How to Visit the Forbidden City: A Complete Guide

To visit the Forbidden City (the Palace Museum) in Beijing, you must book tickets exactly seven days in advance through the official WeChat mini-program, as on-site ticket sales are no longer available. Ensure you carry your original passport for entry and have a reliable 5G data connection to access digital maps and the required reservation systems.

The Essentials of Visiting the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, located in the heart of Beijing, served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, it is known as the Palace Museum. Covering 72 hectares, it is one of the most visited cultural sites in the world. However, visiting is no longer as simple as showing up at the gate. The transition to a fully digital booking system means that your smartphone is your most important travel tool.

Because the booking system is hosted within WeChat, having functional, uncensored mobile data is critical. Many travelers arrive in Beijing expecting to use hotel Wi-Fi, only to find that the "Great Firewall" blocks the very apps they need for navigation and translation. By choosing to see plans for an eSIM before you fly, you ensure that your device can access the global internet natively, bypassing these restrictions.

How to Book Forbidden City Tickets

Tickets are released daily at 8:00 PM Beijing time, exactly seven days before the date of visit. During peak seasons (summer, Golden Week, and Chinese New Year), tickets often sell out within minutes.

1. Use the WeChat Mini-Program: Search for "The Palace Museum" (故宫博物院) in WeChat. There is an English interface available, but it can be temperamental.
2. Passport Information: You must enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport and your passport number. Your passport is your ticket; there are no paper tickets or QR codes to scan at the gate.
3. Morning vs. Afternoon: You must choose a time slot. Morning entry is before 12:00 PM, and afternoon entry is after 12:00 PM. If you miss your window, entry is not guaranteed.
4. Extra Galleries: The Treasure Gallery and the Clock Gallery require additional small fees. These are highly recommended and can be added during the initial booking.

Navigating the Palace Museum

The Forbidden City is designed on a central axis. Most visitors follow this line from south to north.

The Meridian Gate (Entry)

Entry is only through the Meridian Gate (Wumen) at the south end. You will pass through several security checkpoints. Lighters and knives are strictly prohibited. Your passport will be scanned multiple times.

The Outer Court

This area was used for ceremonial purposes. You will see the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony. These are the largest and most impressive structures, sitting on white marble terraces.

The Inner Court and Imperial Garden

The northern half of the palace served as the residential quarters for the Emperor and his family. The Imperial Garden at the far north is a beautiful place to rest before exiting, though it can become very crowded.

The Exit

You must exit through the Gate of Divine Prowess (north) or the East Prosperity Gate. Most people exit through the north gate, directly across from Jingshan Park. Climbing the hill in Jingshan Park offers the famous panoramic view of the palace's golden roofs.

Staying Connected in Beijing

Beijing is a hyper-connected city, but it is also a digitally fenced one. While local 5G networks from China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom are exceptionally fast, they operate behind the Great Firewall. This means Google Maps, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook will not work on a standard local SIM or local Wi-Fi.

The Great Firewall and Your Apps

For international travelers, this is more than an inconvenience. You will need Google Translate to read signs, WhatsApp to stay in touch with family, and potentially Google Maps to find your way back to your hotel. ChinaRoam provides a solution by routing your data through servers outside of mainland China. This allows you to use your favorite apps exactly as you would in the UK or Europe without needing to configure a slow or unreliable VPN.

Comparison: ChinaRoam vs. UK Carrier Roaming

Feature	ChinaRoam eSIM	UK Roaming (EE, O2, Vodafone)
Cost	Fixed plan or daily pass	Often £6–£8 per day
Data Limit	High (up to 50GB)	Often capped at 500MB/day
Speed	5G on Mobile/Unicom/Telecom	Often throttled to 3G/4G
Censorship	Uncensored (No Firewall)	Usually uncensored, but very expensive
Setup	Digital QR code	Automatic (but high risk of bill shock)

Choosing the Right Data Plan

Depending on the length of your stay in Beijing and whether you plan to visit other cities, you should choose a plan that matches your usage.

• Short Trips (7-15 days): If you are just visiting Beijing for the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, a 3GB or 5GB fixed plan is usually sufficient for maps and messaging.
• Power Users: If you plan on uploading high-resolution videos to Instagram or TikTok from the Palace Museum, consider a 10GB or 20GB plan.
• Heavy Data Daily: We offer daily passes including 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, and even a 10GB per day option for those who need maximum bandwidth. We also have a precise 0.48828125GB per day plan for light users.
• Longer Stays: For those exploring the country for a month or more, the 50GB/180-day plan offers the best long-term value.

All ChinaRoam plans are "data only," meaning they do not come with a local Chinese phone number. While you cannot make traditional phone calls, you can use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Skype calls perfectly over the 5G data connection.

How to Install Your China eSIM

You should install your eSIM before you arrive at Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX) airports. This ensures you have data the moment you land to call a Didi (China's Uber) or navigate the subway.

1. Check Compatibility: Before purchasing, check your device's compatibility to ensure it supports eSIM technology (most iPhones from the XS onwards and recent Samsung/Pixel phones are supported).
2. Purchase and Receive: After you see plans and checkout, you will receive a QR code via email.
3. Scan the Code: On iPhone, go to Settings > Mobile Service > Add eSIM. On Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add eSIM.
4. Set as Data Label: Name the new plan "ChinaRoam." Ensure "Data Roaming" is turned ON for this specific line so it can connect to local towers.
5. Detailed Guide: For a more thorough walkthrough, read our guide on how to install your eSIM.

Beyond Beijing: Regional Travel

Many travelers visiting the Forbidden City also include Hong Kong or Macau in their itinerary. These regions have different internet rules but are covered by our regional plans. If you are heading south after your Beijing trip, you might enjoy Exploring the street markets of Mong Kok, Hong Kong for a completely different atmosphere. Alternatively, if you want to see how Portuguese and Chinese cultures blend, consider Exploring the Historic Centre of Macau: A visitor guide.

Connectivity remains seamless across these borders. Our eSIMs connect to the best available 5G networks in all three regions, ensuring you never lose access to your maps or travel documents.

The Bottom Line

Visiting the Forbidden City is a highlight of any trip to China, but it requires careful digital preparation. Between the WeChat-only booking system and the complexities of the Great Firewall, having an uncensored 5G data plan is essential. By setting up a ChinaRoam eSIM before you arrive, you can focus on the stunning Ming architecture rather than worrying about why your maps won't load.