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Practical guide

Forbidden City: book with your passport, then use the manual gate

Use the English Palace Museum site, carry the same original ID, and head for Meridian Gate.

Beijing’s 12345 hotline FAQ says foreign visitors can switch to the English version of the official Palace Museum website to book using a passport. On the visit day, it says to bring the original valid ID used for booking and enter through the manual ticket-checking channel at Meridian Gate, the South Gate. Booking availability and entry arrangements are live conditions, so confirm them with the Palace Museum before you leave.

A clear next step

  1. Open the English version of the official Palace Museum website and use your passport for the reservation flow.
  2. Bring the original valid ID used for the booking.
  3. Go to the manual ticket-checking channel at Meridian Gate (South Gate) and confirm live entry arrangements before travel.

Sources & verification

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Questions

What to keep in mind.

Does this guide guarantee a ticket for a particular day?

No. Availability and entry arrangements are live conditions; verify them in the official Palace Museum channel before travel.