There are many historical sites and monuments to see in and around ancient Beijing – the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall to name but a few – but, as by far the largest and most impressive imperial palace in China, the Forbidden City is an absolute must-see for visitors. Furthermore, unlike many other important sites, there are plenty of hotels near the Forbidden City as it is located right in the centre of Beijing, making it easy to combine a visit with a tour of the city if you’re pushed for time.
Dating back to 1420, the palace served for nearly 500 years, from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty, as the home of emperors and their entourages. It is a mammoth 7,800,000 sq ft, consisting of 980 buildings, with close to 9,000 rooms and is a classic example of imperial Chinese architecture. It was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1987 and the organisation lists it as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. The palace also houses a collection of nearly 1 million pieces of art, spanning 5,000 years of Chinese history. Its name is derived from the fact that no-one could enter or leave the palace grounds without the emperor’s permission.
Visitor Information
Open daily all year.
April 1st-October 31st – 8.30-17.00
40 rmb
Last Entry at 16:10
Tickets sold until 16:00
November 1st—March 31 – 8:30—16:30
60 rmb
Last Entry at 15:40
Tickets sold until 15:30
Concessions are available, as are audio guides and English-speaking tour guides.
The Forbidden City is in the centre of Beijing and is accessed via the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Tiananmen Square. Staying in a hotel near Tiananmen Square is recommended to enable you to access most tourist sites easily.
Highlights
The entrance gates – the Gate of Great Harmony and the Meridian Gate (the formal entrance) are both stunning.
The Outer Court – dominated by huge ceremonial halls where the emperors conducted their business. The Hall of Preserving Harmony is the most impressive.
The Inner Court – a series of smaller buildings and gardens where the emperor and his family lived and only they, his concubines and eunuchs were permitted entry to. A pair of beautiful bronze lions flank the entrance, beyond which are stunning palaces and exquisite gardens.
Conservation Efforts
The palace ceased to be the political centre of China in 1912 with the forced abdication of Pui, the last emperor of China, and the Palace Museum was established in the grounds in 1925. The Forbidden City now receives more visitors than any other site in China – 7 million by Government calculations. The site is currently undergoing a massive 16 year renovation which will restore all buildings to their pre-1912 state.
Given its central location, the Forbidden City is easily accessible from all hotels in Beijing and really should not be missed.