Beijing Guide: Forbidden City, Great Wall and How to Book

The Forbidden City has around 980 buildings and roughly 8,700 rooms by the usual count, and in 600 years almost nobody was allowed inside. Today the problem is the opposite: you cannot get in without a reservation made in advance. Beijing rewards the traveler who plans the boring parts early, so here is how to do it.

Before you land: visas and entry

China has a 240-hour (10 day) visa-free transit policy for citizens of many countries, as long as you continue to a third country or region and hold an onward ticket. Beijing's two airports, Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX), are eligible. China has also been running unilateral visa exemptions for a long list of countries, announced as extended until 31 December 2026. The country lists change, so check the National Immigration Administration site or your nearest Chinese embassy before you book flights.

Money: Alipay and WeChat Pay

Beijing runs on mobile payments. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards can now be linked to Alipay and WeChat Pay, with small per-transaction limits (verify the current limit in the app). Set it up before you arrive, because verification can fail on the first try. Carry some cash too: not every vendor takes foreign cards, and the law requires places to accept notes, so you will not be stuck.

The Forbidden City: how to book

• Book ahead, always. Tickets are real-name and tied to your passport. There is no gate sales window, and the daily quota (reported at about 80,000) sells out on busy days.
• When tickets drop. Most sources say tickets are released about 7 days ahead at 20:00 Beijing time. Check the official portal for the current rule.
• Price. About 60 RMB from April to October and 40 RMB from November to March. The Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery are around 10 RMB each as add-ons.
• Closed on Mondays, except public holidays.
• Where. The official site (bookingticket.dpm.org.cn) has an English version, though foreign cards sometimes fail. Third-party platforms work but cost more.

Enter through the Meridian Gate in the south and walk the central axis north, exit through the Gate of Divine Prowess, and allow 3 to 4 hours. Skip the side halls on your first pass: the three great halls (Supreme Harmony, Central Harmony, Preserving Harmony) and the Imperial Garden are the core.

The best view: Jingshan Park

Right across the north gate, Jingshan Park has a small hill with a pavilion where you see the whole palace roofline laid out in yellow tiles. The entrance is only a few RMB. Go late afternoon, and you get the golden light with a fraction of the crowd.

The Great Wall: why Mutianyu

Badaling is the famous one and also the most crowded. Mutianyu, about 70 km from central Beijing (usually 1.5 to 2 hours by car), is restored, scenic and quieter, with watchtowers every few hundred meters.

• Entrance: about 40 RMB for adults. A shuttle from the car park costs around 15 RMB round trip.
• Ride up or walk: cable car around 100 RMB one way (about 140 round trip), or chairlift plus toboggan, around 100 to 140 RMB. Prices vary by source, so confirm at the gate. The toboggan is a long metal slide down the mountain and a genuine highlight.
• Getting there: a private driver or a small group tour is the easiest option. Public transport exists but takes multiple changes and more patience.
• Tickets and passport: many operators ask for passport details for online bookings, so keep it with you. Verify the current rule when you buy.

Go on a weekday and arrive at opening, around 8:00. By noon the busiest sections fill up. Autumn is the best season for color, and winter is cold but nearly empty. Bring water and decent shoes: the steps are steep and uneven.

A simple 3 day plan

1. Day 1: Forbidden City in the morning, Jingshan for sunset, then dinner around Wangfujing or the hutongs.
2. Day 2: Mutianyu, back by late afternoon. Keep the evening free, you will be tired.
3. Day 3: Temple of Heaven at sunrise (locals do tai chi and sing there), then the hutongs by bike or on foot.

Practical tips

• Carry your passport everywhere. You need it for tickets, many hotels and security checkpoints.
• Download offline maps and translation tools before you arrive, since some Western apps work poorly in China.
• The subway is fast and cheap, and signs are bilingual. Security bag checks are routine.
• Air quality varies, and clear days are best for the Wall. Check the forecast the night before.

Explore Beijing with Trevurs

Do not walk through 600 years of history without a story. Trevurs has free self-guided audio tours of Beijing that work offline: The Forbidden City: 600 Years of Emperors No One Could See walks you through the palace you just booked, and The Great Wall: Why It Failed and Why It Still Matters gives context for the Wall before you climb it. Download them on hotel wifi, then pop your headphones in when you reach the gate.