5 Tips for Visiting The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City is a must-see in Beijing. We've been here almost two years but we were only able to properly visit it this Spring. It's about twenty minutes away by Didi (China's version of Uber) from Shuangjing, where we live. It's a massive, sprawling, magnificent site to visit, so here are a few tips to make your visit a little bit less overwhelming.

1. Don't go on Mondays, the weekend, or Chinese holidays

The Forbidden City is closed every Monday. As for the other days, if you're agoraphobic like me, listen up. We had to wait in line for half an hour for the security check. Take my advice and don't go during the weekend or the holidays, or WINTER (If you know me from Instagram, you know I AM NOT A FAN). Come during the Spring, when there's a nice breeze. Photos will be much prettier if you're not semi-contorted trying to hold on to every ounce of heat your body has generated.

Plus, you'll need to go through at least two security checks before you actually get into the complex, so by then you'll be exhausted, sweaty, and very grumpy if you have to go through it with a million other people in a queue.

2. Bring drinking water

I can't stress this enough, the Forbidden City is HUGE. You'll be walking for at least two hours, and even though there are some stalls inside where you can buy water and soft serve ice cream, it's better to bring your own water than queue up to buy overpriced refreshments inside. Plus, you won't have to deal with the language barrier, although if you have no choice, most of them have calculators they hold up to show you how much your snacks are.

3. Know something about The Forbidden City

"There's NOTHING there!", said one of my friends when I told them about our visit. Well sure, the structures are mostly empty, but you have to appreciate how enormous the grounds were. The architecture was plenty impressive, and that was undoubtedly my favorite part. There was also an exhibition of the emperor's nuptial chambers, but what really caught my eye was how intricate the structures were. They looked powerful and graceful at the same time.Actually, the Forbidden City is the largest comprehensive museum in China. But because of the fragile architecture it's not easy to adapt it for use in modern exhibitions. That means the design can't take any air conditioning, light, or fire exits  It seems they've found a way to remedy this, but we decided not to visit that part of the complex. (PEOPLE WERE SHOVING EACH OTHER!)I am so intrigued by the carvings on the roof! Apparently the more animals in the "procession", signifies the importance of the person living under it.It's not hard to imagine what kind of business went on in this compound. With the many courtyards and gates and stairways, it's a place where armies were assembled, prisoners of war were presented, and festivals were celebrated. It's opulent and functional at the same time.

4. Come early

Confession time! We tried to visit the Forbidden City back in March 2017, but we didn't know it closed at 3 PM! So even though we were in a long queue for the security check, we really didn't get past the gate and ended up exploring Beihai Park next door instead (It was lovely!). This time, we paid a visit in the afternoon only to realize that we could've gone up to Jingshan Park for a bird's eye view! It was still a good visit, but all the walking took a toll on us--plus we had the baby!

5. Have an exit strategy

Transportation from the Forbidden City back to your hotel or another place should absolutely be arranged beforehand. Subway and bus stations are nearby, but you will be exhausted from walking through the complex, it's better to have a private car that can you won't have to share with anyone.We took a Didi to and from, and both times we had to be picked up and dropped off at least a block away from the Forbidden City's entrance/exit. It felt like my shoes were filled with blood by the end of the day. ?

Bonus tip: Don't forget to bring your passport!

It's super important! You need it to buy tickets. We've heard some talk about pickpockets taking advantage of tourists too, so keep a close eye on your bags and things.Hope these tips help when you decide to visit The Forbidden City! Leave a comment below if you've been, I'd love to hear about your visit to Beijing!