Is the Forbidden City Open at Night?
No, there are no regular night tours of the Forbidden City. The Palace Museum stops admitting visitors in the mid-afternoon and the complex is emptied before dusk. Unlike some European museums that run late-night openings, the Forbidden City has no evening hours for general admission — and there is no night ticket tier to buy.
| Season | Opens | Last admission | Closes | Ticket | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak (Apr 1 - Oct 31) | 8:30 AM | 4:10 PM | 5:00 PM | 60 CNY | |
| Low (Nov 1 - Mar 31) | 8:30 AM | 3:30 PM | 4:30 PM | 40 CNY | |
| Every Monday | Closed all day — unless that Monday is a Chinese statutory holiday | n/a | |||
However, there are rare exceptions and some excellent alternatives that capture the magic of the palace at dusk and after dark.
Special Evening Events
In February 2019, the Palace Museum hosted its first-ever nighttime opening for the Lantern Festival. Tickets for the two-night event sold out in minutes, and the illuminated red walls and golden roofs made international headlines. These events are extremely rare — do not plan a trip around them.
The Palace Museum occasionally holds evening cultural events, but they are typically invitation-only or tied to diplomatic occasions. Keep an eye on the official Palace Museum announcements, but do not expect regular night access.
Best Alternatives for Evening Views
Jingshan Park at Sunset
This is the single best way to see the Forbidden City at dusk. The park sits directly north of the palace, and the hilltop pagoda offers a stunning panoramic view of the entire complex bathed in golden sunset light. It stays open until 9:00 PM in peak season (April-October, last entry 8:30 PM) and 8:00 PM in the off season (last entry 7:30 PM). Entry: 2 CNY. Arrive about one hour before sunset for the golden light, and stay through it — the roofline keeps reading long after the sun drops.
Corner Tower and Moat Walk
The northwest corner tower reflected in the moat is one of the most photographed scenes in Beijing. At dusk, the tower's lights come on and the water is often perfectly still. The moat path is public, free, and open 24 hours. Professional photographers line up here daily before sunset — arrive early to claim your spot.
Donghuamen Night Market Area
Walk along Donghuamen Street on the east side of the palace after sunset. The red walls are illuminated, and the street is much quieter than during the day. You can walk from the southeast corner tower to the northeast corner tower along the moat in about 25 minutes — a peaceful, atmospheric evening stroll.
Late Afternoon Tours: The Next Best Thing
The closest you can get to a "night" experience is a late afternoon tour. Tickets are sold against timed entry slots released 7 days ahead at 8:00 PM Beijing time, so book the latest afternoon slot your date allows — you can then stay until the gates close at 5:00 PM in peak season or 4:30 PM in the low season. The last hour before closing is the quietest: the tour groups have gone, and the low-angle light puts warm, dramatic shadows across the red walls and golden roofs.
Several private tours specifically target this window for this reason. You get the best light, fewer crowds, and the closest thing to an evening atmosphere without the night access. Pair it with sunset at Jingshan Park — see our month-by-month guide to crowds and light for what time of year puts the sun lowest over the rooflines.
What About the National Holidays?
During Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival, the areas around the Forbidden City are beautifully decorated and illuminated. Tiananmen Square, Qianmen Street, and Wangfujing all have spectacular light displays. While the palace itself remains closed at night, the surrounding imperial district comes alive after dark.
Night Tour Questions, Answered
Is the Forbidden City open at night?
No. The Palace Museum takes its last visitors at 4:10 PM in peak season (April 1 - October 31) and at 3:30 PM in the low season, and everyone must be out by 5:00 PM and 4:30 PM respectively. There is no evening admission and no night tour product you can buy.
What time does the Forbidden City close?
It opens at 8:30 AM. In peak season (April 1 - October 31) the gates close at 5:00 PM, with last admission at 4:10 PM. In the low season (November 1 - March 31) it closes at 4:30 PM, with last admission at 3:30 PM.
Is the Forbidden City open every day?
No — it is closed every Monday unless that Monday falls on a Chinese statutory holiday. The palace also closes on Chinese New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, while the surrounding squares and streets run holiday light displays after dark.
Can you see the Forbidden City lit up at night?
Not from inside, but the palace is very visible from public streets after dark. The northwest corner tower reflected in the moat is lit, and the walkway around it is free and open 24 hours. From Jingshan Park directly north you get the full roofline at sunset — the park stays open until 9:00 PM in summer.
Are there night tickets for the Forbidden City?
There is no night ticket tier. Admission is the standard daytime ticket — 60 CNY in peak season and 40 CNY in the low season — booked against a timed entry slot. The only night openings in the museum's recent history were special events such as the 2019 Lantern Festival, announced weeks ahead and sold out in minutes.
Bottom Line
Do not plan a trip expecting a Forbidden City night tour. Instead, book a late afternoon private tour and follow it with sunset at Jingshan Park and an evening walk along the moat. You will see the palace at its most beautiful — and capture photographs most tourists miss. To cover the palace itself, use our self-guided walking route, and check the month-by-month crowd guide before you pick a date.