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This 2-3 hours Forbidden City tour will take you to delve deep into the heart of imperial China. You will follow a local expert guide to explore this world's largest imperial palace, looking into the over 600 years of imperial life in the Ming and Qing dynasties. This UNESCO-listed palace is home to thousands of grand halls and intricate gardens. Your guide will not only introduce you to the architectural details but also provide insightful commentary on hidden stories and royal family's life. Feel free to ask your questions if you want to gain more information. Our guide are dedicated to offering you a truly immersive cultural and historical adventure.
See the grand architecture of ancient imperial families residence over 600 years ago.
Listen to the captivating history and stories of imperial life in Ming and Qing dynasties.
Walk along the Central Axis to explore important halls and gardens in the largest imperial palace in the world.
This morning, your guide will wait for you at the Meridian Gate (Wumen) of the Forbidden City. This is the only entrance to the Forbidden City. Please arrivat at the point 10 minutes in advance to find the tour guide holding a sign with “ Catherine Lu Tours” logo on it.
How to Get to the Meridian Gate (Wumen) of the Forbidden City?
Option 1: Take Subway Line 1 to Tian'anmen East Station. Use Exit B (Northeast exit) and walk straight north along East Chang'an Avenue for approximately 15 minutes.
Option 2: Take bus routes 1, 52, 120, 126, 2, or 82 to Tian'anmen West Station or Tian'anmen East Station. Then, walk north for about 1000 meters.
Option 3: Take a taxi and show this to your driver: "请带我去故宫午门" (Please take me to the Forbidden City's Meridian Gate).
Follow your guide to the entrance and start your cultural and historical exploration in the Forbidden City. As the largest imperial palace in the world, the Forbidden City is rich in ancient royal palaces and gardens. 24 emperors once lived here for over 600 years from Ming and Qing dynasties. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, and now opened to the public as the Palace Museum.
Your guide will firstly briefly introduce the Meridian Gate. With a towering central edifice and two gracefully extending "wings" on either side, the Meridian Gate is nicknamed as "Five-Phoenix Tower" for its phoenix-like appearance. In ancient times, it is the place where emperors release the new year's calendar, and publicly cane the offending officials.
After that, you will walk along the Central Axis Way to discover more about imperial life and history. Your guide will diligently introduce you to the stories behind these palaces and the emperors, and gladly answer your any questions. Other major highlights in your Forbidden City tour today include:
Hall of Supreme Harmony (Golden Throne Room): The most majestic hall in the Forbidden City where emeperors receive bows from officials. There are10 golden mythical beasts on its roof.
Hall of Central Harmony: The place where the emperor would tidy his robes before heading to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Hall of Preserving Harmony: The site for the ancient imperial examination.
Palace of Heavenly Purity & Palace of Earthly Tranquility: The bedroom of the emperors and empresses separately.
Imperial Garden: This charming imperial garden features 300-year-old trees, rockeries, and exquisite pavilions.
Gate of Divine Prowess: The exit of the Forbidden City.
Based on your preference and available time, you can choose to add the Temple of Heaven to your Beijing half-day tour to discover more of Beijing’s imperial history.
Firstly built in 1420, this magnificent complex is where emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties worshipped heaven and pray for good harvests. Thanks to its grand scale and unique architecture design, it now stands as the largest existing ancient sacrificial building complex in the world and has been included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Unique architecture here includes the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Circular Mound Altar, and Imperial Vault of Heaven (with the famous Echo Wall). Featuring square outer altar wall and round inner altar wall, the entire layout of the Temple of Heaven embodies the belief of "round heaven and square earth" in ancient China.
Excellent English-speaking tour guide;
Admission to the Forbidden City.
Urber or subway between Forbidden city with other optional sight.
Hotel pick-up and drop-off service;
Meals;
Gratuities to the tour guide if you think we did a great job;
Any item or servie not mentioned in the itinerary.
1. Forbidden City is closed every Monday except the National holiday.
2. Children aged 0-6 can visit the Forbidden City for free.
3. Need to bring passport, otherwise may be denied entry to the Forbidden City.
4. Tours will proceed as usual regardless of whether it is sunny or rainy (unless the official palace is closed for safety reasons).
5. Please meet up 10 minutes early. No refund will be given if you miss the tour.
6. There is a mandatory security check at the entrance. During peak times or seasons, the waiting time for security check can be long and is separate from the ticket queue time.
7. Due to the varied terrain and length of the tour, this tour is not recommended for travelers with physical disabilities, visual impairments, or limited mobility.
8. It is prohibited to bring weapons or sharp objects, lighters, oversized luggage, drones, pets (except guide dogs), selfie sticks, tripods, walkers, and sprays into the Forbidden City.
Tel: +86-18612452188 ,
WhatsApp: 86 18612452188
Email:catherinelutours@gmail.com
