The Palace Museum one-day tour guide is as follows:
First, ticket reservation
Appointment Time:
Tickets to the Palace Museum, which need to be booked in advance on the “Palace Museum” mini program or public account, are priced at 60 yuan during peak season (April 1 to October 31) and 40 yuan during off-season (November 1 to March 31).
Reservations for the Palace Museum tickets start at 8 PM every night for the next 7 days, and it is recommended to book as early as possible, especially during peak travel seasons and holidays.
Additional ticket:
Watch Hall and treasure Hall need to buy separate tickets, tickets are 10 yuan, can be booked together with the Palace Museum tickets.
If the Palace Museum tickets are sold out, you can try to buy them on site, but it is recommended to arrive early.
Second, opening hours
Opening hours: The Palace Museum is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 17:00 p.m., closing at 16:10 p.m. Closed on Mondays (except public holidays).
Third, traffic guide
Subway:
Take Metro Line 1 to Tian ‘anmen East Station or Tian ‘anmen West Station and walk about 10 minutes to the Meridian Gate entrance of the Forbidden City.
You can also choose to take the subway to Goldfish Hutong station, exit from Exit C and walk to Donghua Gate, and then walk along the city wall to the Meridian Gate ticket gate.
Taxi:
Take a taxi to the intersection of North Chizi Street and South Chizi Street, walk to the Palace Museum Meridian Gate.
Fourth, the tour route
The following is a recommended tour route covering the main attractions of the Palace Museum:
Noon Gate:
The only entrance to the Forbidden City, you can store your luggage here (the storage area is located on the west side of the Meridian Gate).
Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony, Hall of Preserving Harmony:
The main hall group on the central axis of the Forbidden City was the place where the emperor held major ceremonies.
When visiting, you can visit the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony from left to right.
Qianqing Gate, Qianqing Palace, Jiaotai Hall, Palace of Earthly Tranquility:
The emperor’s bedroom and the place where government affairs were conducted.
When visiting, you can enter from the Qianqing gate and visit the Qianqing Palace, Jiaotai Hall and Kun Ning Palace in turn.
Six houses East or west:
The East Six Palaces and the West Six Palaces of the Forbidden City are the residences of the concubines, you can choose one of the areas to visit.
Recommended attractions include Chu Xiu Palace (where Empress Dowager Cixi once lived), Jingren Palace and so on.
Watch Hall and Treasure Hall:
Two special exhibitions in the Palace Museum showcase exquisite clocks and royal jewels.
It is recommended to visit as early as possible to avoid missing the wonderful exhibition.
Imperial Garden:
The imperial garden in the Forbidden City is full of ancient pines and verdant pavilions.
You can take a break here to take photos and feel the charm of the palace garden.
Shenwumen:
The exit of the Palace Museum can be from the Shenwu Gate.
Fifth, precautions
Dress suggestions:
It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as walking is a long distance within the Palace Museum.
It is better to take pictures in Hanfu or full clothes.
Prohibited items:
Lighters, reflectors for photography, tripods, stands and selfie sticks taller than 1.3 meters are prohibited in the palace.
Smoking, touching the exhibits and making loud noises are forbidden in the Forbidden City.
Charging equipment:
Charging in the Forbidden City is not very convenient, it is recommended to carry a charging bank.
Explanation Service:
The Palace Museum provides electronic guide rental service (20 yuan/piece), you can also follow the senior tour guide or visit the tour guide.
Sixth, catering recommendation
Palace Museum Restaurant:
Close to the Palace of Tranquility, it offers Chinese fast food, slightly more expensive than outside, but the taste is good.
Ice Cellar Restaurant:
Located next to Cining Palace, it offers Chinese and Western set menus for about 50 yuan per person.
You can also taste the Forbidden City animal ice lolly.
Afternoon tea:
There are many places in the Palace Museum to provide afternoon tea, such as Kunning East Courtyard afternoon tea, the Palace Museum corner coffee and so on.
Seventh, the surrounding scenic spots
Jingshan Park:
After Shenwu Gate, you can walk to the opposite Jingshan Park (admission fee 2 yuan).
On the Wanchun Pavilion can overlook the entire panorama of the Forbidden City, is a good place to take photos.
Eighth, other recommendations
Planning ahead:
It is recommended to plan the tour route and schedule in advance, so as not to miss the wonderful attractions.
Peak excursion:
If time permits, it is recommended to choose non-tourist peak season or weekday visit to reduce congestion.
Take a photo:
There are many scenic spots and angles worth taking photos of in the Forbidden City, so it is recommended to bring a camera or mobile phone to record the unforgettable journey.
I hope this guide will help you better plan your day trip to the Palace Museum. Have a nice trip!
