It can be super difficult to buy tickets online for the Forbidden City. Even if you remember to plan in advance. After all, the Forbidden City is one of Beijing’s top attractions. If you want to buy tickets for the Forbidden City, but tickets are sold out online, there’s a little passport-privilege trick you can use. Foreigners can now simply walk up to the ticket office near Donghuamen Gate and buy a ticket with their passport.
How To Buy Tickets for the Forbidden City
Buying tickets for the Forbidden City is no easy feat. But there are some little tips and tricks you can use to make it easier.
Book on the Official Website
The best way to visit the Forbidden City is of course to plan ahead. You also need some luck to get a ticket using the official ticketing website for the Forbidden City. If online payment doesn’t work for this website, it may be easier to book via ticketing agents. I mostly use operators like GetYourGuide or Klook. Note that the Forbidden City is officially called the Palace Museum to make your search easier.
Make a Reservation to Tiananmen Square
If you plan to visit Tiananmen Square and remember to book a ticket in advance, this can be your gateway for entrance to the Forbidden City. Tiananmen Square is free, but it’s essential to make a reservation one day in advance. The website is in Chinese, but that’s nothing a translation app can’t solve. You can then access the Forbidden City ticket office directly, without backtracking through Donghuamen Gate.
Go Directly to Donghuamen Gate
If none of the other methods worked, you have one more ace up your sleeve: your foreign passport. As a foreigner, you can now simply walk through Donghuamen Gate and get your tickets at the ticket office. This ticketing area is easily identifiable by the crowds 🙂 Getting to Donghuamen Gate is also where you’ll need to walk against the crowds. But it’s worth it if it means getting to enter the Forbidden City after all. The closest subway station is Tiananmen East.
Tips for Visiting the Forbidden City
- Bring your passport!
- The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays. Pro tip: Also avoid weekends and holidays due to crowds if your schedule allows.
- On the form you fill out at the ticketing booth, do NOT tick that you’re visiting with a tour group. They’ll not give you a ticket.
- Have your China eSIM ready to navigate through Beijing without getting lost.
Digital nomad essentials for life on the road
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Flights
I normally book my flights via Skyscanner or Kiwi. These search engines for flights show all the best connections and even include budget airlines for transfer hacks that can save you even more money.
Hotels
I normally use a good mixture of booking.com and Agoda to get the best deals. I like booking for its user-friendly interface. But for Asia, I’ve found that Agoda has a wider selection of hotels.
If you’re on a budget, Hostelworld will be your best bet because they focus on dormitory-style accommodation.
Tours
GetYourGuide is perfect for locally guided tours or if tickets are already booked. I saw the famous Last Supper painting by Leonardo Da Vinci with them in Milan and had a very smooth experience.
Klook is a great option to book bus tickets in South Korea. This can be such a hassle, especially if you want to book before you actually get to the country. Klook allows you to book a bus ticket online for pickup at the station. You can also reserve SIM card packages with them an arrange airport pickup, with is super convenient because it’s already paid for.
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