The Forbidden City is vast, covering 72 hectares. Depending on your interest level and walking pace, a visit can range from a quick two-hour highlight tour to a full-day historical deep-dive.
The "Highlights" Route. Focus on the central axis and the Three Great Halls. Perfect if you have a tight schedule in Beijing.
The "Balanced" Route. Covers the central axis plus one additional area, such as the Treasure Gallery or the residential palaces.
The "Enthusiast" Route. Explore all three axes, the Imperial Garden, and multiple museum galleries. For history and photography fans.
On weekends and public holidays, moving through the main courtyards can take significantly longer due to the sheer volume of visitors. Expect slower progress during peak summer months.
The Treasure Gallery and the Hall of Clocks require an additional hour each if you want to properly view the collections. These are located on the eastern side of the palace.
The palace grounds involve a lot of walking on uneven stone pavement. Factor in rest stops, especially if visiting with children or elderly companions.
If you enjoy listening to the full audio guide narration or setting up perfect photography shots, add at least 30-50% more time to any standard route.
Pro Tip: Enter as early as possible (8:30 AM) to beat the group tours, which usually arrive between 10 AM and 11 AM.