On November 1, 2026, the Palace Museum switches from its peak-season to its off-season schedule: the grounds close a full hour earlier, afternoon entry windows shrink, and the entrance ticket drops from ¥60 to ¥40. Two halls inside also change status this week — one reopens, one stays closed.

Who this affects

Anyone visiting the Forbidden City between November 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027 — especially travelers who booked afternoon slots assuming the 17:00 closing time that applies through October, and anyone holding November bookings made long in advance. Monday closures continue as usual (except statutory holidays).

What changed

Per the Palace Museum's official schedule (dpm.org.cn):

  • Off-season hours (Nov 1 – Mar 31): open 08:30–16:30, last entry 15:30 — one hour earlier than the peak-season 17:00 close and 16:00 last entry. The Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery stop admitting at 15:40.
  • Entrance ticket: ¥40 off-season vs ¥60 peak. Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery remain ¥10 each.
  • Yanxi Palace (延禧宫) reopens November 1 after conservation survey work that closed it from September 1.
  • Wuying Hall (武英殿), which houses the Ceramics Gallery, closed from October 19 for building maintenance with no reopening date announced yet — its ¥10 gallery ticket is effectively suspended until further notice.
  • Booking mechanics are unchanged: tickets release 7 days ahead at 20:00 Beijing time on official channels only, real-name with passport entry, Meridian Gate as the sole entrance.

What to do

  1. If your afternoon slot was planned around a 17:00 closing, move your entry forward — at 15:30 last entry, a "relaxed" 16:00 arrival means you do not get in at all.
  2. For winter photography, note that December and January sunsets fall before the 16:30 close; enter at 08:30 opening for the best light instead of chasing golden hour.
  3. If Wuying Hall's Ceramics Gallery was on your list, check the museum's announcements page (dpm.org.cn) shortly before your visit for its reopening date.
  4. Still holding peak-season expectations on price? November–March visits save ¥20 per adult — put it toward both ¥10 galleries instead.
  5. Book the 7-day release window as usual; cold-season weekdays rarely sell out, but holiday weeks still do.

Last updated: 2026-10-21 · Confirm details with official channels before you travel.