พระราชวังต้องห้าม (Forbidden City) : Beijing

If we talk about one of the landmarks that anyone who visits Beijing must “visit at least once in their life”, it must be the Forbidden City, or known as Gugong (故宫), a place full of history, grandeur, and the atmosphere of the Chinese dynasty that still remains miraculously. To visit the Forbidden City is not easy because you need to book tickets 7 days in advance through the museum’s official website (foreigners can buy tickets at the venue, but it is recommended to book online). There are only two rounds of tickets sold per day and a limit of 40,000 visitors per round. For those who plan to visit Beijing, it is recommended to lock in a specific date and book in advance. We started our journey today from Tiananmen Square in front of the palace, which required quite strict security, card checks, passport checks, and luggage scans at several points before entering the inner palace area. When we stepped inside, the grandeur of the ancient palace architecture appeared in front of us. The area inside is very large and complex. If anyone is not into walking around and visiting museums in detail, You can choose to walk in a straight line to see important spots such as Wumen Gate, Taihedian Hall, and the Back Garden of the Palace within 1-2 hours. There are many souvenir shops inside, as well as small cafes and snack shops. But if you want to feel more relaxed, we recommend buying some bread or snacks from outside and finding a corner in the garden inside to feel the breeze and absorb the atmosphere of the ancient Chinese dynasty. Overall, the Forbidden City is one of the places that is truly worth visiting, whether you are a history buff, a photographer, or a chill person. This is the place where you can experience the glory of the past up close and fully. 📍 Additional advice: • Prepare your passport. You can scan it to enter without using a paper ticket. • Don't forget to bring drinking water, a hat, or an umbrella, especially if you come in the summer. • Download the palace map to your phone. It will help you walk with a more targeted goal. #VisitBeijing