The Forbidden City is Open
Early start today so we can enjoy a less crowded visit of Jingshan Park immediately north of the Forbidden City. We climbed all the way to the top of the hill to enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the Forbidden City.
Morning at Jingshan Park
On our way back we caught up with the elderly. They gather in the imperial park for their morning routine of relaxing, dancing or performing the slow and graceful movements of tai chi.
The Forbidden City
The next highlight of our Beijing exploration was the Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum. The north gate is exit only as the museum operates a one-way policy since 2011. So we walked to the South Gate also called Meridian Gate. Soon enough, we were queuing at the ticket office. The tickets in our pockets and the audio guide in our ears, we were ready to explore the 8,000 rooms. You can spend an hour or a full day within those walls. We settled for a few hours as we felt hungry.
Peking Duck Lunch
For lunch, we tried the famous Peking duck. It's very different from the crispy duck we eat back home. Full of flavour, tender and juicy but not really crispy. Elegantly carved at your table, the skin and the meat are separated. The skin is accompanied by white sugar. The meat, on the other hand, can be consumed with garlic and the delicious plum sauce. So yummy.
Summer Palace Adventure
After such a lunch, we felt the need for some exercise. The Summer Palace, considered one of the grandest Chinese gardens, was the perfect afternoon spot. As we arrived late, most of the museums and attractions were closed but the crowd was also gone. The deserted park was just for ourselves. The scenery is gorgeous from dawn to dusk. So there is no best time to see it. With the sunset coming fast, we ended up in the dark and in the middle of nowhere. We had to walk through the park with the flashlight of our smartphones. That was the perfect way to finish a busy but brilliant day...
Visiting the Forbidden City & Summer Palace
- Start early! Visit Jingshan Park first for panoramic views of the Forbidden City with fewer crowds
- Climb Jingshan Hill for breathtaking views over the entire Forbidden City complex
- Watch locals practicing tai chi and dancing in the imperial park in the morning
- Forbidden City entrance: Use South Gate (Meridian Gate) - North gate is exit only since 2011
- Rent an audio guide at the ticket office - essential for understanding the 8,000+ rooms
- The Forbidden City operates a one-way policy - plan your route accordingly
- Allow 2-4 hours for the Forbidden City depending on your interest level
- Peking Duck: Skin served with white sugar, meat with garlic and plum sauce - very different from Western crispy duck!
- Summer Palace: One of China's grandest gardens - beautiful from dawn to dusk
- Arrive late afternoon for fewer crowds, but bring a smartphone flashlight as the park closes at dusk!
Note:
Pin These Moments
🏯 Forbidden City
Exploring the magnificent imperial palace with 8,000 rooms and stunning golden roofs
🦆 Peking Duck
Trying authentic Peking duck in Beijing - skin with sugar, meat with plum sauce!
🏞️ Summer Palace
Getting lost in China's grandest garden as sunset turns to darkness - flashlight adventure!
Have you visited the Forbidden City? Did you climb Jingshan Hill for the view? Have you tried authentic Peking duck? Did you get lost in the Summer Palace at sunset? Share your Beijing imperial adventures!