China’s imperial palaces you can still explore
From the Forbidden City’s golden roofs to Chengde’s pine-covered retreat, imperial palaces offer the best portals into court life. Here’s where to go, what to see, and how to plan your visit.
10+
From Beijing and Chengde to Lhasa, Suzhou, and Xi’an.
6
Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Chengde Mountain Resort, Potala Palace, West Lake.
Apr–May & Sep–Oct
Comfortable weather for Beijing, Chengde, Xi’an; Lhasa best Apr–Jun & Sep–Oct.
Beijing · Chengde · Xi’an · Lhasa
Each with direct flights and high-speed rail connections.
Five palaces not to miss
These complexes span Ming emperors, Qing retreats, Tibetan theocracy, and Tang splendour. Use nearby city links to dig deeper.
Forbidden City · Beijing
World’s best-preserved imperial palace, 24 emperors. Base in Beijing; pre-book timed tickets, visit Meridian Gate early.
Summer Palace · Beijing
Lakefront escape for the Qing court. Combine with Beijing hutong walks; sunset boat on Kunming Lake.
Chengde Mountain Resort
Wooded retreat plus Eight Outer Temples. Two hours from Chengde via high-speed rail.
Potala Palace · Lhasa
Seat of Tibetan spiritual and temporal authority. Base in Lhasa; permits and timed visits required.
Daming & Weiyang Palaces
Tang-era Chang’an complexes now archaeological parks. Explore via Xi’an metro lines (Line 2 and 4).
| Palace | Location | Dynasties | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forbidden City (Palace Museum) | Beijing | Ming · Qing | 24 emperors, 980 surviving buildings, Hall of Supreme Harmony, treasure galleries. |
| Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) | Beijing | Qing | Kunming Lake cruises, Long Corridor murals, Seventeen-Arch Bridge, opera performances. |
| Chengde Mountain Resort | Chengde, Hebei | Qing | Grasslands, lakes, Tibetan-style outer temples (Puning, Putuo Zongcheng), imperial hunting grounds. |
| Potala Palace | Lhasa, Tibet | Built 17th century (Qing patronage) | White and Red Palaces, chapels with Dalai Lama stupas, panoramic hilltop views. |
| Gugong (National Palace Museum) | Beijing + Taipei collections | Ming · Qing collections | Split collection between Beijing Palace Museum and Taipei’s National Palace Museum (plan both if possible). |
| Daming Palace ruins | Xi’an, Shaanxi | Tang | Archaeological park with digital reconstructions, Hanyuan Hall foundations. |
| Humble Administrator’s Garden (palatial retreat) | Suzhou, Jiangsu | Ming | Scholar gardens used by retired officials; pair with nearby water towns. |
Planning notes
Timed tickets
Forbidden City caps visitors at 40,000 per day; book online (ID/passport) up to seven days ahead. Summer Palace okay on arrival except holidays.
Permits
Potala Palace bookings must be made via authorised Tibet agencies; passport+Tibet permit checked at entry.
Transport
Beijing subway (Line 1 Tian’anmen, Line 4 Beigongmen), fast trains to Chengde (1h40) and Suzhou (25 min from Shanghai). Flights to Lhasa via Chengdu/Xi’an.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need for the Forbidden City?
2–3 hours for the central axis, 4–5 hours including side halls and treasure gallery. Closed Mondays.
Is photography allowed?
Outdoor courtyards—yes. Indoor exhibits—no flash or no photography depending on hall. Tripods generally banned.
Where can I stay near palaces?
Try boutique hotels in Beijing hutongs, Aman at Summer Palace, mountain lodges in Chengde, or heritage courtyards in Xi’an.
What about lesser-known palaces?
Check out Prince Gong Mansion in Beijing, Ancient City of Pingyao’s yamen, or Tang Imperial City ruins in Luoyang.
Plan your imperial itinerary
Mix palaces with walls, tombs, and museums for an unbeatable heritage circuit.
- Chinese dynasties timeline — map palaces to eras.
- Great Wall guide — add Badaling or Jinshanling to Beijing plans.
- Terracotta Army facts — pair Xi’an palaces with the mausoleum.
- Beijing city playbook — palace tickets, hutong stays, visa-free transit.