Forbidden City In Depth Small Group Guided Tour with Tickets

5.0 (18 reviews) 3 h 30 min Free cancellation

out of 5

18 reviews

5.0

Forbidden City In Depth Small Group Guided Tour with Tickets — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Forbidden City In Depth Small Group Guided Tour with Tickets, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Step into the timeless Forbidden City on your exclusive in-depth tour. Wander beyond the ordinary central route, discover the rarely-seen Palace Furniture Gallery and quiet royal hidden spots. Immerse yourself in authentic imperial history, enjoy a leisurely, crowd-avoiding sightseeing experience full of unique charm.

The premium choice for discerning travelers: seamless city-to-scenic transfers, expert multilingual guides, and exclusive pure-play experiences across China and Japan.

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At a glance

Duration: 3 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 15 people
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Guide: English
Operated by: Zanbus

Ages: Children (0–5 years) · Adults (6–85 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Admission fees: Palace Museum（Forbidden City）Tickets
Included: Professional English-speaking guidefull accompaniment.
Included: Headset audio guide throughout the tour.

Not included

Not included: Meals
Not included: Gratuities: as your wish for the well done job
Not included: Transportation（Full walking tour）

Itinerary

Donghuamen

9 min Admission included

1. Donghua Gate – Moat Path – Meridian Gate

Gather at Donghua Gate. Walk along the quiet outer moat (Tongzi river) path beside the Forbidden City ancient city wall to reach Meridian Gate. This riverside route avoids crowded main entrances and offers a panoramic view of the Forbidden City's grand outer wall scenery. Finish ticket checking and entry procedures at Meridian Gate.
The Palace Museum

30 min Admission included

2. Forbidden City Furniture Gallery (Exclusive Stop)

Enter the Forbidden City and first visit the Palace Furniture Gallery, a rarely visited hidden boutique spot missed by most regular tour routes. The gallery collects a large number of well-preserved royal hardwood furniture from the Ming and Qing dynasties, including imperial beds, official desks, screen decorations and ceremonial furniture. It fully presents the exquisite craftsmanship, royal aesthetics and luxurious daily life of ancient Chinese imperial families.
3
Gate of Great Harmony (Taihe Men)

one hour Admission included
3. Three Main Halls (Outer Court)

Pass through Taihe Gate and visit the three core landmark halls of the Forbidden City outer court:
- Taihe Hall (Hall of Supreme Harmony)
- Zhonghe Hall (Hall of Central Harmony)
- Baohe Hall (Hall of Preserving Harmony)
Appreciate the highest-standard ancient imperial architecture, solemn ritual layout and centuries-old royal historical heritage.
The Nine Dragon Screen of The Palace Museum

30 min Admission included

4. Treasure Gallery & Nine-Dragon Wall

Exit from Jingyun Gate and head to the famous Palace Museum Treasure Gallery. Walk along the iconic Nine-Dragon Wall, one of China's most famous traditional glazed wall art masterpieces, enjoying precious royal jewels, gold wares and imperial collections.
The Imperial Garden of The Palace Museum

1 h 20 min Admission included

The attractions continues from the Nine Dragon Wall

5. Qianlong Garden

Continue to Qianlong Garden, a private imperial garden built for Emperor Qianlong's retirement.

6. Pavilion of Cheerful Melodies

The largest ancient opera stage in the Forbidden City, built in the Qianlong period. It was the royal theatre for imperial festivals and grand performances, featuring exquisite ancient architectural design and elegant royal artistic style.

7. Hall of Joyful Longevity

A noble imperial hall in the Ningshou Palace area, once the resting palace for retired emperors. It houses precious royal treasures, including the famous Giant Jade of Dayu Flood Control, showing supreme royal craftsmanship.

8. Imperial Concubine Zhen’s Well + East Corridor Path (YIN YANG Alley )

An ancient well with profound historical stories, located in the quiet backyard of the Forbidden City. It witnesses the old palace history and romantic imperial tales, a famous cultural spot full of historical charm.
Forbidden City Tour

1 min Admission included

Why choose ZANBUS Forbidden City （Palace Museum）Tour

Most regular tours only visit the central axis, covering merely the Outer Court and Inner Court for quick sightseeing.

Our in-depth journey is totally different. Apart from the Treasure Gallery and exclusive Palace Furniture Gallery, we specially explore Ningshou Palace, Yangxin Hall, Eastern Palaces and Zhenfei Well.

We discover the hidden royal living areas with professional interpretation, bringing you a genuine, slow and all-round immersive Forbidden City experience.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

From this location, Donghuamen Street, you need to walk west to Donghuamen, the east gate of the Forbidden City. You can check in the fourth and fifth pictures in the product album.Our Team wear blue vests and hold a blue flag with the ZANBUS logo. so you can find them easily and not miss.

End point

After the guided tour, Guests who finish the tour may exit via SHENWU MEN (North Gate). Guests who wish to explore further inside the Forbidden City may continue self-visit freely.

Using your ticket

Palace Museum tickets are fully booked easily in advance, which need to be reserved 7 days ahead officially. If you book the tour only 1-2 days in advance, our staff will assist you with on-site ticket register for entry.