book Forbidden City tickets?
- Officially 7 days before your visit, with release at 20:00 Beijing time. For Golden Week, plan alternate dates before you book non-refundable hotels.
- Can foreigners buy Forbidden City tickets without WeChat?
- Official site can work in a mobile browser; many foreigners still use WeChat or Alipay mini-programs because payment is smoother. Klook works with international cards and English email.
- What if my name has a middle name?
- Match the passport machine-readable line. If official form splits surname/given name, put middle names in “given name” exactly as the passport shows.
- Are Forbidden City tickets refundable?
- Official rules vary by session; Klook listings state their policy on the product page. Read cancellation text before paying peak-holiday prices.
- Can I visit without booking if I join a tour?
- Licensed group tours still need pre-allocated slots. There is no casual walk-up entry for individual tourists.
- Which gate do I enter and exit?
- Meridian Gate only for entry. Most visitors exit Shenwu Gate north toward Jingshan Park; Donghua Gate is an alternate exit—follow signs and your ticket type.
- Can I store luggage at the Forbidden City?
- Yes—free storage can move bags from Meridian Gate to Shenwu Gate (typically 08:30–18:00). Lockers are also available inside. Travel light through the halls.
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