The Palace Museum: A 600-Year Journey Through Royal Treasures, How Many Secrets Dare You Uncover?

⛰【Attraction Guide】 📍Detailed Address: No. 4 Jingshan Qian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 🚗Transportation Guide: 1. Public Transport: · Subway: Line 1 to Tiananmen East Station, Exit B/C, about a 10-minute walk to the Meridian Gate · Bus: Routes 1, 2, 52, 120 to Tiananmen East or West Station 2. Taxi/Self-driving: · Recommended drop-off points: Donghuamen or Hanting Hotel (East Gate of the Labor People's Cultural Palace), then walk to the Meridian Gate · Parking: Jingshan Back Street Public Parking Lot (parking spaces are limited, public transport is recommended) 3. Tour Routes: · Classic Central Axis: Meridian Gate → Hall of Supreme Harmony → Palace of Heavenly Purity → Imperial Garden → Gate of Divine Might (about 2 hours) · In-depth East and West Six Palaces: East Six Palaces (Zhongcui Palace, Yanxi Palace) or West Six Palaces (Chuxiu Palace, Yikun Palace), ideal for exploring the life of the imperial harem 🕙Opening Hours: · Peak Season (April 1 - October 31): · Open: 08:30-17:00 · Last ticket check: 16:10 · Off-season (November 1 - March 31): · Open: 08:30-16:30 · Last ticket check: 15:40 · Closed on Mondays (except public holidays and summer vacation) · Special Spring Festival arrangement: Closed on New Year's Eve, open from the first to the seventh day of the lunar new year, closing at 16:30 💰Ticket Prices: 1. Regular Tickets: · Peak season: 60 RMB/person; Off-season: 40 RMB/person (excludes Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery) · Treasure Gallery/Clock Gallery: 10 RMB/person each 2. Discounts: · Free admission: Under 18, seniors over 60 (with reservation), active military personnel, disabled persons, etc. · Half price: Students (with ID), seniors over 60 (off-season), etc. 3. Annual Pass: 300 RMB/year (valid for 10 entries, excludes special exhibition halls), must register one day in advance 4. Reservation Method: Book 7 days in advance via the "Palace Museum" WeChat mini-program, real-name ticket purchase, no same-day purchase allowed 🌟Highlights: 1. Special Exhibition Recommendation: · "Jade from Kunlun—Qing Dynasty Court Hetian Jade Culture Special Exhibition" (Jan 7, 2025 - Jan 4, 2026): Located in the Zhai Palace, a mysterious palace open for the first time, displaying 258 Qing Dynasty Hetian jade artifacts, including the Qianlong Emperor’s inscribed jade mountain and Han Dynasty white jade pixiu 2. Permanent Exhibitions: · Treasure Gallery: Showcases jewelry and jade from the Ningshou Palace area, such as the "Great Qing Imperial Seal" jade seal · Clock Gallery: Displays Qing Dynasty court clocks in the Fengxian Hall, exquisite craftsmanship 3. Architecture and Scenery: · Three Great Halls on the Central Axis (Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony, Hall of Preserving Harmony): Experience royal grandeur · Imperial Garden: Ming and Qing royal garden with distinct seasonal scenery 4. Cultural Experience: · Ice Cellar Restaurant: Imperial cuisine with modern twists, recommended dishes include fried sauce noodles and Palace Museum specialty afternoon tea · Corner Tower Café: Cultural-themed cakes and coffee, perfect for photo ops 📌Practical Tips: 1. Avoid Peak Times: · Morning: Arrive before 08:30 to avoid tour group crowds · Afternoon: Enter after 14:00 when the central axis is less crowded, ideal for photography 2. Essentials: · ID card (required for ticket check), comfortable sports shoes, sunscreen, power bank · Bring your own snacks (food inside the attraction is expensive, Palace Museum restaurant bento recommended) 3. Guided Services: · Audio guide: 20 RMB/device (rental at Meridian Gate/Gate of Divine Might), supports multiple languages · Personal guide: 250 RMB for up to 5 people, suitable for in-depth tours 4. Notes: · Prohibited items: drones, pets, bottled water in glass containers · Civilized visiting: Do not touch artifacts, no flash photography or tripods inside exhibition halls