The Forbidden City, a majestic cultural icon, imposes strict entry regulations, including a noon cutoff for visitors. Recently, however, due to the influx of tourists during holidays, the queues have become increasingly lengthy. The process begins with a line for identity checks upon exiting the subway, followed by another for ticket verification at the plaza entrance. Upon reaching the Forbidden City itself, visitors must once again queue for ticket inspection and security screenings. This entire process can take at least two hours, rendering it highly unlikely for those holding morning tickets to enter before the noon deadline.
The situation is indeed dire, as the afternoon tickets allow entry only from 11 am onwards. Arriving at the site from the subway at around 9 am ensures a smooth entry process. Today, we narrowly escaped being turned away mere minutes before the cutoff. Moreover, the following days are fully booked, and considering that today is a weekday, the queues during weekends and holidays are likely to be even more daunting. This experience has been nothing short of terrifying, a stark reminder of the challenges faced by tourists navigating Beijing’s popular attractions.
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