Why this matters
Many travellers confuse “senior free” policies at some Chinese sights with the Palace Museum. On our page, senior admission is a discounted paid ticket (CNY 30) for foreigners 60+, not a free walk-in.
Booking is capacity-controlled. Our page marks booking as required on the Official website (English), with release at 20:00 seven days ahead — same rules for standard and senior types.
How to book the senior type
- Open our Forbidden City page and use Book on the official site (bookingticket.dpm.org.cn) — or the same Official button in At a glance.
- When tickets open (20:00 Beijing time, 7 days ahead), choose the Senior type if you are 60+ with a foreign passport, or Standard / Student / Child as listed.
- Complete real-name booking with your passport details; keep the passport for entry. Optional: Treasure Gallery CNY 10 add-on as shown on the booking site.
Pitfalls
- Expecting free senior entry — our price table lists Senior CNY 30, not free.
- Waiting for a same-day gate ticket — official path has no same-day tickets; the gate window is an unreliable last resort on our page.
- Booking Standard when you qualify for Senior (or the reverse) — match the type shown on bookingticket.dpm.org.cn for your age.
- Leaving your passport at the hotel — entry is real-name.
Facts taken from our live Forbidden City attraction page (checked 17 Oct 2026 CST), including the 5 Oct 2026 bookingticket.dpm.org.cn price snapshot. Hours and prices can change — confirm on the Official site when you book.
FAQ
Do foreign seniors get a Forbidden City discount?
Yes — our page lists Senior CNY 30 for foreign visitors aged 60+ (bookingticket.dpm.org.cn listing checked 5 Oct 2026).
Is Forbidden City free for seniors with a foreign passport?
No on our page — senior admission is CNY 30, not free. Children 6 and under are free but still need their own ticket in the order.
Where should foreigners book?
Official English booking site (bookingticket.dpm.org.cn) is the primary path on our attraction page. Trip.com is also listed there with affiliate tags — we keep Trip CTAs on the attraction page.
How far ahead can I book?
Our page: 20:00 Beijing time, 7 days ahead; no same-day tickets on the official path.
What about student tickets?
Our page: Student CNY 20 (ages 7–17, or enrolled undergraduates and below) — confirm eligibility on the booking site.