Forbidden City
Tourist attraction · Donghuamen ·
Vast, well-preserved imperial palace complex, former home to emperors
Vast, well-preserved imperial palace complex, former home to emperors
"Expect major crowds—you’ll be joining 40,000 visitors a day—so book timed-entry tickets online in advance and go early or late when tour groups thin out; bring your passport, as ID is required for entry." - Scott Campbell
"You may not necessarily think of the Forbidden City as haunted, but ghost hunters know better. Though crowded with visitors during the day, the ancient complex closes every evening – and that's when things get interesting. More than a few night watchmen have reported the apparition of a woman dressed in white, sobbing as she wanders the grounds. Others claimed to have cornered a woman dressed in black and ordered her to turn around, only to see an intruder with no face. Still not convinced? Take a tour and ask your guide why the thresholds are all so high. (Spoiler alert: Ghosts can't jump.)" - Travel + Leisure Editors
"This vast imperial palace complex, home to Chinese emperors for five centuries, is steeped in history and mystery; it is typically closed at night, which adds to its mystique. Among the most persistent tales is that of a ghostly woman in white whose cries were reportedly heard inside the palace as early as the 1940s, a legend that contributes to its spooky allure for visitors and historians alike." - Alison Fox Alison Fox Alison Fox is a Travel + Leisure contributor. She has also written for Parents.com, The Wall Street Journal, and amNewYork. When she’s not in New York City, she can be found at the beach or on the slopes. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"The Forbidden City, a massive complex that forms the very core of Beijing, was the center of national power for five centuries. From the overall design to the colors to the number of brass orbs on each door, all things were considered, calculated, and created with an emphasis on auspicious symbolism. Today, it is an awe-inspiring testament to a glorious past. Make sure to purchase your tickets in advance online and check out the hours of operation to be the first in line — 80,000 people visit the complex daily. Note that the beautifully renovated Qianlong Garden is worth looking for. To get a sense of how the Forbidden City became open to the public, watch The Last Emperor (1987)." - MATADOR_NETWORK
"While living in Tokyo after fleeing mainland China, the proprietor and her husband ran a sizable, 350-seat Chinese restaurant in the city center that served as their family business and base while their children attended an American school, giving her early practical restaurant experience overseas." - Belinda Leong
