Overview
3-4 hour private Forbidden City tour with entry tickets and expert guide through imperial palace.
About This Tour
Hear the stories behind Forbidden City during a small-group walking tour in Beijing. Explore all the key sites including the Imperial Garden, and discover fun facts about the Ming and Qing dynasties from your guide. Upgrade your tour to explore Tian’anmen Square—the world’s largest public square or climb up to the summit of Jingshan Coal Hill Park to enjoy panoramic views of Beijing's cityscape, including an unparalleled view of the Forbidden City.
Use a prebooked ticket to access the Forbidden City
Hear stories relating to the Ming and Qing dynasties
Visit the Meridian Gate, Imperial Garden, and more
A small group means more attention from your guide
Tian'anmen Square might close without advance notice due to government activity, if this happens you will skip the Square
Use a prebooked ticket to access the Forbidden City
Hear stories relating to the Ming and Qing dynasties
Visit the Meridian Gate, Imperial Garden, and more
A small group means more attention from your guide
Tian'anmen Square might close without advance notice due to government activity, if this happens you will skip the Square
Itinerary
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Please note: You must bring actual passport for this tour. This tour have two options Option 1: Tian'anmen Square and Forbidden City Group Tour Start time: 10:00am Meeting point: In front of Beijing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall Option 2: Forbidden City and Coal Hill Park Group Tour (Tour without Tian'anmen Square) Start time: 8:00am and 13:00 Meeting point: In front of Donghuamen (East gat of the Forbidden City) Itinerary: Option 1: Forbidden Cit Tour with Tian'anmen Square Meet your group in front of Beijing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, then follow your tour guide to go through travel agency passage to enter Tian'anmen Square (It might close anytime by the government, in that case everyone have to wait the line).
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Tiananmen Square is the geographical center of Beijing City. It is the largest city square in the world, occupying an area of 440,000 square meters (about 109 acres).Followed by your expert and professional guide, a very informative introduction of the Tian'anmen square and surrounding buildings will be given to your group, as everyone moves along towards to the Forbidden City. Read more about - 4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets - https://www.viator.com/tours/Beijing/4-Hour-Small-Group-Tour-to-Forbidden-City-with-Entry-Tickets/d321-11301P67?mcid=56757
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Once enter the Forbidden City, your guide will find a quite sitting area and introduce you to the palace, making you feel immersed in the history of the Ming and Qing Dynasty. People always say: when visit Forbidden city, 70% is to learn the stories and 30% is to see the palace.During the walking tour, you will stop at different locations to have the "Story time" and gain the insight view to the fascinating culture.This detailed tour to the Forbidden city also including the visit to the important museums to discover the treasures from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
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You will visit important buildings such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony and Hall of Preserving Harmony.
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Then continue to check out the living quarters in the palace: Hall of Union, Hall Heavenly Purity, and Hall of Earthly Tranquillity.
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You'll be walking pass the most notable buildings during the tour as well as the west and east chambers. Check the Itinerary for the full list of sights. Stroll around the courtyards and halls of the Forbidden city with your tour guide, and learn the histories and stories about this massive palace. You will visit these buildings inside the Forbidden City. Hall of Great Harmony where the emperor handle states affairs. Read more about - 4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets - https://www.viator.com/tours/Beijing/4-Hour-Small-Group-Tour-to-Forbidden-City-with-Entry-Tickets/d321-11301P67?mcid=56757
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Your tour will end at the Imperial Garden in the north, then you can decide to explore more of the Palace on your own, or going to the next destination. Your guide will give suggestions for you on where to go and how to get to the next place.
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If you choose option 2, after the Forbidden city. Dive into Beijing's rich history with a short hike in Jingshan Park, climb up to the the summit of Jingshan Hill with your tour guide, enjoy panoramic views of Beijing's cityscape, including an unparalleled view of the Forbidden City. For option 2, your tour will end here. Read more about - 4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets - https://www.viator.com/tours/Beijing/4-Hour-Small-Group-Tour-to-Forbidden-City-with-Entry-Tickets/d321-11301P67?mcid=56757
Meeting & Pickup
Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall
📍 20 Qian Men Dong Da Jie, Bei Jing Shi, 100051, CN
Jingshan Front Street
📍 Jing Shan Qian Jie, Bei Jing Shi, CN
What's Included
✓ Included
Professional guide
Fobiddden city entrance fee
If you choose the Tian'anmen Square option entry ticket is included
If you choose the Coal Hill Park option then entry ticket is included
Fobiddden city entrance fee
If you choose the Tian'anmen Square option entry ticket is included
If you choose the Coal Hill Park option then entry ticket is included
✕ Not included
Hotel pick up and drop-off
Gratuites
If you choose option: Tian'anmen Square and Forbidden City, you will not visit Coal Hill Park
If you choose Forbidden City and Coal Hill Park option, you will not visit Tian'anmen Square
Gratuites
If you choose option: Tian'anmen Square and Forbidden City, you will not visit Coal Hill Park
If you choose Forbidden City and Coal Hill Park option, you will not visit Tian'anmen Square
Know Before You Go
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not suitable for pets
- Infants must not sit on laps
- Infant seats unavailable
- Not recommended for people with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for people with heart conditions
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation is available on most tours up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact cancellation terms for this tour are shown during booking.
Traveler Reviews
4.6★★★★★Based on 46 reviews
Liam W.🇦🇺 Australia★★★★★2025-10
In hindsight, I expected the Forbidden City to be the headline, and it was. What I didn't expect was how much context from the guide changed what I noticed there.
Sarah Z.🇦🇹 Austria★★★★☆2024-05
Practically speaking, I liked that the day had structure without feeling scripted. Questions were answered properly, and there was also time to look around in silence. My only advice is not to shorten the time at the Forbidden City.
Marco Y.🇧🇪 Belgium★★★★★2026-04
The pace suited us, but this is not a lazy half day. Leave some space before whatever you plan next. The time around the Forbidden City was not the part I would cut.