Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City Tour with Tickets review
What the tour is like
You start at Tiananmen Square, the vast open space south of the Meridian Gate. A security check is required to enter the square itself—you need the passport you are carrying. The guide takes you through the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Mausoleum, and the south side of Tiananmen Gate. Then you walk north through the square’s security, cross into the Forbidden City at the Meridian Gate (another security check here), and continue through the palace at a steady pace. The whole thing is one continuous walk; you do not backtrack. Tiananmen Square is genuinely worth the detour—it is where the proclamation to open the republic was read—and seeing it before the palace gives the palace context. But two security checks and the extra walking add time. Five-thousand-nine-hundred-thirty-five reviews at 4.8 stars confirm most people think it is worth it.
What works
- 5,935 reviews at 4.8 stars — traveller-tested
- Two iconic sites (square and palace) covered in one tour
- Multiple language guides available
- Entry tickets included for both
- One continuous walk, no backtracking
- Pickup available
Worth knowing
- Two separate security checks mean queuing twice
- A lot of walking in one morning
- The square can be crowded in peak season
- Longer day than the palace-only tour
Start early if you can. The morning light in the square is better, and the crowds are thinner. Bring water and sunscreen — both the square and the walk to the palace have almost no shade. The square alone takes 45 minutes to an hour; the palace takes 2–3 hours more.
Who it’s for
First-time visitors who want to see both the square and the palace in one trip. Visitors with limited time in Beijing. Anyone interested in modern Chinese history. If you want only the palace and no square, the guided tour is simpler. If you want a full day with the Temple of Heaven as well, see the full-day option.
Other tours to consider
Most bookedForbidden City Tour (Group or Private) with Tickets Included
Full dayTemple of Heaven, Tiananmen and Forbidden City Day Tour
Lowest priceForbidden City Guided Tour with Entry Ticket, Tiananmen Optional
Frequently asked questions
Is Tiananmen Square inside the Forbidden City?
No. They are separate. Tiananmen Square is south of the Forbidden City’s south gate (the Meridian Gate). You need a separate security check to enter the square, and another to enter the palace. But they are so close that seeing both in one tour makes sense.
Will the two security checks waste a lot of time?
Plan 10–15 minutes for each, depending on crowds. It’s not ideal, but it’s the only way to see both. The guide will walk you through both.
How much time is spent on the square vs. the palace?
Roughly one hour on the square (it is large), 2–3 hours on the palace depending on your option and pace. The whole thing is one walk with no backtracking.