China · FORBIDDEN CITY TOURS

Forbidden City Tickets & Tours: The 15 Best Ways In

80 tours  ·  from $6 a head

Entry is capped, sold against your passport and gone days ahead in season, so the booking matters more than the guide. These 15 cover the plain ticket, the small-group runs that include it, and the combinations that add Tiananmen Square or Jingshan hill.

Beijing: Forbidden City Tour(Group/Private)-Tickets Included - Meeting Tian’anmen Square without wasting the morning
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Beijing: Forbidden City Tour(Group/Private)-Tickets Included

1.Forbidden City Tour(Group/Private)-Tickets Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 7,974 reviews · 3 - 8 hours · from $4Our pick

Choose a small-group or private visit to Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City, led by experienced English-speaking guides such as Mina, Miko, Maria, or Jay. Palace Museum entry is arranged for you. Longer options add the Clock and Treasure museums or Coal Hill Park, while a private booking can include hotel pickup.

“Our guide Susan spoke perfect English and had a fantastic knowledge of Chinese history. It was exactly why we booked private tour. There is no way we could navigate through tiananmen square so quick by ourselves. Lots of different queues in different places. Susan was absolutely incredible.”

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Beijing: T-Square & Forbidden City Group or Private Tour - Tiananmen Square: a one-hour introduction
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Beijing: T-Square & Forbidden City Group or Private Tour

2.T-Square & Forbidden City Group or Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,446 reviews · 3 - 8 hours · from $17

See Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with a multilingual guide such as Tony, Michael, Gary, or Song. Choose a 3-hour Forbidden City visit, a 4-hour group tour with the square, or a private day adding the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Hutongs, or Great Wall. Expect security checks, brisk walking, and help with Beijing’s complicated entry process.

“Our Guide-James was really kind, helpful and has great knowledge about history of Forbidden City. He showed us some interesting objects in the museum and guided us through Tiananmen square.”

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All-Inclusive Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall - Walking Into the Forbidden City
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All-Inclusive Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall

3.All-Inclusive Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,873 reviews · from $128Top rated

Spend 9 to 11 hours with a private guide such as Lucy, Wendy, or Jerry, visiting Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Mutianyu Great Wall. Hotel pickup, transport, lunch, entrance fees, bottled water, and either a cable car or chairlift and toboggan ride are included. Expect a full, active day with useful help at security points.

“Jerry was an amazing guide, catering to our interests, giving us tips that allowed us to sail thru security, and seeing the good stuff! He knew historical details that thrilled these history buffs’ hearts. This trip was clearly bucket list items, and he allowed us all the time we needed to fully appreciate our amazing time at the Great Wall! I’d recommend this tour and Jerry both!”

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4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets - Tiananmen Square: important, but not always quick
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4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets

4.4-Hour Small Group Tour to Forbidden City with Entry Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,863 reviews · from $15

Explore Beijing’s Forbidden City with a guide in a group capped at 15 people. Hear stories of the Ming and Qing emperors, see the Meridian Gate, grand halls, living quarters, and Imperial Garden. Choose Tiananmen Square or Jingshan Park, and bring your passport for entry.

“Good and expert guide (Maria), with value for money. The pace was very relax and probably due to off peak, the group size is small. Maria was very helpful through the tour and patiently helping us taking photos. Her spoken English was good and clear.”

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Beijing Full Day Tours: Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City, Great Wall - Three hours inside the Forbidden City
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Beijing Full Day Tours: Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City, Great Wall

5.Beijing Full Day Tours: Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City, Great Wall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,634 reviews · from $99

This 10 to 11-hour small-group outing links Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Mutianyu Great Wall. Expect hotel pickup within Beijing’s Third Ring Road, an English-speaking guide such as Helen or Rocky, entrance fees, buffet lunch, water, and a cable car or chairlift and toboggan ride. It is an efficient first-day introduction, but expect a long, active schedule.

“Mary is our tour guide! Thank Mary for sharing her expertise, food and experience! She has been great Great way to go to all the places! May not be the best to come to China or any East Asian countries during summer. Otherwise, well worth it to not go through the hassle of doing all of them yourselves.”

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Beijing: Tianmen Square, Forbidden City & Royal Museum Tours - Entering the Forbidden City with ticket assistance
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Beijing: Tianmen Square, Forbidden City & Royal Museum Tours

6.Tianmen Square, Forbidden City & Royal Museum Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,288 reviews · from $4

Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with ticket help or a guided group tour. Choose English or Spanish, morning or afternoon departures, and select options that include the Royal Treasures Museum. Guides such as Linda, Vanessa, Mary, Snow, and Icy are praised for clear stories, crowd help, and patient care in the heat.

“The meeting point could be closer to the entrance, because it's a lot of walking inside the palace anyway.”

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Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking (Optional: guide service) - The central halls and the emperor’s public world
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Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking (Optional: guide service)

7.Beijing Forbidden City Ticket Booking (Optional: guide service)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,263 reviews · from $9Best value

Reserve a morning or afternoon entry to Beijing’s Forbidden City, then explore its grand halls, imperial courtyards, Palace of Earthly Tranquility, and Imperial Garden. Your passport serves as your entry credential. You can visit independently or add a guide such as Bobo, Summer, Marco, Sophia, or Maggie. The visit takes about three to four hours.

“Thank you Lisa, you have been a wonderful guide! I recommend this tour to improve your experience about the visit of forbidden city.”

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Beijing: Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square Waking Tour - Starting at Tian’anmen Square
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Beijing: Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square Waking Tour

8.Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square Waking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,002 reviews · 8 hours · from $2

Choose a 3.5 to 8-hour Beijing tour with guides such as Huang or Alice, visiting Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and, on longer options, the Temple of Heaven. Expect a lot of walking, identity checks, timed admission, palace stories, photo help, and clear guidance through one of China’s biggest sights.

