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

Join our 4-hour group tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City to explore the rich history, culture, and architecture of these iconic landmarks. Learn fascinating stories and gain insight into Chinese culture while visiting major buildings and courtyards. Limited to 10 people for a personalized experience. Entrance fees included.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Beijing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall - Please note: You must bring an actual passport for this tour. This tour offers 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 times: 8:00am and 1:00pm
Meeting point: In front of Donghuamen (East gate of the Forbidden City)

Itinerary: Option 1: Forbidden City Tour with Tian’anmen Square
Meet your group in front of Beijing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, then follow your tour guide through the travel agency passage to enter Tian’anmen Square (It may close at any time by the government, in which case everyone will have to wait in line).

  • Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang) - Tiananmen Square is the geographical center of Beijing City. It is the largest city square in the world, covering an area of 440,000 square meters (about 109 acres). Your expert and professional guide will provide a very informative introduction to Tian’anmen Square and the surrounding buildings as the group moves towards the Forbidden City.

  • Forbidden City-The Palace Museum - Once inside the Forbidden City, your guide will find a quiet sitting area and introduce you to the palace, immersing you in the history of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. People often say that when visiting the 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 for “Story time” to gain insight into the fascinating culture. This detailed tour of the Forbidden City also includes visits to important museums to discover treasures from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

  • Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian) - You will visit important buildings such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony.

  • Palace of Heavenly Purity - Then continue to explore the living quarters in the palace: Hall of Union, Hall of Heavenly Purity, and Hall of Earthly Tranquillity.

  • Hall of Great Harmony (Taihe Dian) - You’ll pass by 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 handled state affairs.

  • The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum - Your tour will end at the Imperial Garden in the north, where you can decide to explore more of the Palace on your own or head to the next destination. Your guide will offer suggestions on where to go and how to get there.
  • Jingshan Park (Jingshan Gongyuan) - If you choose option 2, after the Forbidden City, dive into Beijing’s rich history with a short hike in Jingshan Park. Climb to the summit of Jingshan Hill with your tour guide and enjoy panoramic views of Beijing’s cityscape, including an unparalleled view of the Forbidden City. For option 2, your tour will end here.
What's Included
  • Entry ticket to Coal Hill Park (if chosen)
  • Professional guide
  • Forbidden City entrance fee
  • Entry ticket to Tian’anmen Square (if chosen)
What's 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
Additional Information

This tour is perfect for people who love history, culture, architecture, and museums. People always say: when visiting the Forbidden City, 70% is to learn the stories and 30% is to see the palace. During this 4-hour walking tour, you will stop at different locations for “Story time” and gain an insightful view of the fascinating culture. You will visit major buildings and courtyards. Group size is limited to 10 people to ensure more personalized attention from your guide. Entrance fees are included. The meeting point is in front of the Beijing Urban Planning Exhibition Center.

  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Your passport name and number are required at time of booking (for all participants)
  • Please don’t forget to bring your passport, you may be refused entry without it.
  • 0-3 Years old infant is free, children have to purchase tickets as well
  • Tian’anmen Square might close without advance notice due to government activity, if this happens you will skip the Square
  • Tour departs punctually. Please arrive 10 minutes early. Once the tour left, you are unable to join the tour, and this tour is not refundable.
  • This tour is not recommended for travelers with physical/visual impairments or mobility restrictions due to varied terrain (underground passages, stairs) and the length of the tour. Please note that this tour covers 4 hours of walking.
  • This tour is not recommended for travelers with physical/visual impairments or mobility restrictions due to varied terrain (underground passages, stairs) and the length of the tour. Please note that this tour covers 4 hours of walking.
Location
Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall
Qian Men Dong Da Jie
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(540 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
P4361tanathalief
Aug 12, 2024
Great Experience with Kevin - The tour with Kevin was amazing. Kevin waited for me even when the traffic was really bad, and updated me on the location so I could still join. I am very thankful for that. Don’t do the same mistake as I did and underestimate the traffic around the Forbidden City! Kevin gave us a lot of interesting information and he was very kind and patient. Would definitely join another tour with Kevin in the future!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shaun_l
Aug 12, 2024
Vivian was an amazing... - Vivian was an amazing guide! Highly recommend. Incredibly knowledgeable about the Forbidden City and Chinese history
Review provided by Viator
Monica_i
Aug 11, 2024
Good tour. Smooth purchase. - Nice tour for half a day. It gives enough information without you having to waste a full day on the same activity. The tour lady Susan was very kind and knowledgeable. Easy to locate the meeting point. No issues at all.
Review provided by Viator
Wanting_c
Aug 11, 2024
Wonderful tour guide - Jack is such a wonderful tour guide, sharing with us the history and fun facts about the palace! Despite the hot summer sun, still making it a very fruitful tour. *even shared us some recommendations for after tour visits
Review provided by Viator
Sneha_s
Aug 10, 2024
Excellent tour and guide - Lucy was an amazing tour guide ..provided very good information and interesting stories ..she went out of her way to help us and even dropped us to the metro station in pouring rain
Review provided by Viator
Elena_s
Aug 8, 2024
Must-Do in Beijing - The tour was very well organized and we were very comfortable despite big crowds of tourists and heat. Mike is an excellent guide, he provides very interesting information and takes care of all members of the group. Thank you!
Review provided by Viator
Patrick_m
Aug 8, 2024
Tiananmen square and forbidden city tour 2024 - We really enjoyed the tour. The group consisted of upto fourteen people and everyone received a Bluetooth earpiece. So you could enjoy the scenery and take photos, whilst listening to Jason telling you the historial facts of Tiananmen square and the forbidden city. The advantage of a organised tour is the fast track system to beat the very long Ques and the benefit of local and historical knowledge. Jason is a very friendly and experienced tour guide and will ensure you will get the best out of your Beijing visit. I would recommend him 100%
Review provided by Viator
Inspire65807930112
Aug 8, 2024
Forbidden City Beijing Tours - We went on the 4-hour Forbidden City tour at 13:00. The person who attended us a 10/10, at all times there was fluid communication, from a day before the event has already written to us explaining in detail the meeting point, even with the names in Chinese for in case of arriving by taxi we would have no problem. On the site he told us about the history, details and anecdotes related to the Forbidden City, he was always in the care of the whole group. Reliable answers and a very pleasant and friendly attitude. My family and I were very satisfied! I recommend it 100%
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kuanhoongp
Aug 11, 2024
Eye Opener Experience - Overall it was a good experience but the weather was too hot and too crowded as it was school holidays in China. Our tour guide Mike was very good as he slowly explained all the important historical information of the Forbidden City.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alok_a
Aug 10, 2024
Great Tour - small group - Trip is good and is as advertised. They have small group 8-10 people with one guide. Guide was nice and answered all questions. Few things - Prefer to do the trip without Tianman Square. It took almost 2 hours there a LOT of walking and something that you can cover yourself (there are no tickets required). Tickets for Forbidden city itself is only 60 Yuan.
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1
Adult
September 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today