How to Book Forbidden City Tickets as a Foreigner
When tickets go on sale, how to book with your passport, and what to do when your date is sold out.
Short answer
Book on the Palace Museum's official English site with your passport number. Tickets go on sale 7 days before the visit date at 20:00 Beijing time, and there are no same-day tickets or ticket windows. Adult tickets cost ¥60 from April to October and ¥40 from November to March. The museum is closed on Mondays except public holidays. Bring the same passport and enter through the Meridian Gate.
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The Forbidden City, officially the Palace Museum, limits daily visitors and only sells tickets in advance. Popular dates sell out within minutes of release, especially at weekends, in summer and around Chinese holidays.
When tickets go on sale
Tickets for each day are released 7 days ahead at 20:00 Beijing time. To visit on a Saturday, book the previous Saturday evening. Set an alarm and check the time difference if you’re booking from home.
Tickets are released in batches. If your date shows as sold out soon after 20:00, refresh a few times before giving up.
How to book
- Open the museum’s official English ticketing site. Foreign visitors don’t need WeChat or a Chinese phone number.
- Choose your date and ticket type.
- Enter your name and passport number exactly as they appear in your passport.
- Add the Treasure Gallery or Clock Gallery if you want them, about ¥10 each. They have to be booked at the same time.
- Pay and keep the confirmation.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult, April to October | ¥60 |
| Adult, November to March | ¥40 |
| Ages 7 to 18 and full-time undergraduates | ¥20 |
| Age 60 and over | Half price |
| Age 6 and under | Free, but still needs a reservation |
| Treasure Gallery or Clock Gallery | ¥10 each |
On the day
The museum is closed on Mondays, except on public holidays. In the April to October season it opens 8:30 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:00.
Enter from the south, through the Meridian Gate (午门). Bring the original passport you booked with; photos and photocopies aren’t accepted. Foreign passport holders go through the staffed checking lane, where staff check your passport against the booking.
If your date is sold out
- Look at nearby dates. Weekdays sell out later than weekends.
- Refresh after 20:00 on release day, as more tickets appear in batches.
- Book a guided tour that includes entry. Use a well-known platform, check that the booking names you and your date, and read the cancellation terms. The museum doesn’t authorise third-party ticket resellers, so avoid individuals offering spare tickets.
Cancelling
You can cancel for free until 24:00 the day before your visit. Cancelling on the day or not turning up counts as a missed booking. Three missed bookings within 180 days block you from booking for 60 days.
Other sights that need booking
Many big museums and some popular sights in China also ask for a real-name reservation in advance, often through a WeChat mini-program that’s hard to use with a foreign passport. Look for an English booking page on the official website first. If there isn’t one, booking platforms such as Trip.com or Klook usually sell tickets that work with a passport.
Common questions
Can I buy Forbidden City tickets at the gate?
No. There are no same-day tickets and no walk-up ticket windows. Every visitor needs a reservation in advance, including children who enter free.
What if I typed my name wrong?
The name and passport number must match your passport exactly. If they don't, cancel and rebook before 24:00 the day before your visit, which doesn't count against you.
Can I book for my whole family on one passport?
No. Each ticket is linked to one passport, and each passport can hold one ticket per day.
Is there a phone number for help in English?
The ticket service line, 400-950-1925, is open 08:00 to 20:00 Beijing time every day.