Optimal Visiting Times and Dates to Avoid

As a World Heritage Site, the Palace Museum (also known as the Forbidden City) attracts tens of millions of visitors annually. The number of visitors continues to increase each year. 

  During peak visiting times, some visitors complain that large crowds negatively affect their experience. If you wish to plan an optimal time to visit, the Museum offers several suggestions to help you plan a pleasant visiting experience.

Dates with Fewer Visitors

From November 1st - March 31st the Museum receives significantly fewer visitors than April 1st - October 31st.

Times to Avoid

Every day from 10:00am to 1:00pm, the Museum receives the highest numbers of daily visitors.

Dates to Avoid

The following seasons and dates receive the most visitors. If you intend to avoid large crowds, the Museum suggests you plan your visit on alternative dates. National holidays and traditional Chinese holidays often draw large crowds. You may wish to avoid these peak visiting times. Since traditional Chinese holidays are based on the lunar calendar, please be sure to check the Internet for specific dates on the Gregorian calendar. National state holidays are based on the Gregorian calendar and remain the same each year.

Chinese Summer Vacation (July 1st - August 31st)

Chinese schools are on summer vacation from July 1st – August 31st. During this time, the Museum receives greater numbers of visitors. 

National State Holidays

May Day (May 1st)

This holiday is every May 1st. The holiday break lasts for three days and often makes for a three-day weekend. Please check the Internet for specific dates.

National Day (October 1st)

This holiday is every October 1st. The holiday break lasts for seven days. These seven days usually include a full workweek and a weekend. Please check the Internet for specific dates. 

National Traditional Holidays

Chinese New Year 

Also known as the Spring Festival, the festival includes a seven-day national holiday that usually falls in January or February. The dates vary each year. These seven days usually include a full workweek and a weekend.

Tomb Sweeping Day

Also known as the Qingming Festival, the three-day holiday break usually falls on the 4th or 5th of April. This holiday sometimes makes for a three-day weekend. The dates vary each year.

Dragon Boat Festival

Also known as the Double Fifth Festival, the three-day holiday break usually falls in June. This holiday sometimes makes for a three-day weekend. The dates vary each year. 

Mid-Autumn Festival

This festival (sometimes commonly called the Mooncake Festival) usually falls in September or October. This holiday sometimes makes for a three-day weekend. The dates vary each year.

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Monday Closure

The Museum is CLOSED Monday.

Please see the website for specific visiting hours.

Online Ticketing

To obtain admission tickets, please remember to book your admission tickets online in advance.

Online Ticketing: https://ticket.dpm.org.cn/  (see "Ticketing Notice" )