Tickets are released on a schedule
The Forbidden City uses real-name booking, and tickets are typically released about seven days ahead. On popular dates they can be gone within minutes of going live, which is why the moment of release matters so much. Waiting until you are in Beijing to sort it out is a genuine risk.
Every traveller needs to be registered, so we ask for each person's identity details in advance and hold them ready before release day.
How we take it off your plate
- We book on release day on your behalf, so you are not watching the clock.
- Entry dates and time slots are slotted into your itinerary in the right order.
- Mondays are planned around, since the museum is closed then.
- If anything changes officially, we notify you and rearrange.
Mondays and peak dates
The museum closes on Mondays, which catches out a surprising number of visitors. If your Beijing days happen to include one, we simply reorder the schedule and put the Great Wall or another sight in its place, so nothing is lost.
If you also want the special exhibition halls, those usually need to be added at the time of booking. Tell us what interests you and we will handle the extras in advance rather than at the door.
A common misunderstanding
Many guests assume they can walk up and buy a ticket, as they might at home. With real-name booking and rapid sell-outs, that is no longer realistic in high season. The safe approach is to treat the ticket as part of trip planning.
When to just ask us
Send us your dates, the number of travellers and each person's document details, and we will secure entry as part of the itinerary. Opening hours and booking rules are set officially and change from time to time, so we always confirm the latest notice before finalising.
