How to Book Forbidden City Tickets: A Step-by-Step Guide

This is the detailed companion to our main ticket page. Below is the exact official booking flow, the mistakes that trip up first-time foreign visitors, and your options if your date is gone. The fact box above has the current price, hours, and release window.

Book it yourself on the official site

The reliable English-language channel is the Palace Museum’s own website at intl.dpm.org.cn. The WeChat mini-program often rejects overseas phone numbers, so foreign visitors should use the website.

1. Open the official site a day or two early and create an account using your email. Verify the link in your inbox before release night.
2. Add each traveler under your saved visitor or contact list, entering the first name, last name, country, and passport number exactly as printed. You can book for up to 5 people on one passport-holder account.
3. Tickets release 7 days ahead at 20:00 Beijing time, with a daily cap around 40,000 visitors. Log in by 19:55 and have the booking page open.
4. The moment your date activates at 20:00, select it and pick an entry window. Morning windows go first, and in peak season slots can vanish within 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Pay within the on-screen timer, usually about 15 minutes. The site accepts payment through Alipay or WeChat Pay, and you can link an international Visa or Mastercard to either app a couple of days beforehand.
6. On the day, bring the same physical passport you booked with. It is scanned at the gate. No photo or digital copy is accepted, and the palace is closed Mondays.

Common mistakes to avoid

A name or passport number that does not match your document will fail the gate scan, so type carefully. The standard ticket covers the main palace only; the Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery are separate add-ons. There is no ticket window at the door, so do not arrive hoping to buy on site.

If your date is sold out

First, refresh the official site over the following days, since canceled tickets are sometimes re-released. If your dates are fixed and it stays sold out, a guided tour is the dependable backup. Operators hold their own allocation and register your passport for you.

When a guided tour is simply easier

If you would rather not run a 20:00 race in another language, want hotel pickup, or want context as you walk, the vetted options below bundle pre-booked entry with an English-speaking guide.

Sources: Palace Museum official site (intl.dpm.org.cn), China Discovery - How to Book Forbidden City Tickets 2026

Guided tours and skip-the-line options

Frequently asked questions

Do I need my passport to enter the Forbidden City?

Yes. You book the ticket against your passport number and must show the same passport at the entrance. Bring the physical passport, not a photo. Staff check it against your booking at the Meridian Gate, and there are no on-site or same-day sales.

How far in advance should I book Forbidden City tickets?

Tickets are released about 7 days ahead, typically around 8:00 PM Beijing time, and regularly sell out within minutes, especially in summer and on holidays. Book as soon as your date opens, or use a tour that secures entry for you.

Should I choose the morning or afternoon Forbidden City time slot?

Booking is split into a morning slot (roughly 8:30 AM to noon) and an afternoon slot (roughly 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM), and your QR code only admits you during your chosen window. Pick the morning slot for cooler temperatures and a head start before the largest tour groups arrive. Whichever you choose, allow at least three hours inside, since the palace complex is very large.