Forbidden City Ticket Price 2026: Official Fees and Add-ons
Forbidden City ticket price for 2026: official CNY 60 peak and CNY 40 low-season admission, CNY 10 add-on galleries, booking window, and passport rules.
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Forbidden City (Palace Museum): the essentials
- Ticket price
- CNY 40 off-peak, CNY 60 peak
- Opening hours
- 8:30-17:00 (Apr-Oct), 8:30-16:30 (Nov-Mar); last entry about one hour before close
- Closed
- Monday (except public holidays)
- Booking window
- No same-day or walk-up tickets. Tickets open from 20:00 Beijing time, 7 days before the visit, and often sell out fast.
- ID needed
- Real-name reservation. Foreign visitors use passport or eligible travel-document details and must bring the original document to scan at the Meridian Gate.
The official Forbidden City ticket price in 2026 is simple: CNY 60 from April 1 to October 31 and CNY 40 from November 1 to March 31. The Treasure Gallery and Gallery of Clocks each cost CNY 10 extra. The harder part is not the price. It is securing a real-name reservation before your date sells out.
For the booking walkthrough, use how to book Forbidden City tickets. For the broader decision on DIY versus guided entry, start with the main Forbidden City tickets guide.
Official 2026 price table
| Ticket or add-on | Official price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General admission, high season | CNY 60 | April 1 to October 31 |
| General admission, low season | CNY 40 | November 1 to March 31 |
| Treasure Gallery | CNY 10 | Separate from general admission |
| Gallery of Clocks | CNY 10 | Separate from general admission |
The Palace Museum also lists discounts and free-entry categories for children, students, seniors, visitors with disabilities, and some special dates. If you qualify, still expect a real-name reservation and bring the original document used for booking.
What general admission includes
General admission covers the main palace route from the Meridian Gate in the south to the Gate of Divine Prowess in the north. This is enough for a first visit if you have three to four hours and mainly want the central halls, courtyards, and imperial architecture.
The Treasure Gallery and Gallery of Clocks are separate because they sit inside ticketed sub-areas. Add them if you have four hours or more, are visiting in a cooler season, or care about collection highlights. Skip them if this is a hot summer afternoon and you are mainly trying to see the big palace axis without rushing.
Opening hours and last entry
Peak season opening hours are 8:30 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:00. Low season hours are 8:30 to 16:30, with last entry at 15:30. The museum is normally closed on Mondays except national holidays, and it can adjust hours for major events or holidays.
Because there are no same-day tickets, do not plan around the posted last entry unless you already have a confirmed reservation. If you need a fixed Beijing day, book the Forbidden City first and fit Tiananmen Square, Jingshan Park, hutongs, or other Beijing sights around it.
Booking window and passport rule
Tickets open from 20:00 Beijing time, 7 days before the visit. Foreign visitors need passport or eligible travel-document details, and the same original document must be brought to the Meridian Gate for check-in. The Palace Museum says international visitors can reserve by emailing bookingticket [at] dpm.org.cn with full name, passport number, intended visit date, and contact details at least one calendar day before the visit.
If you see a reseller or tour page that says “Forbidden City view” or “outside the palace,” read carefully. That may mean the route does not include actual palace admission. A proper guided option should clearly say that Forbidden City entry is included and that your passport details will be registered.
When paying more makes sense
The official ticket itself is cheap. Paying for a guided tour only makes sense when it solves a real problem: your date is fixed, the official allocation is gone, you want an English guide, or you want someone else to handle the real-name entry paperwork.
If your date is already unavailable, read Forbidden City tickets sold out before choosing a fallback. If you are booking a wider Beijing day, compare guide options below and check that the listing includes genuine palace entry.
Guided tours and skip-the-line options
Forbidden City Half-Day Small Group Tour with Pre-Booked Entry
- Pre-booked entry ticket (passport registration handled)
- English-speaking guide
- Small group, max 15 people
- Tiananmen Square walk-through
Skip-the-Line Private Forbidden City Walking Tour
- Pre-booked entry ticket
- Private English-speaking guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Flexible itinerary for your group only
Frequently asked questions
- How much are Forbidden City tickets in 2026?
- The official general admission price is CNY 60 from April 1 to October 31 and CNY 40 from November 1 to March 31. The Treasure Gallery and Gallery of Clocks each cost CNY 10 extra. Discounts and free-entry categories still require a real-name reservation, so confirm eligibility on the Palace Museum official ticket page before booking.
- Does the Forbidden City ticket include the Treasure Gallery and Gallery of Clocks?
- No. The standard Forbidden City ticket covers the main palace route, while the Treasure Gallery and Gallery of Clocks are separate CNY 10 add-ons. Add them if you have enough time and interest in the collections; skip them if you only have three hours for the main palace.
- Can I buy Forbidden City tickets on the same day?
- No. The Palace Museum says same-day tickets are not sold. All visitors need a real-name reservation in advance, and non-Chinese mainland visitors must bring the original passport or eligible travel document used for booking.