Visitor Guidelines
To effectively implement the new-era principles of “prioritizing conservation, strengthening management, unlocking value, promoting effective use, and revitalizing cultural heritage,” it is essential to authentically and holistically protect the outstanding traditional Chinese culture represented by the Palace Museum. This includes maintaining orderly visits, and ensuring the safety of historical structures, cultural relics, and visitors. This Notice has been formulated in accordance with relevant laws and regulations of China as well as the practical circumstances of the Museum. Visitors are kindly requested to observe the following:
I. Ticketing and Admission
*The Palace Museum has not authorized any third-party institutions or individuals to sell admission tickets (including general admission, the Gallery of Clocks, and the Treasure Gallery) or arrange exhibition bookings. To ensure smooth entry and avoid financial loss, please book tickets and exhibitions through the official “Palace Museum” mini-program.
1. The Palace Museum does not sell same-day tickets. Tickets (including general admission, the Gallery of Clocks, and the Treasure Gallery) and exhibitions can be booked from 8 p.m., seven days prior to the visit, valid only on the reserved date. The Palace Museum is closed on Mondays (except public holidays). Visitors should plan visits accordingly.
2. Real-name booking and verification are required for entry. All visitors, including those eligible for concessions and accompanying persons, must book with real-name identification. Annual pass holders must register at least one day prior to the visit.
3. Visitors from China’s mainland must use their Resident ID Cards for bookings. Visitors from outside China’s mainland must use valid identity documents such as Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, Mainland Travel Permits for Taiwan Residents, Residence Permits for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Residents, Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards, or passports. Each document allows only one ticket per visit day. The ticket is valid only for the registered ID holder. Once the ticket is issued, no modifications to ticket type, visit date/time slot, or visitor information are permitted.
4. The Meridian Gate (Wu men) is the only entrance for visitors to the Palace Museum. Visitors must present their original valid ID used for booking upon entry. Please double-check your booking details beforehand. Exit after the visit is via the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwu men) or East Prosperity Gate (Donghua men).
5. Daily bookings are divided into morning and afternoon sessions. Morning visitors must check in by 12 noon; afternoon visitors may begin check-in no earlier than 11 a.m. Please arrive at the scheduled time to avoid denied entry and disruption to your visit.
6. Tickets are non-refundable once used. Unused tickets (including general admission, the Gallery of Clocks, and the Treasure Gallery) can be refunded via the original booking channel before 12 midnight, one day prior to the visit, to avoid being considered a no-show. Tickets can be refunded before 8 p.m. on the visit day, counting as one no-show. No refunds are available after 8 p.m. on the visit day.
7. Certain exhibitions require advance bookings and please see the booking page for details. Cancellations must be made before 12 midnight, one day prior to the visit, to avoid being considered a no-show. Failure to cancel on time as requested counts as one no-show.
8. Each person is allowed only one no-show per day. Three no-shows within 180 days result in a 60-day suspension from booking tickets and exhibitions from the day following the third no-show.
9. Refunds will be made via the original payment method for ticket booking within five working days from cancellation. Please contact our customer service if refunds are not received.
10. For invoices, please contact our customer service within one month of booking, or present your original valid ID used for booking at the ticket service window of the Visitor Service Center.
11. The Palace Museum bears no responsibility for disruptions to visits caused by temporary closures or restricted access to certain areas due to force majeure.
12. Opening Hours for Ticket Service Windows at the Visitor Service Center, Gallery of Clocks, and Treasure Gallery:
- Peak Season ( April 1 – October 31): 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Low Season (November 1 – March 31): 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
13. Customer Service: 400-950-1925
Available Hours: 8:00 a.m.-8 p.m. (year-round)
II. Security Screening
1. To ensure the safety of historical structures, cultural relics, and visitors and to maintain orderly visits, please comply with security screening procedures. Prohibited items are detailed in the Prohibited Items for Visitors to the Palace Museum. Controlled items discovered during security checks will be handed over to public security authorities. Other prohibited items must be disposed of by visitors as per the Palace Museum regulations; compliant items can be deposited. Assistance with ticket refunds can be provided for visitors if their entry is denied for failure to dispose of prohibited items.
