Forbidden City Private Tour with Imperial Icehouse Lunch

4.9 (16 reviews) 6 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

16 reviews

4.9

Ice Warehouse of Forbidden City — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Inside of Corner Tower — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

The Forbidden City is listed as the number one must-see in Beijing, which served as the residence of Chinese Ming and Qing emperors for almost 500 years. Go beyond the typical attractions within the City on this comprehensive 6-hour guided tour, which includes access to the Clock Room,Treasure House, living and working places of emperors. In this tour, you will actually get inside some of the buildings in the Forbidden City. Lunch will served in the former Imperial Icehouse inside Forbidden City.

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At a glance

Duration: 6 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–9
Guide: English
Operated by: Wikibeijing

Ages: Adults (3–90 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Experienced and friendly English-speaking guide
Included: All tickets of the Forbidden City
Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off
Included: Lunch with soft drinks/beer in the Imperial Icehouse of the Forbidden City

Itinerary

The Palace Museum

5 hours Admission included

Meet your guide at selected time and start to explore the largest Imperial Palace in the world thoroughly. During this tour, you will also have a very unique lunch experience at one of the Imperial Ice Houses of the Emperor. Those are some of the important places you will see:
Turret of The Palace Museum

Passing by

Part of the defensive construction of the Forbidden city at each corner of the Wall. You will get inside one of them if the Wall is open.
Meridian Gate (Wu Men)

Passing by

South gate and main entrance to the Forbidden City. The emperor used to believe the Meridian Line went right through it.
Hall of Great Harmony (Taihe Dian)

Passing by

The the most important building in the Forbidden City and the largest wooden structure in the world, where the Emperor used to work and hold important ceremonies.
Hall of Preserving Harmony (Baohedian)

Passing by

Used for banquets and later for imperial examinations. The exam was under the supervision of the emperor, which tested candidates’ understanding of classical and Confucian literature. Then they were either assigned to the provinces or selected to work in the central government ministries.
Inner Court

Passing by

It was the place where the emperor used to handle daily affairs and the living quarter for the emperor, empress and imperial concubines.
Palace of Heavenly Purity

Passing by

The largest building in the Inner Court, the residence of the Emperor.
The Antiquarium of The Palace Museum

30 min Admission included

Also known as Treasure Hall, it is actually made of several buildings which were built for the abdicated Emperor Qianlong. Now they are exhibition rooms with several theme halls and the largest imperial theatre in the Forbidden City.
The Nine Dragon Screen of The Palace Museum

Passing by

Just nearby the entrance of Treasure Hall, it is one of the three Nine Dargon Screens in China, the other two are in Beihai Park and Datong respectively. The nine dragons engraved on the screen are different in color and posture. No matter where you start to count the nine dragons, from left or right, the first one and fifth one and ninth one would be a yellow color dragon which represents the supreme power of the emperor.
The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum

Passing by

Rectangular in shape, containing more than 20 different types of buildings, pavilions, terraces, towers and rockeries. Also, there are four pavilions in the garden, symbolizing the four seasons in a year.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Youbo Member Selected Hotel
Sunflower Hotel
Yuanchang Hotel
Yuhui Hotel
Beijing Yizhan Youth Hotel (Yansha Liangmaqiao Subway Station)
Wancheng Huafu International Hotel
Xiudong Hostel
Wuyulong Hotel (Beijing Tiantan South Gate)
Winners Classic Hotel Beijing
Xiyanhe Sixth Hotel
Tianyou Hotel
Yahua Hotel

and 2,396 more pickup points

Guide will contact you one night before departure, either by calling your room or leave a message, to confirm departure time. Guide will meet you in your Beijing hotel lobby.

Using your ticket

Guide will contact you by calling your room or leave a message the night prior to the tour, to confirm the departure time

A current valid passport is required on the day of travel (For the Forbidden City)

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Passport name, number, is required at time of booking for all participants, for buying tickets in advance
Please book this tour several days in advance
We would try to get tickets in advance, if failed, we could also buy your tickets on spot
This involves about 4 hours walking inside the Forbidden City, please wear comfortable shoes