CHINA 5A TRAVEL
The palace reads along a single line — south to north, Meridian Gate to Gate of Divine Prowess, never backwards — so your route, slot and pace shape the whole day. The plans below blend the museum's official itineraries with field-tested traveler experience.
Suggested Itinerary
- 2 hours — The Central Axis
Meridian Gate → Gate of Supreme Harmony → Halls of Supreme, Central and Preserving Harmony → Palace of Heavenly Purity → Hall of Union → Palace of Earthly Tranquility → Imperial Garden → Gate of Divine Prowess. The imperial procession, unmissable. - Half day — Palaces & Galleries
The axis above plus the Six Western Palaces with Cixi's original-state rooms, the Treasure Gallery and the Clock Museum with its live windings — the sweet spot for most first visits. - Full day — The Deep Palace
All of the above, plus the Ningshou quarter (Nine-Dragon Wall, opera stage, Well of Concubine Zhen), the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Painting Gallery's special exhibitions and a Corner Tower Café break — exiting to Jingshan Park for the sunset panorama.
What to See
Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe Dian)
China's largest surviving timber hall — the Dragon Throne beneath a coffered ceiling of golden dragons, raised on the palace's grandest marble terrace.
The Great Marble Ramp
Behind the Hall of Preserving Harmony, a 200-tonne cloud-dragon slab carved from a single block of stone — hauled to Beijing over winter ice roads.
The Inner Court Trio
Palace of Heavenly Purity (the emperors' residence), the Hall of Union safekeeping 25 imperial seals, and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, the imperial wedding chamber.
Hall of Mental Cultivation (Yangxin Dian)
From Yongzheng onward, every emperor lived and ruled from these halls — back on show after a decade of meticulous restoration.
Treasure Gallery (Zhenbao Guan)
Qianlong-era splendour in his retirement quarter — golden pagodas, giant jades and pearl-studded regalia, often the calmest corner of the museum.
Clock & Watch Gallery (Zhongbiao Guan)
Palace-made and European timepieces of the 18th century; winding demonstrations at 11:00 and 14:00 set several chiming in motion.
Photo Gallery
Tips from Real Travelers
Food & Drink
Peking Roast Duck
The capital's signature, lacquered and carved tableside — Quanjude's 1864 flagship at Qianmen, or the duck houses a stroll from the east exit.
Zhajiang Noodles
Hand-pulled noodles under dark fermented-soybean paste with crisp vegetable shavings — the Beijinger's everyday bowl.
Jianbing
The griddle-cooked crepe of mung-bean batter, egg and crisps folded with hoisin and chili — the classic breakfast before an 08:30 entry.
Imperial Snacks & the Corner Tower Café
Aiwowo glutinous rice sweets and pea-flour wandouhuang at century-old counters, plus palace-themed coffee and corner-tower ice cream inside the walls.
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