This travel guide describes the Forbidden City including its history and major structures. Photos are aligned in order of your self-guided walking tour. Be aware China does not allow access to Google-based websites like Encircle Photos. So print this guide and map (using the printer icon) in advance of your trip. The entrance is at Meridian Gate and not the Jingshan Front Street address listed in most Internet sites (the latter is the exit). Although the Palace Museum admits up to 80,000 people daily, you can miss out if you show up in late afternoon during peak tourism season or after 3:30 on any day. Arriving early in the morning (opens at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday) is the best way to avoid the crowds and savor the experience for at least three to four hours. The Forbidden City is encircled by a moat. This tree-lined promenade along Beichizi Street and Donghuamen Road means you are only a few steps away from entering the Forbidden City.
