Meeting Information:
Tour Route & Detailed Itinerary
1. Donghua Gate – Moat Path – Meridian Gate
Gather at Donghua Gate. Walk along the quiet outer moat (Tongzi river) path beside the Forbidden City ancient city wall to reach Meridian Gate. This riverside route avoids crowded main entrances and offers a panoramic view of the Forbidden City's grand outer wall scenery. Finish ticket checking and entry procedures at Meridian Gate.
2. Forbidden City Furniture Gallery (Exclusive Stop)
Enter the Forbidden City and first visit the Palace Furniture Gallery, a rarely visited hidden boutique spot missed by most regular tour routes. The gallery collects a large number of well-preserved royal hardwood furniture from the Ming and Qing dynasties, including imperial beds, official desks, screen decorations and ceremonial furniture. It fully presents the exquisite craftsmanship, royal aesthetics and luxurious daily life of ancient Chinese imperial families.
3. Three Main Halls (Outer Court)
Pass through Taihe Gate and visit the three core landmark halls of the Forbidden City outer court:
● Taihe Hall (Hall of Supreme Harmony)
● Zhonghe Hall (Hall of Central Harmony)
● Baohe Hall (Hall of Preserving Harmony)
Appreciate the highest-standard ancient imperial architecture, solemn ritual layout and centuries-old royal historical heritage.
4. Treasure Gallery & Nine-Dragon Wall
Exit from Jingyun Gate and head to the famous Palace Museum Treasure Gallery. Walk along the iconic Nine-Dragon Wall, one of China's most famous traditional glazed wall art masterpieces, enjoying precious royal jewels, gold wares and imperial collections.
5. Qianlong Garden
Continue to Qianlong Garden, a private imperial garden built for Emperor Qianlong's retirement. It features delicate pavilions, secluded courtyards and unique garden layouts with strong classical Chinese royal garden characteristics.
6. Pavilion of Cheerful Melodies
The largest ancient opera stage in the Forbidden City, built in the Qianlong period. It was the royal theatre for imperial festivals and grand performances, featuring exquisite ancient architectural design and elegant royal artistic style.
7. Hall of Joyful Longevity
A noble imperial hall in the Ningshou Palace area, once the resting palace for retired emperors. It houses precious royal treasures, including the famous Giant Jade of Dayu Flood Control, showing supreme royal craftsmanship.
8. Imperial Concubine Zhen's Well + East Corridor Path (YIN YANG Alley )
An ancient well with profound historical stories, located in the quiet backyard of the Forbidden City. It witnesses the old palace history and romantic imperial tales, a famous cultural spot full of historical charm.
Tour End Instructions
● The 3-3.5 hours official guided service ends at the north entrance of East Corridor Path .
● Guests who wish to explore further inside the Forbidden City may continue self-visit freely.
● Guests who finish the tour may exit via SHENWU MEN (North Gate).
Cost：CNY 255 or USD 38/per person
Service including.
- Forbidden City (Palace Museum) Entrance tickets.
- Professional English-speaking guide full accompaniment. (Meridian Gate - Palace Furniture Gallery - Taihe Gate - Hall of Supreme Harmony - Hall of Central Harmony - Hall of Preserving Harmony - Treasure Gallery & Nine-Dragon Wall - Qianlong Garden - Pavilion of Cheerful Melodies - Hall of Joyful Longevity - Imperial Concubine Zhen's Well + East Corridor Path (YIN YANG Alley )
- Headset audio guide throughout the tour.
Important Remarks
Palace Museum （Forbidden City） tickets are fully booked easily in advance, which need to be reserved 7 days ahead officially. If you book the tour only 1-2 days in advance, our staff will assist you with on-site ticket register for entry.
Most regular tours only visit the central axis, covering merely the Outer Court and Inner Court for quick sightseeing.
Our in-depth journey is totally different. Apart from the Treasure Gallery and exclusive Palace Furniture Gallery, we specially explore Ningshou Palace, Yangxin Hall, Eastern Palaces and Zhenfei Well.
We discover the hidden royal living areas with professional interpretation, bringing you a genuine, slow and all-round immersive Forbidden City experience.
