Forbidden City tickets for foreigners: when and how to book
Last checked 2026-10-17 · ChinaLocal team
The short answer
The Palace Museum does not sell same-day tickets. Its official booking page says general admission and the Treasure and Clock galleries open for reservations at 20:00 China time, seven days before the visit.
Non-mainland visitors may book with a valid passport. The museum requires a real-name reservation and asks visitors to bring the document used for booking. The Meridian Gate (Wumen, 午门) on the south side is the only entrance.
Book only through the official ‘故宫博物院’ WeChat mini program. The museum says it has not authorised third-party agents for its admission or exhibition reservations. Check the live booking page before paying because exhibition rules and hours can change.
What to do
- Choose your intended visit date and check the Palace Museum official booking page. If it is more than seven days away, return when the seven-day window opens at 20:00 China time.
- Open WeChat, find the official ‘故宫博物院’ mini program from the museum’s booking page, select the visit date and morning or afternoon session, then choose admission and any separately ticketed gallery you need. Do not assume an exhibition is included in general admission.
- For each foreign visitor, choose passport as the identity document in the mini program, enter the name and passport number exactly as printed, then review the date and session before paying. Keep the booking confirmation.
- Bring the original passport used for the reservation and the booking confirmation to the Meridian Gate (午门), the only entrance. For a morning booking, complete ticket inspection before 12:00; afternoon visitors may enter from 11:00.
- If a date or ticket type is unavailable, check the official channel again or change your plan. Do not treat a resale listing as an official museum reservation.
What the booking page actually says
The Palace Museum uses real-name reservations for all visitors. Its official rules permit non-mainland visitors to use a passport, alongside several other listed travel documents. One document can reserve only one admission ticket for a given visit date. The museum states that admission and the separately ticketed Treasure and Clock galleries begin sales seven days before the visit at 20:00 China time.
Admission is CNY 60 in the peak season (1 April–31 October) and CNY 40 in the low season. The museum is normally closed on Mondays except statutory holidays. Hours and access notices can change, so check the official booking page and current announcements for the date you want. Do not rely on an older social post for a booking window or entrance.
On the visit day
The Meridian Gate (午门) is the only entrance. Have the original passport used for the reservation ready for the identity check. The museum lists the Shenwu Gate and Donghua Gate as exit options; follow any temporary routing posted by staff.
Allow time to reach the correct entrance and pass the check. Beijing has several palace-related attractions, so save the Chinese name 故宫博物院 and the gate name 午门 with your confirmation. A map pin for the museum grounds may not take you to the permitted entrance.
If plans change
Use the channel where you booked to review the museum’s current cancellation and refund instructions. An unused ticket refunded by 24:00 on the day before the visit is free of the no-show penalty. Three no-shows within 180 days result in a 60-day booking suspension; check the official mini program for the current refund flow. If your passport details are wrong or the document is unavailable, contact the museum before travel rather than editing a screenshot or asking an unrelated reseller.
Common problems
Can I buy a ticket at the gate today?
The official booking page says no same-day tickets. Choose a later available date in the official channel.
Can I book with my passport?
Yes. The Palace Museum lists valid passports for non-mainland visitors. Bring the same original document used in the reservation.
A site offers a ticket after the official channel is sold out. Is it authorised?
The museum says it has not authorised third-party agents for its admission and exhibition reservations. Check the official channel or contact the museum before paying.
Where do I enter?
The Meridian Gate (午门) on the south side is the museum’s only entrance. Follow current on-site instructions from staff.
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Sources
Last checked 2026-10-17. Follow the official source for live rules and availability.