The Forbidden City is one of the attractions Beijing has to offer. Plan more than half a day for it. As you can see from the maps underneath, it's massive and there are many things to see. Unfortunately some parts are under renovation and therefore not accessible.
Put some good walking shoes on, take a few bottles of water and a hat (or umbrella, like the Chinese) to protect your scalp from the burning sun (if you happen to go there in the summer), because you won't find shade and water anywhere in the Forbidden City.
Don't forget your passport. Like the border control guard in the German film 'Im Juli' says: No passport, no Romania! It's the same here. No passport, no tickets and therefore no access. Because we didn't know that, we went there once, were told the above mentioned line, and returned the following day with our shiny European passports.
There are some bags and luggage controls near the gate, so prepare to wait there for a small eternity. Once your bags and yourself have been scanned and waived through, some sleazy vendors will approach you and will ask you to follow them and buy tickets from them and they will tell you some more things like VIP tour and blah, blah. Just ignore them and walk towards the main entrance where Chairman Mao's portrait is. The first bit of the Forbidden City is accessible at no charge. There you'll find loos, ticket offices, benches under some trees (no chance to get a seat) and the possibility to buy something to drink. The way in is not the way out. Once inside, you can't return. You have to walk to the right to find the exit and then follow a road along the wall and a river and you'll end up in an area with tourist shops. Don't shop at the first ones, whatever you want, need and like, you'll find it again and again at a better price. And try to haggle the price down. Never pay the amount they tell you. Because you're white and don't speak the language, they think you're rich and they'll try to rip you off.
It's a long way around to get back to Tian'anmen Square.
Once you have your ticket, you'll need to queue up again and have your bags, ticket and yourself checked. Then you're in! And the only way out is miles away. If you look at the map, you'll see the exit at the very north. Pretty bad if you parked your car somewhere near the entrance. It's a long way back. Alternatively, continue northwards and pay the Bell and Drum Towers a visit. It's a long walk to there too, but it's worth it. You'll discover a whole new area, which isn't mentioned in guide books.
Inside the walls, you'll soon discover that there are hordes of Chinese tourists from all over the country and very few foreigners, if any at all. Be prepared to be stared at and asked for a photo, or maybe not asked at all, they'll take photos of you anyway. You'll hear the cameras clicking. Don't be surprised, most visitors come from villages and small towns and haven't seen a foreigner in their lives.
My opinion? I have to say, that even if it's a fantastic place, I was a bit disappointed, because I had some images from various films in my head. Of course everything looks different and more spectacular in the movies.
If you would like to read more by me, here are my novel and my diary from Ar'ar, in the northern Saudi desert. Both available on Amazon as soft and hard copy.
Put some good walking shoes on, take a few bottles of water and a hat (or umbrella, like the Chinese) to protect your scalp from the burning sun (if you happen to go there in the summer), because you won't find shade and water anywhere in the Forbidden City.
Don't forget your passport. Like the border control guard in the German film 'Im Juli' says: No passport, no Romania! It's the same here. No passport, no tickets and therefore no access. Because we didn't know that, we went there once, were told the above mentioned line, and returned the following day with our shiny European passports.
There are some bags and luggage controls near the gate, so prepare to wait there for a small eternity. Once your bags and yourself have been scanned and waived through, some sleazy vendors will approach you and will ask you to follow them and buy tickets from them and they will tell you some more things like VIP tour and blah, blah. Just ignore them and walk towards the main entrance where Chairman Mao's portrait is. The first bit of the Forbidden City is accessible at no charge. There you'll find loos, ticket offices, benches under some trees (no chance to get a seat) and the possibility to buy something to drink. The way in is not the way out. Once inside, you can't return. You have to walk to the right to find the exit and then follow a road along the wall and a river and you'll end up in an area with tourist shops. Don't shop at the first ones, whatever you want, need and like, you'll find it again and again at a better price. And try to haggle the price down. Never pay the amount they tell you. Because you're white and don't speak the language, they think you're rich and they'll try to rip you off.
It's a long way around to get back to Tian'anmen Square.
Once you have your ticket, you'll need to queue up again and have your bags, ticket and yourself checked. Then you're in! And the only way out is miles away. If you look at the map, you'll see the exit at the very north. Pretty bad if you parked your car somewhere near the entrance. It's a long way back. Alternatively, continue northwards and pay the Bell and Drum Towers a visit. It's a long walk to there too, but it's worth it. You'll discover a whole new area, which isn't mentioned in guide books.
Inside the walls, you'll soon discover that there are hordes of Chinese tourists from all over the country and very few foreigners, if any at all. Be prepared to be stared at and asked for a photo, or maybe not asked at all, they'll take photos of you anyway. You'll hear the cameras clicking. Don't be surprised, most visitors come from villages and small towns and haven't seen a foreigner in their lives.
My opinion? I have to say, that even if it's a fantastic place, I was a bit disappointed, because I had some images from various films in my head. Of course everything looks different and more spectacular in the movies.
Maps
The entrance from afar.
Standing still no matter what happens around
Follow the crowds, not the Krauts.
Standing still
Inside the wall where the ticket offices are.
Do you see the bus on the left? There you can buy overpriced water.
Ticket offices
You need a ticket to get through the gate in the centre of the wall.
If you hear the words 'No passport, no Romania', oops, 'No passport, no tickets', you'll have to take the exit on the right and walk along here.
That's what you'll see on your long way around.
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Sleeping beauty with ignorant bodyguard.
This is what you'll see if you have a ticket.
Nice hat.
I am King!
No idea what the seats are for. There's nothing to see, just a square.
East meets West
Crazy European
What are they looking at?
Cute little girl.
Back alleys
Sleeping beauty with ignorant but mean looking bodyguard
If you would like to read more by me, here are my novel and my diary from Ar'ar, in the northern Saudi desert. Both available on Amazon as soft and hard copy.
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