Forbidden City Beijing Tickets: Direct Entry via Wumen Gate

Walk straight through Wumen Gate with your e-ticket, no line at the entrance

You book your Forbidden City tickets online before arrival, link them to your passport, and enter directly at Wumen Gate without waiting in Beijing's daily queues. The palace spans 725,000 square meters with over 8,700 rooms to explore at your own pace. Add Tiananmen Square entry to your booking so you can visit both without needing separate permits. Everything is wheelchair accessible, and public transport runs nearby.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

• Pre-book Forbidden City tickets
• Book Tiananmen Square entry permit
• Use passport for Wumen Gate entry
• Enter Forbidden City

The experience

There's something about walking toward the Wumen Gate knowing your ticket is already waiting: no scrambling through crowds, no wondering if today's sold out, just the gate and you and 725,000 square meters of palace ahead. That's what pre-booking the Forbidden City does. You link your passport to the e-ticket system before you arrive, show up with your ID, and walk straight through while other visitors are still figuring out where the queue starts. It sounds small until you're standing there at nine in the morning and the crowds haven't hit yet.

The Forbidden City itself is massive: built starting in 1406, it took fourteen years to finish, and it holds 8,704 rooms across a space that stretches 961 meters north to south. It's the largest imperial residence still standing in China, and in 1987 UNESCO recognized it as a world cultural legacy. Walking through it without the noise and pressure of a same-day ticket line changes how you actually see it. You move at your own pace, stop where something catches your eye, linger in courtyards instead of getting pushed along. The palace was home to Ming emperors and their courts (the architecture, the scale, the way light moves through the gateways). It all makes more sense when you're not stressed about entry.

One thing to know: if you want to visit Tiananmen Square as well, you'll need to book entry there too. The square sits just south of the Forbidden City, and without the proper permit, police won't let you in. So if you're planning to see both (and most people do) add the Tiananmen Square entry when you book your Forbidden City tickets. It takes the logistics off your hands and means you can move between the two without stopping to figure out permits or permissions.

What’s included

• Your booking includes Forbidden City admission tickets linked to your passport for direct entry at Wumen Gate.
• You can add Tiananmen Square entry to the same reservation.
• Both sites are wheelchair accessible, and public transport stops are within walking distance.

Options for this experience

4 options

Afternoon ticket for the Forbidden City11:00Afternoon session from 11:00 to 16:00

Morning ticket for the Forbidden City08:30Morning session, 08:30 to 12:00: tickets must be checked by 12:00 (noon).

Morning ticket and Tian'anmen Square08:30Morning session, 08:30 to 12:00: tickets must be checked by 12:00 (noon).

Afternoon ticket plus Tian'anmen Square11:00Afternoon session from 11:00 to 16:00

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

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDepartures at 08:30 and 11:00

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (6 to 17 years) · Infant (under 6): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by China Pleasure Tour Co,. Ltd.

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to avoid Beijing's entry-day queues and move through the Forbidden City without time pressure: pre-booking is what makes that possible, since it guarantees your spot and lets you skip the line.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 17 years); Infant (under 6): free.

Do I need to book Forbidden City tickets in advance?

Pre-booking is strongly recommended, especially during peak season. It lets you skip the daily queue and guarantees entry on your chosen date.

How do I use my pre-booked e-ticket?

Show your passport at the Wumen Gate entrance. Your passport is linked to the e-ticket system, so staff can verify your booking and let you through.

Can I visit Tiananmen Square without a permit?

No. Police require an entry permit for Tiananmen Square. Book it when you reserve your Forbidden City tickets to avoid being turned away.

How long does it take to walk through the Forbidden City?

Most visitors spend 2 to 4 hours inside, depending on how many rooms and courtyards they explore. There's no set route, so you move at your own pace.

Is the Forbidden City wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and public transportation options are available nearby.

Can residents of mainland China book these tickets?

No. These tickets are not available for residents of mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau.