Landmark

Forbidden City

Beijing, China

Best timeApr–May & Sep–Oct

Set inBeijing, China

In season~77°F high

Climate16–91°F

Fares from$1374

Nearest airportPEK

CurrencyCNY

LanguageMandarin Chinese

TimezoneUTC+08:00

On the map

Map showing the location of Forbidden City

Directions (Google Maps) →

Historical monthly weather

Sunny share of daylightDec · 79%

WarmestJun · 91°F

WettestJul

Best windowApr–May & Sep–Oct

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Bar height is the typical daytime high; color shows sunny share of daylight. The shaded months are the ideal window to go.

Weather data & source

2018–2023 averages, not a forecast. Wet days estimate days with at least 1 mm of rain or snow using a calibrated ERA5 threshold. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (AWS Open Data, CC BY 4.0). Sunny share of daylight is calibrated from daytime cloud cover. ERA5 via Open-Meteo AWS Open Data

Forbidden City: visitors crossing a vast courtyard before golden-roofed halls

The vast imperial palace at the heart of Beijing, home to 24 emperors.

Best time to visit

Two separate windows work best: Apr–May & Sep–Oct. Pick the one that matches what you came for.

Pairs well with

China Media Group Guanghua Road Office Area

Beijing National Stadium

National Library of China

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Forbidden City?

The best time to visit Forbidden City is April–May & September–October, in Beijing, China.

Where is Forbidden City?

Forbidden City is in Beijing, China. The nearest major airport is PEK.

What is Forbidden City known for?

The vast imperial palace at the heart of Beijing, home to 24 emperors.

Explore Beijing →

Featured in

World History Sites

Palaces & Royal Residences

Forbidden City: the golden Dragon Throne between red columns in the Palace of Heavenly Purity