The Palace Museum travel guidebook –must visit attractions in Beijing – The Palace Museum nearby recommendation

The Palace Museum

故宫

1,235 photos

Closed Closed on Mon;Open from 04/01-10/31,Tue-Sun,8:30am-5:00pm;Open from 11/1-3/31,Tue-Sun,8:30am-4:30pm;Open from 8:30am-5:00pm during Labour Day,Ching Ming Festival,Dragon Boat Festival,China's national day,Mid-Autumn Festival

Recommended Sightseeing Time: 0.5-1 day

Address: No. 4, Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

map

Phone: 010-85007938 010-85007421 010-85007058

What people are saying:

The scenery is beautiful, the scenery is beautiful. It's good to go a few times. [Cost-effective] Tickets are still normal when comparing with domestic ones.

Trip Moments

Post

In all around history, emperors have projected their supremacy by using secrecy and majesty of their living place. Such magnificent is the Palace museum (故宫). One day would not be enough to visit the whole of the museum. The whole place covers Beihai park, Jingshan park and the museum. It has a complex structure with 999 buildings (although I didn't count 😝) , which signifies the immortality of the emperor; as 1000 is for God. It is perfectly built that it lies in straight line starting from Tiananmen square until the Bell and Drum tower 🗼. Also inside it has the Shamanist elements like Phoenix, turtle 🐢 and lion 🦁 . It is also worth to buy the audio tour guide inside for just 10 rmb. A must visit if you are new to China and Beijing. #culturetrip #palace #beijingtrip#urbanexplorer

Aaru 裴儒

Must see attraction when you are in Beijing. This is the place mostly featured in movies and tv shows. It is so so huge like more than a kilometer long. Start at Tiananmen Square and end up North Exit at the Jingshan Park where you can have a good look of the city from the top. #urbanexplorer #beijingtrip

roiberador

The Forbidden palace may be the world’s largest imperial palace, yet the palace seems so small when you navigate it among the sea of tourists you will encounter on your visit. Nevertheless, this should not stop you from visiting one of the biggest attractions in China that dates from Ming dynasty (completed in 1644). The city is not only an amazing architectural complex, but has the most important Chinese heritage collection in artwork, artifacts and designs (from gardens to ancient buildings). Most of the buildings are made of wood, which different designs in different areas. If you are very attentive, you will notice there are cats but no birds in the Forbidden City. It is said that most of these cats are descendants of the royal cats owned by of the concubines in Ming and Qing dynasties (all the way from 1368!). There are few gardens and a small shop inside the city if you want to buy a tiny replica of some relics, or get yourself a nice souvenir. Keep in mind many areas in the city are still closed due to overall renovations. If you have some additional free time, you can walk a few minutes to Jingshan park. Up the hill you will be able to appreciate the view of the whole city complex (which is approximately 720,000 m2). #architecture #architecturalphotos #urbanexplorer #statue #maydaytrip #happylaborday #beijing #forbiddencity #china #history #archaeology #ancienttomb#oldarchitecture#artgallery

criskotsu

The must see one, or to say as the place that can't be missed in your bucket list when you go to Beijing is 故宫 (Forbidden palace). As the name goes, it was really forbidden for a long time for commoners; as it's supposed to be protective place for the king and his family. And the architecture represents the early Ming dynasty and few other subsequent kingdoms have made changes. It's really that even a day won't be enough I would say, so on Day 1 have a look at the 天安门广场 (Tiananmen Square) and cover up part of the palace. There's also a VR place inside the palace where they take on a virtual journey about the palace. First day upto the Earth tower will be great. Yes, different towers represent Fire, Sky, Water, Turtle, Phoenix (sort of), Earth. The following day, cover up the rest of the palace and go to the park just behind the palace where you can get the view as in this picture. And most importantly don't forget to go around the 故宫 in the evening with all those glitters. There are a series of buildings that are built in straight line across the city, extending upto the Bell and Drum tower. On day 3, get immersed in the modern Beijing by visiting the CCTV headquarters, China world trade center tower III building and enjoy the Northern food. It'll be a perfect mix of ancient and modern. #qingmingtravel #urbanexplorer #beijingtravel #urbanexplorer#qingmingtravel#lightthecity

Aaru 裴儒

Additional Information

Introduction

A vast majority of tourists who visit Beijing for the first time consider the Forbidden City as a place they must see. The Forbidden City, known as Gugong in Mandarin, once served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is a symbol of ancient China. Although it is no longer China's political centre, you can still feel its former glory once you are within the courtyard and surrounded by the high walls. Its long history has left behind a large amount of precious architecture and cultural relics, making it one of the most important cultural heritage in modern China.

Available Amenities

󰄢Luggage storage

󰄬Guided tour

󰄦Audio guide rental

󰄞Restroom

󰄧Baby room

󰄫Barrier-free access

󰄜ATM

󰄤Restaurant

󰄥Gift shop

󰄰Convenience store

Attractions inside

Meridian Gate

4.7/5519 Reviews

Architecture

The Antiquarium of The Palace Museum

4.7/5385 Reviews

MuseumExhibition Halls

Jiaolou Building

4.8/5309 Reviews

Architecture

Hall of Great Harmony (Taihe Dian)

4.8/5326 Reviews

Architecture

Palace of Heavenly Purity

4.7/5269 Reviews

PalaceHistoric Sites

Watch Museum (Fengxian Temple)

4.7/5169 Reviews

MuseumExhibition Halls

Located Nearby

Nearby AttractionsMore(7577)

Changchun Palace

4.6/514 Reviews

"Palace"

<100m away

Hall of Great Harmony (Taihe Dian)

4.8/5326 Reviews

108m away

Tirenge

4.5/52 Reviews

"Historical Site"

111m away

Nearby RestaurantsMore(572)

Brasserie 1893

4.6/5327 Reviews

$$$$

"Western-style""Brunch"

1.44km away

Peacock Alley (Waldorf Astoria Beijing)

4.3/515 Reviews

$$$$

"Bakery""Open Late"

1.44km away

4.7/5280 Reviews

$$$$

"Beijing Cuisine""Chinese Courtyard Restaurants"

2.04km away

Nearby HotelsMore(6640)

The Great Wall Hotel Beijing

4.4/58,647 Reviews

6.46km away

Grand Millennium Beijing

4.4/55,166 Reviews

5.28km away

Novotel Beijing Xinqiao

4.4/58,335 Reviews

2.34km away