Forbidden City
The world's largest palace complex, home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
History & Background
Built between 1406 and 1420 during the reign of Emperor Yongle of the Ming dynasty, the Forbidden City served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors over 491 years. This UNESCO World Heritage Site covers 72 hectares with 980 buildings and over 8,700 rooms, making it the world's largest preserved palace complex.
What to See & Do
- Hall of Supreme Harmony - the grandest throne room
- Palace Museum collection of over 1.8 million artifacts
- Imperial Garden with ancient cypress trees
- Clock Exhibition Hall with imperial timepieces
- Treasure Gallery featuring jade and gold ornaments
Visitor Tips
- Book tickets online at least 7 days in advance
- Enter from the south (Tiananmen) and exit north
- Allow at least 3-4 hours for a thorough visit
- Visit the Treasure Gallery and Clock Exhibition
- Audio guides available in multiple languages
Visit Forbidden City with QTour
Our private tours include this attraction with an expert guide, private vehicle, and flexible itinerary.
QTour builds private itineraries around Forbidden City with a dedicated English-speaking guide and a private air-conditioned vehicle. Your guide arranges entrance tickets, skips the queues where possible and explains the history in your language — no fixed group schedule and no shopping stops. Every booking follows our one-booking-one-team policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
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