Photo by The red walls of the Forbidden City with persimmon trees.

The red walls of the Forbidden City with persimmon trees.

Photo by The Forbidden City - City Walls and Squares

The Forbidden City - City Walls and Squares

Use a straight-on angle with the main subject, the palace lantern, positioned at the center of the frame to fully showcase its details and the beauty of traditional architecture. It is recommended to use a telephoto lens to compress the background, making the red walls and leaves blend closely together and highlight the contrast between the main subject and the background. When shooting, choose the yellow ginkgo leaves above the lantern as the background, filling the frame horizontally to enhance the depth and color contrast of the image, and avoid any distracting elements on the sides. Additional tips: The Forbidden City is photogenic all year round, but autumn is especially recommended for capturing the beauty of Beijing's fall scenery, which also complements traditional Chinese costumes very well.

The Forbidden City - Vintage Palace Lanterns, Ginkgo Leaves, and Red Walls

Center the composition with the text "Ice Cellar" in the middle to highlight the main subject. Include the complete texture of the gray brick wall, leaving ample space on all sides to show the wall's texture. Travel Tips: Operating Hours: Closed on Mondays. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 08:00 to 16:00.

The Ice Cellar Restaurant in the Forbidden City - Signature Character Wall

Photo by The Forbidden City in the Forbidden Purple City - Stone railings and distant buildings.

The Forbidden City in the Forbidden Purple City - Stone railings and distant buildings.

The photographer uses an upward angle, centering the sundial as the main subject in the composition, placing it in the center of the frame to highlight its pointer and carved details. The background includes the roof of the Forbidden City on the left and a clear blue sky, enhancing the historical atmosphere. The image ensures that the sundial is the clear focus while maintaining complete elements of the background architecture, balancing the relationship between the subject and the environment. Travel Tips: ① Admission Fee: 60 RMB; ② Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:00 PM).

The Palace Museum - Sundials and Roof Architecture

I recommend that the photographer stand below the building and use a low-angle shot, applying the rule of thirds for composition. Place the yellow-tiled eaves and the main structure of the building in the lower third of the frame, leaving the upper two-thirds for the blue sky and clouds. Include the green trees, red walls, and gray bricks on the left side of the frame, along with architectural details, to enhance depth. A wide-angle lens is recommended to emphasize the grandeur of the building and the vastness of the sky.

The Forbidden City - Capturing the gray stone walls and the yellow-tiled buildings with upturned eaves.

The photographer uses a level angle, with the model positioned on the left side of the frame. The subject is framed by the ornate lattice windows of the porch, enhancing the ancient ambiance. The composition includes the wooden structure of the porch in the foreground, the red walls in the background, the roof of the ancient building, and the diagonally extending branches of an old tree, adding depth and layers to the scene. Travel Tips: ① Ticket Prices: The ticket prices for the Meridian Gate vary between the peak and off-peak seasons. From April 1 to October 31, the peak season ticket price is 60 yuan; from November 1 to March 31 of the following year, the off-peak season ticket price is 40 yuan. Admission to the Treasure Gallery and the Clock and Watch Gallery requires separate tickets, both priced at 10 yuan each. ② Opening Hours: From April 1 to October 31 each year, the opening hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:10 PM). From November 1 to March 31 of the following year, the opening hours are 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

Taking a photo with the ancient trees and pavilion under the corridor of the Red Wall at the Forbidden City.

Photo by The Forbidden City - Taking a Picture with the Grove Trail

The Forbidden City - Taking a Picture with the Grove Trail

1. Angle: The photographer stands slightly below and in front of the building, using an upward angle for the shot. 2. Composition: Utilize a central composition by placing the blue sign in the center of the frame to draw attention, while using a symmetrical composition with the building's central axis as the reference, ensuring the elements on both sides are balanced, highlighting the solemnity of the building. 3. Lens Recommendation: A 24-35mm wide-angle lens is recommended to fully capture the upper structure and details of the building, enhancing the grandeur of the scene. Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, last entry at 3:30 PM. Additional Tips: Reflectors, tripods, and monopods are not allowed in the Forbidden City, and self-extending poles longer than 1.3 meters are also prohibited.

The Forbidden City - Hall of Preserving Harmony