The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City is the vast imperial palace at the very heart of Beijing, the seat of the Chinese emperors for nearly five centuries from the Ming to the last Qing ruler, and the largest palace complex in the world. A UNESCO masterpiece of Chinese architecture, its sprawling succession of golden-roofed ceremonial halls, red-walled courtyards, gates and gardens, once forbidden to ordinary people, offers an overwhelming sense of imperial power and ceremony.

What you actually see

• The great ceremonial halls - the golden-roofed throne halls on marble terraces.
• The courtyards and gates - the vast red-walled courts and ornate gates.
• The Imperial Garden - the tranquil garden at the palace's rear.
• The treasures - the imperial collections in the palace museum.

When to go

Spring and autumn for the mildest weather; go early on a weekday to beat the vast crowds. Tickets are timed, capped and must be booked online in advance with your passport, so plan ahead, as walk-up is not possible.

Honest expectations

Tickets are capped, timed and must be booked online in advance with your passport, and it sells out, so plan ahead; there is no walk-up. It is enormous and extremely crowded, so wear good shoes and pace yourself along the long central axis. It closes on Mondays. A guide or audio guide greatly enriches the visit.

Nearby

Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven and the hutong lanes are in Beijing.