Forbidden City ticket prices 2026 at a glance
The adult main ticket costs CNY 60 from 1 April to 31 October and CNY 40 from 1 November to 31 March. Prices are as listed in 2026. The Treasure Gallery and the Clock Gallery are separate galleries with a ticket of CNY 10 each, on top of the main ticket.
An adult who wants both galleries pays CNY 80 in the high season and CNY 60 in the low season. That is our own addition, not a combined product.
The museum states that it has no regular day tickets. Every visitor needs a booking in their own name, plus the original ID used for the booking. For foreign visitors that means the passport, and the entrance is the Meridian Gate only.
Who pays full price and who pays less
Prices follow the museum's tariff in 2026. Bring the original proof for any reduced rate.
| Visitor | April to October | November to March | Extra galleries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | CNY 60 | CNY 40 | CNY 10 each |
| Students from 18, up to Bachelor level | CNY 20 | CNY 20 | CNY 5 each |
| Visitors aged 60 and over | CNY 30 | CNY 20 | CNY 5 each |
| Under 18, Chinese citizens and foreign minors with permanent residence in China | Free | Free | Free |
| People with a disability | Free with proof | Free with proof | – |
Students need a valid student card or a school or university certificate. Adult education and postgraduate students do not qualify. Seniors need a valid original ID. The free rate for minors is described for the groups named in the table, so do not assume that every foreign child enters free. Check the child rate on the booking page for your own case before you travel.
How the passport reservation works
Booking for a visit day opens 7 days earlier at 20:00 Beijing time. The same system covers the main ticket, the Treasure Gallery, the Clock Gallery and exhibitions that need a booking. Everyone must be registered, including children, free-entry visitors and companions.
The museum names its own WeChat mini program and its own website as booking channels. Its international visit page links to the booking site. Because the date opens only 7 days ahead, plan the day you want and set a reminder for 20:00 Beijing time.
What is tied to the ticket
- One main ticket per document and visit day.
- Name, date, ticket type and time window cannot be changed after purchase.
- Morning bookings must check in by 12:00. Afternoon bookings can check in from 11:00.
- The last-entry time of the season still applies. See the opening hours.
Cancelling and missed bookings
You can cancel an unused ticket until 24:00 on the day before your visit without a penalty. A later cancellation counts as a missed reservation. Three missed reservations within 180 days lead to a 60-day booking ban.
Our picks: tickets with or without a guide
Entry to the palace works by real-name reservation with your passport. All three options include the Forbidden City ticket.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Central axis and Treasure Gallery with a guide
Three hours with an English-speaking guide, with the Forbidden City and Treasure Gallery tickets included. Hotel transfer and tips are extra; the lunch menu only comes with the lunch option.
Check availability →
Entry ticket with one-hour guided tour
Entry is included, and the first package adds a small-group guided tour. The second package has no guide. Transport, food and drinks are not included.
Check availability →Forbidden City ticket, with or without a guide
The Forbidden City ticket is part of each option. A guide comes with some options, the plain ticket booking has none. Transport and tips are not included.
Check availability →Forbidden City tickets and guided visits
Timed entries with a guide, small-group walks and combinations with Tiananmen Square or the Great Wall, with live prices. Check whether the palace ticket is included.
Booking tips
Small things that save a missed visit.
Check the passport first
The name and number on the booking must match the passport you carry. Make sure it is valid and bring the original, not a copy or a photo.
Beware of resellers
The museum says it has authorized no third parties or individuals to sell tickets or reserve exhibitions on its behalf. This site is independent and does not sell the museum's tickets. Compare what a reseller adds with the booking you can make yourself.
Know the daily limit
The museum's international page mentions 40,000 visitors per day. That figure does not mean that tickets for individual visitors are always on sale, so book as soon as your date opens.
Best time to visit →Add the galleries at booking
The Treasure Gallery and the Clock Gallery use the same reservation. Decide before you book, because the galleries sit to the side of the main route.
Palace Museum galleries →Tiananmen Square is separate
The square is free but has its own reservation and security check. A palace booking does not automatically cover it. The route to the Meridian Gate also works without visiting the square.
The Meridian Gate →
Forbidden City tickets: frequently asked questions
How much is a Forbidden City ticket in 2026?
CNY 60 for adults from 1 April to 31 October and CNY 40 from 1 November to 31 March. The Treasure Gallery and the Clock Gallery cost CNY 10 each on top.
Can I buy a ticket at the gate?
Do not plan on it. The museum states that there are no regular day tickets and asks for a named booking and the original passport. Book as soon as your date opens.
When can I book?
Booking for a day opens 7 days before at 20:00 Beijing time.
Do children enter free?
Not in every case. Free entry under 18 is described for Chinese citizens, including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and for foreign minors with permanent residence in China. Check the child rate on the booking page.
Can I change the date or the name after booking?
No. Name, date, ticket type and time window cannot be changed once the ticket is bought. You can cancel an unused ticket until 24:00 on the day before.
What happens if I miss my booking?
A late cancellation or a no-show counts as a missed reservation. After three within 180 days, the account is blocked from booking for 60 days.