“It was a very nice experience. Our guide was very nice and funny!”

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Forbidden City&T-Square Small GroupTours w/ ticket(Eng/Esp Guide) - What you see inside the Forbidden City
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Forbidden City&T-Square Small GroupTours w/ ticket(Eng/Esp Guide)

9.Forbidden City&T-Square Small GroupTours w/ ticket(Eng/Esp Guide)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 995 reviews · from $11

Visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Palace Museum’s Treasure Gallery with an English or Spanish guide. Small groups of up to 15 use secured admission tickets, an earpiece, and late-arrival support. Expect about 4.5 hours of walking, with guides such as Vanessa, Linda, Snow, Ivy, and Icy often leading the route.

“Vanessa did a great job of guiding us through the different places. She was also able to tell so many facts about the things she showed us.”

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Beijing: The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket - Choosing morning or afternoon entry
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Beijing: The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket

10.The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 836 reviews · 40 minutes - 9 hours · from $4

Book a morning or afternoon entry to Beijing’s Forbidden City, with optional Tiananmen Square, Mutianyu Great Wall, transport, or a private guide. Your passport serves as the entry ticket. Guides including Anson, Andy, Mina, Yoyo, and Selina may assist, while self-guided visits allow up to nine hours.

“Reservation process is super simples and easy. Chinese tour agencies are extremely professional and always opened to help any time. Highly recomend which turnsnthe trip well organized, smooth and easy.”

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Beijing 2-Day Tours: Great Wall, Forbidden City & Top Highlights - Day one: Tiananmen Square and the imperial center
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Beijing 2-Day Tours: Great Wall, Forbidden City & Top Highlights

11.Beijing 2-Day Tours: Great Wall, Forbidden City & Top Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 688 reviews · from $99

This two-day small-group tour covers Beijing’s essential sights with hotel pickup inside the Third Ring Road. An English-speaking guide such as Helen, Rocky, or Tom leads you through Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, old hutongs, Lama Temple, and the Summer Palace. Expect early starts, long days, a buffet lunch, and a group of about 12.

“Very organized and a great way to see Beijing! My husband and I went in November for his birthday. A bit chilly but fun!”

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Private Beijing Walking Tour of the Forbidden City with 7 Options - The Palace Museum and Its Galleries
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Private Beijing Walking Tour of the Forbidden City with 7 Options

12.Private Beijing Walking Tour of the Forbidden City with 7 Options

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 675 reviews · from $75

Spend four to six hours with a private Beijing guide at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Your visit can follow the central palace route or focus on galleries, courtyards, gardens, and imperial details. Guides such as Lily, Cindy, Jason, and May are praised for clear English, patient pacing, and practical help. Some options add transport, Temple of Heaven, or a hutong meal.

“Our travel guide Sherry was good and informative. Of course, there're certain things that are portrayed a bit subjectively, but overall we were satisfied with our guide. And we were able to finish our tour in just 2,5 hours instead of 4 hours.”

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Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven - Starting early from your Beijing hotel
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Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven

13.Beijing Classic Full-Day Tour including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 610 reviews · from $99

This 9-hour Beijing tour links Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace with hotel pickup, transport, entry fees, and a Chinese lunch. Guides such as Jenny, Lee, Mary, Murphy, and Michael have received strong praise for clear explanations and good group care. Expect lots of walking, crowds, and possible shopping stops.

“The day was planned extremely well. Jenny took care of small details meticulously and ensured everyone was enjoying and getting best experience. We covered all important attractions in Beijing in one day. We would highly recommend her tour to all friends and family.”

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Beijing Essential Full-Day Tour including Great Wall at Badaling, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square - Tiananmen Square: a brief look at modern China
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Beijing Essential Full-Day Tour including Great Wall at Badaling, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

14.Beijing Essential Full-Day Tour including Great Wall at Badaling, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 609 reviews · from $99

Cover Beijing’s essential sights in about nine hours with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, lunch, entrance tickets, and air-conditioned transport. You’ll visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Badaling Great Wall, with a Longdi Jade Factory stop on the return. Guides such as Lee, Jenny, Murphy, and Michael Shi have earned praise for clear explanations and attentive help.

“A nice city highlights tour with a friendly guide. I’d have skipped the tea house stop, as I’m not a fan of ‘commercial proposals’, but everything else was excellent. The Great Wall is absolutely breathtaking and unforgettable!”

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Mini Group Discovery Forbidden City Tour with Hotel Pickup option - Meridian Gate and the ceremonial approach
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Mini Group Discovery Forbidden City Tour with Hotel Pickup option

15.Mini Group Discovery Forbidden City Tour with Hotel Pickup option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 512 reviews · from $36

You’ll spend about four hours touring the Forbidden City with a small group of up to 15 people and a professional guide such as Sofia, Lucy, Marco, or Jeffrey. Hotel pickup, admission, and the Antiquarium are included. Expect substantial walking, no hotel drop-off, and a passport check at entry.

“Our tour guide, Sofia, was excellent. She had an amazing amount of knowledge about the Forbidden City and all of the dynasties. I would recommend this tour for anyone looking to visit the Forbidden City and to learn about Chinese history.”

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New in Forbidden City Tours

★ 4.9BusDa-Mutianyu Great Wall&Forbidden City Full-day Coach TourFrom $1511 reviews
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★ 4.2Tianmen Square, Forbidden City Group Walking TourFrom $117 reviews
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★ 5.0Private Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall&Forbidden CityFrom $12210 reviews
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