China · FORBIDDEN CITY & PALACE MUSEUM TOURS
73 reviewed
Palace Museum tickets are timed, capped daily and gone days ahead, so the booking decides the visit. Below are the best Forbidden City tours: which include the entry ticket, which come in at the Meridian Gate and walk the central axis, which add the Treasure Gallery, and how long each one really keeps you inside the walls.
Guided English tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with included tickets, expert stories, and optional Coal Hill Park views.
“My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Our tour guide, Jimmy, was very knowledgeable and friendly and did an excellent job. Highly recommend”
Guided Beijing tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, with group or private options, reserved entry, and expert stories.
“It was really good, our guide was super interesting and informative, and I really enjoyed his stories and explanations of what everything was when we were walking through. He was also super nice, offering to take photos for us, which was good for me as I was there by myself. Ultimately, I really enjoyed it.”
Hotel pickup to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and Mutianyu Great Wall. Lunch and tickets plus cable car or chairlift for $128 pp.
“We had an excellent day trip covering Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, a jade factory, lunch, and the Badaling Great Wall. Everything was well organized and flowed smoothly throughout the day. Lucy was a fantastic guide—very informative, engaging, and great at adapting to the pace and interests of everyone in the group. That really stood out, especially since some people on our tour had actually done a previous tour with Lucy and chose to join her again. Highly recommend booking this excursion—you’ll enjoy it!”
A small-group half-day tour to the Forbidden City with prebooked entry, story-first guiding, and smart options for Tian'anmen Square or Jingshan views.
“Vivian was a very good tourist guide, professional, giving us all information about site and where to take a beautiful photo of the site. Very recommended”
Small-group Beijing tour covering Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and Mutianyu Great Wall, with hotel pickup, skips, lunch, and guide tips.
“Helen was an amazing guide! She made sure that all of our needs were met and did a great job explaining the sites and the history as well as adding in funny anecdotes along the way. She did an incredible job facilitating with all the official interactions; she made sure that our type stayed on schedule while still providing all the time needed for hydration (super hot), rest (we walked 18000 steps) as well as photo opportunities (she even take on great photo duties to ensure you have dinner great family photos); made great recommendations for shopping and meals. My family (which included a 10 and 12yo) highly recommend Helen…”
Reserved entry to the Forbidden City with Tiananmen Square context. English or Spanish guided tours, Royal Treasures Museum, easy meeting point.
“The meeting point could be closer to the entrance, because it's a lot of walking inside the palace anyway.”
Skip long lines to the Forbidden City using your passport near Tiananmen Square, choose morning or afternoon, and upgrade with a guide.
“Marco was a fantastic guide, he was funny, thorough, knowledgeable and super friendly. My friends and I had a wonderful visit with him!”
A small-group walk through Temple of Heaven, Tian’anmen Square, and the Forbidden City, with guaranteed entry and expert guidance.
“Huan was super nice and was explaining everything , i recommand !!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻”
Small-group tour covering Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Treasure Gallery with skip-the-stress tickets, audio guide, and flexible timing.
“I was late due to driver and they came and found me… all the staff very supportive and accomodating but Linda was WORLD CLASS with knowledge and patience”
Passport entry to Beijing’s Forbidden City, with optional add-ons for Tiananmen Square and Mutianyu Great Wall plus helpful support.
“Although it was extremely busy (due to the anniversary parade) once in it was an extraordinary tour, I enjoyed most the palaces and the explanation from our tour guide Mina of the buildings, their symbolism, purposes and history. Definitely bring lots of drinks and snacks!”
Two-day Beijing highlights with small group: Tiananmen, Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Hutong rickshaw, Summer Palace.
“On day 1 we had Lucy, she was great, very informative, helpful and flexible. On day 2 we had Kevin who was very informative but totally inflexible: apparently getting 5 minutes to visit a gift shop was impossible etc. His attitude was just Read more”
Private half-day Forbidden City walk with Tiananmen Square, hotel pickup, timed entry, and a guide to cut through crowds and confusion.
“The guided tour was very interesting and our guide Jack explained a lot about history and architecture of the forbidden city! Highly recommend!”
Full-day Beijing highlights with pickup, English guide, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, and lunch included for $99.
“This was a great tour of the World Heritage Sites in Beijing. We are here to see our last Wonder of the World site, the Great Wall which we visited along with the Ming Tombs yesterday. Today we visited the Forbidden City, Tiananmen SquaRead more”
One day in Beijing hitting Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Badaling Great Wall, with pickup, lunch, tickets, and jade shopping.
“A nice city highlights tour with a friendly guide. I’d have skipped the tea house stop, as I’m not a fan of ‘commercial proposals’, but everything else was excellent. The Great Wall is absolutely breathtaking and unforgettable!”
Skip long lines at the Forbidden City with hotel pickup, a historian guide, and express entry to key palaces plus the Treasures Museum.
“The Forbidden City is a must see sight when in Beijing. It has so much history and culture for one to unearth and explore. Johnny is great in sharing some of these stories. Highly recommend this tour. Saves a lot of hassle and time too in securing tickets and getting through the crowd.”
