Use WeChat to Buy Forbidden City Tickets as a Foreign Visitor

May 4, 2026
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How to Buy Forbidden City Entrance Tickets as a Foreign Visitor

Forbidden City tickets go on sale 7 days in advance through the official online platform: the “Palace Museum” WeChat Mini Program. Tickets are released daily at 8:00 PM. To purchase, you will need:

  • WeChat installed on your phone
  • WeChat Pay enabled
  • Your passport ready

Step 1: Set Up WeChat for English

  1. Open WeChat and tap “Me”, then “Settings”.
  2. Set the language to English.
  3. Enable auto-translate messages received in chats—this will help translate messages into English automatically.

Step 2: Find the “Palace Museum” Mini Program

  1. In WeChat, search for “Gugong” (the Chinese name for the Palace Museum).
  2. Look for “故宫博物院” in the top search results.
  3. Tap “故宫门票预约” if more options appear, and select the one highlighted in the red circle.

Step 3: Use Translation Function in the Mini Program

  1. Open the Mini Program and tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
  2. Choose Translate. Now all instructions, including “What to know about booking tickets”, will appear in English.
  3. Click “I have read and agreed” to start booking.

Step 4: Booking Your Tickets

  1. Click “Buy Tickets” (highlighted in red).
  2. First-time users will need to verify their mobile phone number.
  3. Select your visit date and choose either morning or afternoon tickets.
  4. Enter all visitors’ passport information in advance, especially during peak season, to save time and avoid errors.
  5. Choose the ticket type:
    • Standard Entrance Ticket (most common)
    • Treasure Museum Ticket
    • Watch and Clock Ticket

Step 5: Payment

  • For overseas visitors, WeChat Pay can be tricky. The easiest method is to get authorization from a friend in China.
  • After payment, your order details—including visitor names and order number—will appear.

Step 6: On the Day of Your Visit

  • Simply scan your passport at the ticket check machine to enter.

Tips for Foreign Visitors:

  • Tickets sell out quickly, especially during holidays. Plan ahead and avoid peak days.
  • Common challenges include mobile phone verification and WeChat Pay setup. To avoid hassle, you can contact us for support.