Who was Puyi
Puyi, of the Aisin-Gioro family, was the last emperor of the Qing dynasty. His reign name was Xuantong. He is the last of the 24 emperors who ruled from the Forbidden City, 14 of the Ming and 10 of the Qing.
Many visitors know the name from the film The Last Emperor. This page sticks to the dates and places that the Palace Museum itself records, and it points to the spots in the palace where they apply.
Puyi timeline
The years that are tied to the palace.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1908 | Enthronement in the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihedian) |
| 12 February 1912 | The abdication is declared |
| After 1912 | Puyi may stay in the inner part of the palace |
| December 1922 | Wedding with Wanrong |
| 1924 | Expulsion, in connection with Feng Yuxiang's coup |
| 10 October 1925 | Opening ceremony of the Palace Museum |
Forbidden City tours with a guide
A guide can show you the places linked to Puyi. Compare guided visits and tickets with live prices and availability.
Enthronement and abdication
The start and the end of the reign.
The enthronement in 1908
The museum's biography records the enthronement in 1908 in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. This was the hall for the great state ceremonies such as the enthronement of an emperor, an imperial wedding and the appointment of an empress.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony →The abdication in 1912
The abdication is recorded for 12 February 1912.
Staying on
Abdication did not mean leaving the palace. Puyi was allowed to stay in the inner part, and he lived there until 1924. It is wrong to say he moved out of the palace in 1912.
Wedding, expulsion and the museum
The last years inside the palace.
The wedding in December 1922
The museum dates Puyi's wedding with Wanrong to December 1922. One object tied to it is a gilded entry plaque with the double happiness motif.
The expulsion in 1924
In 1924 Puyi was expelled from the inner palace, in connection with the coup of Feng Yuxiang.
The museum in 1925
After the expulsion the remaining court collections were inventoried. On 10 October 1925 the Palace Museum held its opening ceremony in front of the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqinggong).
Seeing Puyi's palace on a visit
Three places on the route.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony
The first of the three great halls of the outer court. This is where the enthronement of 1908 took place.
The Palace of Heavenly Purity
The first palace of the inner court. The opening ceremony of the museum in 1925 was held in front of it, which makes it a point where the end of the imperial court and the start of the museum meet.
The inner court
The residential part of the palace, behind the great halls. Puyi lived in the inner part after his abdication, until 1924. Some palaces there hold galleries and some are closed for conservation, so check the open areas.
Route through the palace →
Planning a visit to Puyi's places
The rules that decide your day.
Book under your real name
There are no regular day tickets. Reservations open 7 days before the visit at 8 p.m. Beijing time, and foreign visitors use their passport. Bring the same original to the entrance. One document can hold one main ticket per day.
Tickets and reservation →Hours and closed days
The palace opens at 8:30 a.m. The last main entry is 4 p.m. from 1 April to 31 October and 3:30 p.m. from 1 November to 31 March. Monday is a regular closed day, apart from public holidays, and single openings are announced separately.
Opening hours →Price in 2026
An adult ticket costs CNY 60 from 1 April to 31 October and CNY 40 from 1 November to 31 March. The extra galleries cost CNY 10 each.
Allow time for the security check at the Meridian Gate before you start. The rest of the walk follows the order of the route page.
The last emperor: frequently asked questions
Who was the last emperor of China?
Puyi, of the Aisin-Gioro family, the last emperor of the Qing dynasty. His reign name was Xuantong.
When did Puyi abdicate?
On 12 February 1912, according to the museum's biography. He was enthroned in 1908.
Did Puyi leave the Forbidden City in 1912?
No. He was first allowed to stay in the inner part of the palace. He was expelled in 1924, in connection with the coup of Feng Yuxiang.
When did Puyi marry?
The museum dates the wedding with Wanrong to December 1922.
Can I see where the museum began?
Yes. The Palace Museum held its opening ceremony on 10 October 1925 in front of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, which is part of the inner court on the route.