Forbidden City

5.0

Address

4 Jing Shan Qian Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100009

Website

https://www.dpm.org.cn/Home.html

Telephone

400 950 1925

Fun Facts

1. The Forbidden City, known as 故宫 in Chinese, is the world's largest palace complex with over 980 buildings covering 180 acres.
2. Despite its name, it's not actually forbidden. The name 'Forbidden City' originates from the idea that no one could enter or leave the palace without the emperor's permission.
3. It holds the record for having the most collected ancient wooden structures globally, offering a window into China's history and architecture.
4. The City is home to the Palace Museum, which showcases over 1 million artifacts, including the Ming and Qing dynasties' cultural and historical artifacts.
5. Local legend says the Forbidden City has exactly 9,999.5 rooms - the half-room symbolizing humility, as it's just short of the 'perfect' number 10,000.

Tips

1. Entertainment and Popular Spots: Begin your visit with the Gate of Heavenly Purity, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and the Hall of Medium Harmony. Visit the Palace Garden for a break from hefty architecture structures. Don't miss the Imperial Garden, the Clock and Watch Gallery, and the Treasure Gallery.

2. Money-saving Tips: Opt for a guided tour or audio guide to fully appreciate the history without hiring personal tour guides which may get costly. Also, purchasing your tickets online may save you a small amount.

3. Dining: There aren't many dining options within the Forbidden City, but Jingshan Park nearby has several food stalls. Another great option is TRB Forbidden City which not only offers fine dining but also a great view of the Forbidden City.

4. Best Times to Visit: The Forbidden City is less crowded during weekdays and in late fall or early spring. It can get incredibly hot and crowded in the summer, so try to avoid these months if possible.

5. Itinerary Planning: Allocate at least half a day to explore the Forbidden City thoroughly. Check the times of special exhibitions and plan your route to make sure you see the areas that interest you the most. Entrance is from the South Gate and exit from the North Gate so plan accordingly.

Reviews

1) Positive Review: One customer highlighted the Beijing's Forbidden City (故宫) for its overwhelming beauty and rich history. They appreciated the meticulous preservation of traditional architecture and artifacts, and recommended the audioguide for an indepth understanding of the Chinese culture and history.

2) Positive Review: Another reviewer was impressed by the sheer scale of the Forbidden City. They found the environment serene and the grounds well maintained with artistic sculptures and gardens. The palatial museum exceeded their expectations and offered an unforgettable memory.

3) Constructive Feedback: A visitor mentioned that while the Forbidden City was historically fascinating, it can be quite crowded which hampered the experience to some extent. They suggested visiting early or late in the day to avoid large groups, and wished for an improved ticketing system to better manage crowd flow.

Nearby POI

Google Map

The Palace Museum

AI

Tiananmen Square: Monumental city square known for the Tiananmen Tower, Monument to the People's Heroes & Great Hall of the People.
The Forbidden City: Enormous palace complex featuring exhibits on relics, calligraphy, and more with surrounding garden and ceremonial halls.
Temple of Heaven: Historic complex of religious buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing, renowned for its beautiful circular mound altar.
Summer Palace: Iconic lakeside garden offering an imperial summer retreat with palaces, temples & historic sites.
Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest): Iconic Olympic complex known for its 'bird's nest' architectural design & a surrounding park.
Jingshan Park: Imperial park with panoramic city view, flowers, pavilions & a 14th-century artificial hill.
Hutong: Traditional narrow streets or alleys, commonly associated with northern Chinese cities, most prominently Beijing.
Nanluoguxiang: Renowned for its alleyways (hutong) filled with shops, restaurants, bars and traditional residences (siheyuan).
Beijing Zoo: Comprehensive zoological garden housing thousands of species, including a great number of rare animals.
Wangfujing Street: Famous shopping street known for its designer brands, Chinese department stores & large Beijing foreign language bookstore.