Kuan-Yu Chen

Tight security to enter, however a must see location to start day for a tour of The Forbidden City.

Wake up nice and early to see the Flag Raising, and walk through the gates to enter The Palace Museum.

When entering The Palace Museum there was a long line, so for timing wise make sure you go early. We found a tour guide that offered 100rmb per person (Chinese Guide) or 800rmb for 4 people person (English Guide).

Extremely large airport with a tight security, you must arrive a minimum of 2 hours before your flight.

It took me 1.5 hours to pass immigration. Arrived at 22:30pm and got to my gate at 00:00. It’s crazy, all the shops were already closed so we didn’t even go anywhere else it literally took us 90 minutes to check in, pass through immigration.

Make sure you scan and fill the declaration details when your are lining up to check in your luggage. The lines was long for security screening, followed by a bus to our gate when we had another security screening, declaration and immigration check.

There were soo many people late for their flight (45+ minutes) as they were still trying to pass immigration.

Once we got through the only shop open was Starbucks (24/7) with a long line, had to wait another 30 minutes in line as we thought there would at least be a convenience store open in a airport in Beijing.

Deep Cultural & Historical experience, entry into the temple was quick and you can collect incense as you walk in.

Very beautiful and well maintained considering how many people there were. Definitely recommend a tour guide to understand the history and architecture.

It’s an amazing Buddhist Temple which I highly recommend to go, the surrounding neighbourhood is also great for a walk with some culturally themed restaurants nearby.

Amazing sight to see but be prepared to ascend and descend very steep steps and slopes, but it’ll be all worth it.

“Highly recommend to bring your own water and food as it costs 3x the usual price”.

We traveled there on Monday and it was packed with people so I cannot imagine how it is on the weekends. If you want some good photos you will need to walk a fair bit as the area around the entrance is always full of people and the people will constantly walk through and get into your photos.

Travelled there with a tour group where they organised my entry ticket (ID required to enter).

140rmb/pp for return tickets on the Gondola and 130rmb/pp for the bus (Pick up from accommodation + bus to Great Wall, Summer Palace & Olympic Park)

Extraordinary experience full of culture, history and amazing architecture. The Forbidden City is massive and will take you an entire day to explore its wonders. I highly recommend finding a tour guide as this will greatly enhance your experience when visiting as you’ll learn about the history and wonders of this city.

There are several museum exhibitions within The Palace Museum to explore its cultural artefacts and many hidden spots to take memorable pictures.

Security was tight before entering, going through a checkpoint before entering Tian’anmen Square and another checkpoint before entering The Palace Museum (Required purchasing a ticket before entering).

There are different areas within The Palace Museum which requires booking (Not included in Entrance Ticket), I recommend asking your tour guide prior to booking if you want to go. This includes a artefact museum and a clock museum or even to walk on top of the walls of The Palace Museum.

If you didn’t book a tour guide in advance there are tour guides right as you enter, some working for The Palace Museum but also some individuals. We found a tour guide that offered 100rmb per person (Chinese Guide) or 800rmb for 4 people person (English Guide).