Beijing: Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square Tickets

Two Centuries of Power, One Morning: Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square

You get timed entry to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square without standing in the morning queue. Your passport number secures the ticket to your chosen date and time slot. The booking is final (pick your day knowing you won't get a refund or reschedule), but that's what guarantees your spot when thousands of others are turned away.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Forbidden City2h · entry included
2. Tiananmen Square30m · entry included

Visit Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

• Enter the Forbidden City
• Explore the Palace Museum
• Walk through Tiananmen Square

The experience

The courtyards fill fast. By mid-morning, the Forbidden City's narrow passages between crimson walls turn into a slow shuffle of bodies, and Tiananmen Square, over 100 acres of it, becomes a sea of tour groups. Buying your ticket in advance means you pick the hour, not the crowd. You arrive at your chosen time, passport in hand, and walk straight through while others wait in the entry queue.

The Forbidden City sits at the center of Beijing, exactly where it has for 600 years. Built between 1406 and 1420, it held 24 emperors and their families across five centuries: the ceremonial heart of imperial China when the Ming and Qing dynasties ruled. The Palace Museum inside now holds what remains of that collection: furniture, scrolls, porcelain, the physical evidence of how an imperial court actually lived. You move through the courtyards at your own pace, no guide narrating, no schedule pushing you forward. The architecture does the talking: the scale of the halls, the precision of the tile work, the way each courtyard opens onto another one, each more private than the last.

Tiananmen Square is a different kind of monument. It's where Chairman Mao declared the founding of the People's Republic in 1949, and it sits directly south of the Forbidden City: the symbolic weight of that proximity is not accidental. The square itself is vast enough that you can stand in the middle and feel the space around you. It's a place where history changed direction, and the geography makes that visible. Your ticket gives you entry to both, but the timing matters: the square gets busy after 8am and again around lunch and dinner hours. The advance booking lets you choose the window that works for you, which is the only real advantage when you're moving through spaces this large and this crowded.

When you book, you'll need to provide your name and passport number. The tickets are tied to your documents, so double-check those details before you confirm. The travel date can't be changed after booking because the online tickets sell out quickly, so pick your day carefully. If you run into any issues with the ticket itself, the provider responds faster on WhatsApp than email.

What’s included

• Your day includes timed entry to the Forbidden City (if selected), Tiananmen Square (if selected), or both attractions together.
• The booking service charge is included in the price.
• You receive the entrance ticket only: no guide, no transport, no meals.
• Bring your passport to match the ticket.

Options for this experience

9 options

Ticket for the square during the day24 departure times: the first at 05:30, the last at 17:00About the ticket: The Tiananmen Square daytime ticket allows entry from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm. Pickup is included.

Flag-lowering ceremony at the square8 departure times: the first at 17:00, the last at 20:30About the ticket: The Tiananmen Square national flag ceremony takes place every evening from 5:23 pm to 7:23 pm. Pickup is included.

Square Flag-Raising Ceremony04:00, 04:30, 05:00 and 05:30About the ticket: You need to arrive early, by 5:00–5:30 am. Many people go 1–2 hours in advance to get a good view. Pickup is included.

See 6 more options

Afternoon ticket only10 departure times: the first at 11:00, the last at 15:30About the afternoon ticket: The afternoon Forbidden City ticket allows entry between 11:00 and 15:30, but you can stay inside until 17:00. Pickup is included.

Morning ticket only8 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 12:00About the morning ticket: The morning Forbidden City ticket allows entry between 8:30 am and 12:00 pm, but you can stay inside until 17:00. Pickup is included.

Afternoon ticket and Jingshan10 departure times: the first at 11:00, the last at 15:30About Jingshan Park: Jingshan Park, also called Coal Hill, offers a bird's-eye view of the Forbidden City. About the ticket: Choose this option to book the afternoon Forbidden City ticket (11:00–15:30) and Jingshan Park ticket (12:00–19:30). Pickup is included.

Afternoon ticket and Tiananmen10 departure times: the first at 11:00, the last at 15:30About the ticket: Choose this option to book the afternoon Forbidden City ticket (11:00–15:30) and Tiananmen Square ticket (5:00–17:00). Pickup is included.

Morning ticket and Tiananmen8 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 12:00About the ticket: Choose this option to book the morning Forbidden City ticket (8:30–12:00) and Tiananmen Square ticket (5:00–17:00). Pickup is included.

Morning ticket and Jingshan Park8 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 12:00About Jingshan Park: Jingshan Park, also called Coal Hill, offers a bird's-eye view of the Forbidden City. About the ticket: Choose this option to book the morning Forbidden City ticket (8:30–12:00) and Jingshan Park ticket (6:00–20:00). Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day34 departure times: the first at 04:00, the last at 20:30

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (19 to 59 years) · Child (6 to 18 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 15

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by happychinatours

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to skip the entry line and choose their own time slot, especially if you're visiting during peak season or prefer to explore at your own pace without a guide.

Traveler reviews

4.11★★★★★★★★★★

9 verified traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 18 years); Infant (under 6): free.

Can I change my ticket date after booking?

No. The travel date is fixed after booking because online tickets sell out quickly. Choose your day carefully before confirming.

What time should I arrive?

You pick your entry time when you book. The square gets busy after 8am and around lunch and dinner hours, so earlier slots tend to be less crowded.

What do I need to bring?

Your passport. The ticket is tied to your passport number, so bring the same document you used when booking.

Is this a guided tour?

No. You get the entrance ticket only. You move through the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square on your own. No guide is included.

Are both attractions included in one ticket?

You can buy a ticket for the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, or both together. Choose the option you want when booking.

What if I have a problem with my ticket?

Contact the provider via WhatsApp. They respond faster than email. Have your booking confirmation and passport number ready.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square are wheelchair accessible. Strollers are also permitted for infants and small children.

How long should I spend at each place?

That's up to you. Your timed entry guarantees admission at your chosen hour, but there's no time limit once you're inside.