2. Entry will be denied to visitors who are drunken, improperly dressed, wearing bizarre clothing, or individuals without capacity for civil conduct or those with limited capacity for civil conduct who are unaccompanied by a guardian.
Appendix: Prohibited Items for Visitors to the Palace Museum
III. Luggage Deposit Service
The Palace Museum provides luggage deposit services and complimentary transfer services for eligible items. Deposited items must undergo a secondary inspection, and contact details must be registered.
1. Available Hours for Luggage Deposit and Reclaim:
April 1 – October 31:
Deposit: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Reclaim: 9:30 a.m.-5:10 p.m.
November 1 – March 31:
Deposit: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Reclaim: 9:30 a.m.-4:40 p.m.
2. Locations: Deposit luggage at the Visitor Service Center on the west side of the square inside the Gate of Uprightness (Duan men); reclaim luggage on the east side of the square outside the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwu men) and the north side of the square outside the East Prosperity Gate (Donghua men).
3. Items Accepted: Suitcases and large packages, 20 inches or larger.
4. Items Prohibited: Cash, watches, computers, digital devices, jewelry, and other valuables; flammable, explosive, fragile, and odorous articles; and food.
5. The luggage deposit tag (receipt) is the sole proof for reclaim; please keep it safe. The Palace Museum bears no responsibility for losses due to lost tags (receipts).
6. Only temporary deposit services are provided; postal services are not available. Luggage must be reclaimed before daily closing. Unclaimed items will be transferred to relevant authorities. The Palace Museum bears no responsibility for resulting losses.
IV. Visiting the Palace Museum
1. Please show respect for the Palace Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is strictly prohibited throughout the premises. Climbing on historical structures, displayed cultural relics, rockeries, and ancient trees is forbidden. Do not touch, scratch, or deface historical structures, cultural relics, or exhibits.
2. Please maintain orderly behavior throughout your visit and show respect for public facilities. The following activities are prohibited: running, chasing, shouting, lying down, playing musical instruments, using loudspeakers, crossing barriers, or occupying public facilities and spaces for unnecessarily extended periods.
3. Please show respect for the public environment. Do not trample grass or pick flowers or plants. Spitting and public urination are strictly prohibited.
4. Please help maintain order in the exhibition halls. Eating, sitting on the floor, and using easels are prohibited. Livestreaming or recording activities are not allowed. Flash photography, selfie sticks, and tripods are not permitted.
5. Begging, busking, and displaying banners are prohibited. Distributing, posting, or affixing advertisements or printed/promotional materials is not permitted. Activities or behaviors that violate public order and good customs are forbidden.
6. Without the Palace Museum’s permission, all non-visiting activities are prohibited, such as performances, promotions, interviews, social surveys, religious activities, vending of goods/services, commercial photography, or livestreaming sales.
7. The Palace Museum reserves the right to discourage and stop any of the above-mentioned or other behaviors that may jeopardize historical structures, cultural relics, visitor safety, or public order. The individual with severe misconduct will be recorded as an “uncivilized visitor” and reported to the culture and tourism authorities. Inclusion in the “Blacklist of Uncivilized Tourists” results in entry bans for specified periods. Suspected violations of the law will be referred to the public security authorities.
8. Please practice environmental awareness, help maintain cleanliness, and support the “Zero Waste Palace Museum” initiative by disposing of waste according to sorting guidelines.
9. Watch for warning signs around steps, steep slopes, and irregular surfaces within the Palace Museum. Avoid lingering under eaves, near trees, around rockeries, or in narrow passages.
10. In case of emergencies, unexpected situations, or extreme weather events, please follow staff instructions or broadcast announcements for an orderly evacuation.
11. For your safety, do not feed, touch, or harm any animals within the premises.