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Forbidden City

故宫 · Beijing, China

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Forbidden City — Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0 ·Wikimedia Commons

The 980-building imperial palace where 24 emperors ruled for five centuries. Book tickets days ahead — it sells out.

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Forbidden City — another view — Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0 ·source

Where it fits: Forbidden City is inBeijing. Allow 4–5 days for the city. Best time: April–May and September–October. Fly into Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX). High-speed trains to Shanghai (~4.5–6 h), Xi'an (~4.5–6 h) and Chengdu (~7.5 h).

More in Beijing

Great Wall — Mutianyu · 慕田峪长城
Great Wall — Badaling · 八达岭长城
Temple of Heaven · 天坛
Summer Palace · 颐和园
Tiananmen Square · 天安门广场

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粤ICP备2026127553号-1© 2026 China Unlocked. Photos via Wikimedia Commons contributors.Visa & travel details last reviewed October 2026 — always verify with official sources before you travel.