How to book Palace Museum (Forbidden City)

故宫博物院 · Beijing

Checked 23 October 2026. Release times and closing days change: confirm on the official channel before you go.

Required Book before you go: no entry without a reservation.

Book via: Official website or the Palace Museum WeChat mini program; no tickets are sold at the gate
When: Up to 7 days ahead; popular days sell out within hours of release
Closed: Mondays, except public holidays
Bring: Passport (each visitor needs their own reservation)
Official site: en.dpm.org.cn

Booking with a foreign passport

China's big sights sell real-name tickets: you enter your passport number when you book, and the passport itself is your ticket at the gate. Each person in your group needs their own reservation. Mini programs inside WeChat or Alipay usually accept foreign passports; if one refuses yours, try the official website, or ask your hotel to book for you.

More in the guide to booking sights, including how to set up the apps before you fly.

Questions

Do I need to book Palace Museum (Forbidden City) in advance?

Yes. Entry is by real-name reservation only, made with your passport number.

How do foreigners book Palace Museum (Forbidden City)?

Book via Official website or the Palace Museum WeChat mini program; no tickets are sold at the gate. Bring Passport (each visitor needs their own reservation).

How far ahead can I book Palace Museum (Forbidden City)?

Up to 7 days ahead; popular days sell out within hours of release

When is Palace Museum (Forbidden City) closed?

Mondays, except public holidays

Other sights in Beijing

Beijing: the free city guide.

Planning a visit? Ask the assistant about routes, timing and tickets.

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