Visit the Forbidden City of Beijing: tickets, prices, schedules

Desirous of leaving in China, the Middle Empire? So don’t miss discovering the fascinating Forbidden City, a UNESCO-listed historical wonder since 1987!

The Forbidden City is the name usually given to the imperial palace of Beijing, a gigantic building built over 600 years ago. It is, with the Great Wall of China , the most visited tourist point of interest in the country! This gigantic space is the largest palace in the world and, due to the size of the place, it is necessary to organize itself to visit the forbidden City in Beijing so as not to exhaust itself unnecessarily in this demential space.

So we have prepared you a travel guide to the small onions containing all the necessary practical information: a quick history, the major attractions of this high place of Chinese culture, as well as the access to favor, the timetables and the prices: then, will we visit the Forbidden City in Beijing?

History of the Forbidden City of Beijing

At the beginning of the 15th century, the reigning emperor Yongle , from the Ming Dynasty, decided to move the capital, then located to Nanjing in Beijing (Pekin, French). It was therefore necessary to create a palace to the extent of its power: the construction of the Forbidden City began in 1406 and ended less than fifteen years later, which, for the time, constitutes an unprecedented turn of force! More than two hundred thousand workers participated in the construction of this monumental palatial complex, still the largest in the world: it extends over 72 hectares, measures 960 meters long for 750 wide, and is surrounded by a wall of nearly 10 meters high sheltering pavilions, temples, palaces and gardens. Mostly built in wood, the materials moved from the four corners of the empire and their assembly demonstrated impressive architectural know-how.

In the course of its history, the Forbidden City – whose access was extremely regulated and that the common mortals could not approach and look under any pretext, from which its name will be destroyed and rebuilt on many occasions: most of the visible buildings currently date from the 18th century. It was the place of life of twenty emperors of the Ming Dynasty and Qing between 1420 and 1924, until Puyi , the last emperor, is chased after a putsch: from then on she opened her doors to the Chinese public and allowed her to visit the forbidden City in Beijing, this space prohibited for 500 years, and renamed "Gugong Bówùyuàn", which means "Museum of the Palace" in Chinese.

What to see and do at the Forbidden City of Beijing?

The Forbidden City has 980 buildings with many relics typical of Chinese civilization. Amusing anecdote: At any time, we counted in the Forbidden City 9999 rooms, because only the deities could afford to build buildings with more than 10,000 rooms! In fact, this number was inflated and since a 1973 study, there has been a total of just over 8,700 pieces - which is already colossal, of course.

These include historical collections and exciting legends that it will be possible to discover throughout your on-site journey! In fact, the six palaces located exactly on the central axis are the most important and therefore, the most popular tourists, who visit only these before completing their visit by the imperial garden in the north. These palaces contain exhibitions highlighting the imperial daily life: let's celebrate the Culta Palace of the Ancestrians and its gallery of the Clocks, the gallery of the Bronzes in the Palace of the Celestial Grace, the splendid porcelain and ceramics having found place in the Palace of the Literary Glory or the paintings and calligraphy of the palace of the Military Prowes!

Some places, less frequented, are also worth a visit when you come to visit the Forbidden City in Beijing, like the emperor’s room in the Palace of the Spirit’s Food, or the Palace of the Beloving Tranquillity which sheltered.. We also note the presence of the Pavilion of the literary depth, where, as its name suggests, the imperial library, and which stands out as the only building of the complex covered with green tiles.

How to visit the Forbidden City of Beijing?

Despite the size of the city, gigantic, it is easy to come to visit the Forbidden City in Beijing: the place is located exactly in the heart of the metropolis, right in the city center. Although several doors give access to the Forbidden City, we recommend you enter this unique site by the monumental place Tian An Men , just in front of the Forbidden City in Beijing, accessible via metro Tian An Men West or Tian An Men East; but also in taxi , still very affordable and sweating in the city!

Schedules & Rates of the Forbidden City of Beijing

HORARI

It is possible to visit the Forbidden City in Beijing 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April to October, and 8:30 to 16:30 between November and March, except Monday or Palace is closed. In the event of a visit during the summer season, we advise you to start your visit as soon as the site is open: there will be less people, on the one hand, and high temperatures in Beijing during the season will be more bearable!

RATES

On the fare side, entry is extremely affordable given the cultural importance of the place: from November to March, it will cost you 40 yuan, 5,30 € . And from April to October, 60 yuan, a little less 8 € ! An audioguide will be available for 40 yuan to allow you to properly understand the place and not miss your passage when you come to visit the forbidden City in Beijing.