How to Get to Forbidden City | Transportation Guide 2024/2025

Forbidden City, a majestic imperial palace that once housed the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for centuries. To fully appreciate its grandeur and history, understanding the transportation options is crucial. The following Forbidden City Transportation Guide will provide you with invaluable information about how to get to the Forbidden City, explore its vast grounds, and reach nearby attractions. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, our comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge to make the most of your experience. From public transportation options to Forbidden City private tours, we've got you covered!

Where is Forbidden City

The Forbidden City is rightly located on the central axis of Beijing, an international transportation hub with 2 airports and 7 train stations. You can easily get there and transfer to other attractions by taxi, subway, bus, bicycle, walk, etc.

• about 10 m (about 5 minutes on foot) from Jingshan Park
• about 1 km (about 10 minutes on foot) from Tiananmen Square
• about 4 km (about 10 minutes by car) from Temple of Heaven
• about 5 km (about 15 minutes by car) from Lama Temple
• about 15 km (about 30 minutes by car) from Beijing Olympic Park
• about 20 km (about 40 minutes by car) from Summer Palace
• about 70 km (about 1.5 hours by car) from Mutianyu Great Wall

Beijing Attractions Map

How to Transfer by Public Transportation

The Forbidden City has four gates, and visitors can only enter it through Meridian Gate (South) and exit from the Gate of Divine Prowess (North) or Donghua Gate (East). Here are the public transportation means of different gates, due to the changeable of traffic information, the following information is only for your reference.

Meridian Gate (Entrance)

Metro: The nearest station is Tiananmen East (Line 1). Take Exit C and follow the signs for a 10-minute walk.

Bus: Numerous buses stop near the Forbidden City, including lines 1, 2, 52, 82, 120, J1, etc.

Gate of Divine Prowess (Exit)

Bus: Buses stop near the Gate of Divine Prowess, including lines 58, 101, 103, 109, etc.

Donghua Gate (Exit)

Bus: Some buses stop near the Donghua Gate, including lines 2, 82, etc.

Our Guests from America Visiting Meridian Gate in 2017

Travel to Forbidden City with China Discovery - Top Recommended

Although the Forbidden City is located in the center of the Beijing city, since you may encounter troublesome traffic jam or language barriers along your way to the Forbidden City, China Discovery offers private car service for every customer visiting Forbidden City. As part of our valuable Beijing tour packages, our skilled driver and experienced guide will pick you up wherever you are in Beijing including the airport, train stations, and busy scenic areas, etc. It's time-saving and much more safe and you will be escorted all the way to Forbidden City with comfortable travelling experience and professional travelling guidance. If you need any help, please feel free to contact us >>

China Discovery's Local Private Transfer

Forbidden City Location Map

From Beijing Airports to Forbidden City

There are two main airports in Beijing serving passengers, one is Beijing Capital International Airport, which is about 30 km away from the Forbidden City, and the other is Beijing Daxing International Airport, which is about 50 km away from the Forbidden City. You can transfer from Beijing Capital and Daxing airports to Forbidden City by China Discovery’s private transfer, taxi, subway, shuttle buses or High Speed Train.

If you need more information about public transportation from Beijing Capital and Daxing Airports to the Forbidden City, you can get more information from How to Transfer from Beijing Capital and Daxing Airports to Forbidden City >>

From Beijing Railway Stations to Forbidden City

There are three main railway stations near the Forbidden City: Beijing Railway Station is about 4km from Forbidden City; Beijing West Railway Station is about 9km from Forbidden City; Beijing South Railway Station is about 10km from Forbidden City. You can transfer from the above Beijing railway stations to Forbidden City by China Discovery’s private transfer, taxi, subway and buses. Learn more information about Beijing Train Stations - Layout, Location, Transportation & High Speed Trains >>

From Tiananmen Square to Forbidden City

The Tiananmen Square is right in the city center and the south of the Forbidden City. It is only about 1km away and can be reached directly on foot (about 10 minutes). Tiananmen Square is usually visited before the Forbidden City, and after visiting the square, you can go directly from Tiananmen to the Meridian Gate (Entrance) of the Forbidden City.

From Temple of Heaven to Forbidden City

Temple of Heaven in the south is also close to the Forbidden City and is only about 4 km (about 10 minutes by car). You can also take the metro line 8 from Tianqiao Station (天桥站) to Jinyu Hutong Station (金鱼胡同站) then walk to the Forbidden City, which takes about 40 minutes. Bus lines 2 and 120 from Tiantan West Station (天坛西站) to Tian'anmen East Station (天安门东站), then walk to the Forbidden city, which takes about 50 minutes.

From Summer Palace to Forbidden City

The Summer Palace is located in the northwest of the Forbidden City, about 20 km (about 40 minutes by car) from the Forbidden City. The unexpected traffic jam may happen if you want to get to the Forbidden City during the peak hours or on weekend and holidays. You can take metro line 4 at Beigongmen Station (北宫门站) and transfer at Xidan Station (西单站) to take line 1 and stop at Tian'anmen West Station (天安门西站), then walk to the Forbidden city, which takes about 1 hour. The bus duration is too long and not recommended.

How to Plan Your Beijing Tour

Besides Forbidden City, there are many other attractions in Beijing offering you the same marvellous views. You can visit the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven to witness the royal buildings of the ancient China empire, hike on the incredible Great Wall, and wander along the traditional hutongs to experience the authentic local life...all of your dreams about Beijing can be tangible in our Beijing tours. If you have more days, you should not miss Great Wall - the must-go place in Beijing, and explore more hidden attractions in Beijing city.>> See more Beijing attractions.

If you have any other questions or ideas, please feel free to contact us. We are specialized in customized tours according to your own interests, budgets, and traveling time. Our professional travel consultants are always ready to help!

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Our Guest from New Zealand Visiting Temple of Heaven in June, 2021

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