Name: Beijing - Private Forbidden City
Brand: EastBound and Beyond
Price: 144.0 USD
Availability:  instock

Decoding

The Forbidden City

Not your cliched Forbidden City tour. We skip tedious dates and names, offering an engaging and fun experience. It's an architecture tour. It's a history tour. It's a culture tour. But most of all, it's a fun tour.

Private

minimum of 2 and maximum of 5 guests

4 hours

4km of Walking

Ticket included

with access to Treasure Gallery & lesser-known corners

*Adult ages 13 and above, Child ages 4-12

Number of adults (Ages 13+): 1 Adult

Number of children (Ages 4-12): 1 Child

Product variants

* For group of 6 or more, please contact us

You'll discover why the Forbidden City is a masterpiece in all aspects - a perfect blend of oriental culture, Chinese history, and architectural gems. This is a tour that can be tailor-made for everyone, whether you're a history lover, a architecture enthusiast, or simply someone who wants to take the best IG photos.

We won't bombard you with dates, dynasties, or long-dead emperor names. Instead, we'll help you understand the Forbidden City in a way that is easy to digest, engaging, and relatable. It's an architecture tour. It's a history tour. It's a culture tour. But most of all, it's a fun tour.

Admire the Bund and learn about its history-defining role

Visit secret spots with stunning views of the city skyline

Discover a Shanghai's finest garden, packed with subtle beauty and Chinese culture

Understand how China declined from an once powerful empire to frequently defeated country in the 19th century

Visit quieter corners of the palace: see an opera stage, royal gardens, and step inside a palace hall

See how events happended inside the palace still shape China today

Outer Court (Working Quarters)

Admire the magnificent palaces and vast squares where many historic events in China took place. Learn how the emperor ruled a vast empire through a highly organized system.

Inner Court (Living Quarters for the Emperor)

Visit the emperor's residence recently opened to public after decade-long renovation. Peek into the rooms he stayed in, and uncover how clever designs kept the palace warm in winter and cool in summer, and hear the story of his not-so-delicious food. Through these fun details, the emperor's daily life comes to life.

Inner Court (Living Quarters for the Concubines)

Step into the living area of the emperor's women and hear the stories of those who lived inside the palace walls. Their lives were often restricted and difficult. Learn how a delicate system is designed to ensure that no one could threaten the authority of the emperor.

A Hidden Corner of the Forbidden City

Visit a quieter and less-visited section of the palace that many tourists overlook. Here we can step inside historic halls (a rare opportunity, as most halls in the Forbidden City cannot be entered), see an imperial opera stage, and stroll through beautiful royal gardens.

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Group Size
(1) Private group for 2-5 guests (including adults and children ages 3 and above)
(2) For solo traveler or groups exceeding 5 people, please contact us

What is the child pricing policy?
(1) Child pricing applies to children ages between 4-12
(2) Children ages 3 and under are free

How long is this tour
The tour typically lasts about 4 hours.

How long is the walk
(1) Be prepared for approximately 4 kilometers of outdoor walking
(2) Comfortable shoes are recommended, and an umbrella is suggested if rain is expected

Meeting Point

(1) Location: Donghuamen (东华门; the East Gate of the Forbidden City)
(2) Meet your guide in front of the Donghuamen, and your guide will wear a brown shirt with logo "Eastbound and Beyond"
(3) Nearest subway stop: Jinyu Hu Tong Station (金鱼胡同站), served by line 8
(4) Instruction to taxi driver: 故宫博物馆东华门

End Point

(1) We will end our tour at Shenwumen (神武门); the North Gate of the Forbidden City

What's included?

(1) English-speaking tour guide
(2) Admission to the Forbidden City including the Treasure Gallery area
(3) A special gift :)

What's not included?

(1) Pick up or drop off
(2) Gratuites

Q&A

Can you purchase Forbidden City tickets in advance?

(1) If you book your tour and provide us with your passportphoto page at least 7 days in advance, we will try our best to purchase the Forbidden City tickets online for you ahead of time to help avoid queues on the day of your visit.
(2) However, during peak seasons (Chinese holidays, winter break, and summer break), online tickets can be very difficult to secure due to limited availability.
(3) If online tickets cannot be obtained, your guide will assist in purchasing the tickets on site at the entrance. In this case, please expect a moderate queue, especially during peak periods.

Cancellation Policy
(1) 100% refund is provided for cancellations made at least 24 hours prior to the tour start time. Please note that all website payments are processed through PayPal or PayPal-authorized credit card services, and a 4.4% transaction fee will be applied to your payment. This fee is non-refundable as we are unable to recover such processing costs from PayPal or PayPal-authorized credit card in the event of a cancellation. For example, if you paid $100 using PayPal or PayPal-authorized credit card and cancel your tour at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time, you will receive a refund of $95.60, with a $4.40 processing fee deducted.
(2) No refund for cancellations made less than 24 hours before the tour start time or in case of a no-show

What happens if it rains, or the weather is unfavorable?
(1) Tours operate in all weather conditions, so we recommend bringing an umbrella if needed
(2) In rare cases of extreme weather (e.g., hurricanes, rainstorm or extreme heat), the tour will be canceled at least one day in advance, and a full refund will be provided