[Photo via VCG]

The Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, was the imperial palace complex of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It stretches 961 meters from north to south and 753 meters from east to west. The whole complex is surrounded by crimson walls with a 52-meter-wide city moat dug around the wall.

The Forbidden City was set up as a national museum in 1925 and it is the biggest museum of ancient culture and art in China. It not only served as the residence of the royal family and the place for the emperor to handle state affairs, but also the carrier of traditional ceremonials and the outstanding epitome of ancient Chinese palatial architecture.

Address: No. 4 Jingshanqian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing Municipality

Opening hours: 8:30–17:00 (last entry at 16:10) during peak season (April 1–October 31), with tickets purchased before 16:00 on the day; 8:30–16:30 (last entry at 15:40) during off-season (November 1–March 31) with tickets purchased before 15:30 on the day.

Tickets: Peak season (April 1–October 31), CNY 60/person;

Off-season (November 1–March 31), CNY 40/person;

Ticket to the Treasure Gallery (The Palace of Tranquil Longevity Sector, including the Opera Gallery and Stone Drum Gallery): CNY 10/person.

Ticket to the Hall of Clocks (The Hall for Ancestral Worship sector): CNY 10/person

Official tel: (8610)85007057; (8610)85007058; (8610)85007062; (8610)85007063

(Source: Cloud Central Axis Mini Program)