Amazing part of beijing. My only regret is that I didn't do a guided tour, as we had to wait a long time in line to get tickets but people who do guided tours get to skip the line.

Very expansive facility and fairly well maintained. Can get quite crowded. Lots of walking. Palace of the last emperor and about 10,000 rooms. Impressive stone work as well as wooden structures. Definitely a must see. Quite a cultural experience.

Absolutely awesome, just go and see it, can’t be adequately described in words. Spend as much time as you can and take a guide.

A must see, but best to be viewed with an expert guide who can tell you what the significance of the individual buildings was. Our Guide, Nick, was able to point out who lived where, what all the different doors meant, who was allowed to...More

To fully appreciate the palace you need a full days visit to explore beyond the main buildings. Having said that the usual 2 to 3 hours tour shows you the principal halls, the Emperors very modest living quarters and his private gardens. If possible climb...More

Impressive and a tour guide needed, there are English audios to help and signs in English too. If I am critical it is the amount of other visitors where you shuffle more than walk. Plan for a couple of hours and bring your passport. The...More

Huge throngs of tourists tend to crush up in waves (as their tour guides address their groups en masse, detail the next site to be seen, and folks quickly scurry) to peer from the cordoned windows and doorways into the various Imperial chambers, banquet halls,...More