Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square
Take in Tian’anmen Square, and then step into history with a tour of the Forbidden City.
Booking info
Private tour: Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square
From ¥450 and up per person, depending on group size.
For cost details please see the table of prices and inclusions
This half-day trip provides an immersive experience in the heart of Chinese imperial history and architecture.
Home to Chinese emperors for over 500 years, the Forbidden City is a magnificent imperial palace complex showcasing the peak of Ming and Qing Dynasty-era architecture and culture.
These city tours aren’t the hikes that Beijing Hikers is famous for, but they are the sort of outings we’d do for visiting friends or family—we’d never send them off on a mass-market package tour!
The Forbidden City …
Home to Chinese emperors for over 500 years, the Forbidden City is a magnificent imperial palace complex showcasing the peak of Ming and Qing Dynasty-era architecture and culture.
Your guide will design an itinerary using the following list, based on your interests and available time. As you explore, they will provide important information and answer your questions.
Key locations at the Forbidden City
- Duan Men—the Meridian Gate, the southern entrance to the Forbidden City, where important ceremonies and processions took place.
- Wu Men—the Gate of Supreme Harmony, the main entrance to the inner palace area, where the emperor held court and conducted state affairs.
- The Three Main Halls—comprising the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony, where imperial ceremonies and banquets were held.
- Yangxin Palace—a private residence of the emperor, used for rest and leisure.
- Cinong Palace—a hall used for storage of imperial treasures and archives.
- Nine-Dragons Screen—a decorative screen wall with intricate carvings, symbolizing power and prosperity.
- Huangji Palace—the Palace of Heavenly Purity, where the emperor handled state affairs and received officials.
- Zhenfei’s Well—a well in the Forbidden City where legend says the emperor’s favourite concubine, Zhenfei, drowned herself.
- The Imperial Garden—a tranquil garden retreat for the imperial family, featuring pavilions, ponds, stone and rock arrangements, and lush greenery.
- The Three Halls of the Harem—where the emperor’s concubines resided.
- The East or West Sixth Palace—residential areas for imperial consorts.
You’ll finish your tour by walking out through Shenwu Men, the Gate of Divine Might.
At Tian’anmen Square …
See the vast expanse of Tian’anmen Square, the world’s largest public square. Your tour guide will assist you through the security checks, and show you the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the location of the Mausoleum of Chairman Mao, and the National Flag.
You’ll visit Tian’anmen Square before your tour of the Forbidden City.
In summer we strongly recommend you skip the Tian’anmen Square visit. The lines at the security checkpoints are extremely long, the heat of the sun and concrete can be overwhelming. If you do visit, we advise you use a locker service to hold all any bags so you can get through security more quickly.
For a successful booking—Tickets for the Forbidden City are difficult to purchase. For the best chance for a successful visit, you’ll book and pay for the the trip two weeks in advance. There’s little to no chance of it working out without at least 7 days for us to work on it.
Prices and inclusions
Prices
| Group size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4–5 | 6–7 | 8–9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person |
¥2,000 | ¥1,100 | ¥800 | ¥650 | ¥600 | ¥450 |
Inclusions
- English-speaking tour guide.
- Tickets and entry fees.
- 3-hour morning or afternoon itinerary.
Add-ons at extra cost
- Pickup in private vehicle from the airport or your hotel in central Beijing.
- Add a visit to Jingshan Park.
- Visit Jingshan Park instead of Tian’anmen Square.
Not included: meals, snacks, drinks, surprise shopping trips.
Booking countdown
| T-2 weeks | Payment has been received, passport information has been provided |
|---|---|
| T-1 week | Ticket purchase confirmed |
| T-3 days | Guide contact information and meeting location confirmed |
| On the day | Meet up with your guide, tour commences |
