The photographer stands below the building and uses a medium telephoto lens or the 3x zoom on a smartphone. The dark eaves on the left extend diagonally, forming a leading line that guides the viewer’s gaze to the central yellow roof. The foreground includes autumn leaves and branches on the right, adding depth, while the sky remains visible in the background. The main subject, the yellow roof and the “Palace Museum Cultural Creativity” sign below it, are centered, balancing the elements in the frame. Travel Tips: ① Ticket Price: 60 RMB per person, book in advance on the official WeChat account up to seven days before your visit, with ticket sales starting at 8:00 PM daily; ② Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, closed on Mondays.

The Forbidden City - Cultural and Creative Buildings with Eaves and Tree Branches

The photographer recommends using a bird's-eye view; the model should be positioned in the center of the frame, holding a woven ball and extending her arm naturally forward. The arm lines can be used as leading lines to guide the viewer’s attention to the model’s face. It is suggested to use a standard lens to clearly capture the details of the clothing and the texture of the red wall, enhancing the classical atmosphere of the image. Outfit suggestion: Traditional costume.

The Forbidden City in Beijing - Take a photo with the red walls.

Photo by The Forbidden City - Portraits of Qing Dynasty Emperors

The Forbidden City - Portraits of Qing Dynasty Emperors

Photo by The Forbidden City - Corner Tower, Moat, and Willow Branches

The Forbidden City - Corner Tower, Moat, and Willow Branches

Using a centered composition, the photographer stands near the railing, maintaining an upward angle to emphasize the grandeur and details of the architecture. When framing the shot, include some of the red walls and trees in the background to add depth to the image. Travel Tips: Peak Season (April 1 - October 31): 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:10 PM), Off-Season (November 1 - March 31): 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (last entry at 3:40 PM). The venue is closed on Mondays (except for statutory holidays).

The Palace Museum - Lingzhuo Pavilion in Yanxi Palace

Use a centered composition to ensure that the ancient building's gateway is located in the center of the frame, highlighting its symmetrical beauty. Shoot from a low angle to better showcase the grandeur of the Forbidden City's gate, while incorporating the blue sky and white clouds in the background to add a fresh and spacious feel to the image. Use a wide-angle lens to include the red walls on both sides of the gate, adding depth and atmosphere to the shot. 1. Travel Tips: Choose a clear day for your visit, as the blue sky enhances the photo effect during the day. 2. Other Tips: ① Try to enter the Forbidden City before 8:30 AM or after 1:00 PM to avoid peak hours; ② The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, so be sure to book your ticket in advance to avoid a wasted trip; ③ When shooting, try to avoid cluttered or crowded moments to enhance the purity of the image.

The Palace Museum - Near Guangzuo Gate

The photographer, positioned low, captures the scene from a looking-up angle, employing a framing composition where the eaves of the ancient building serve as the frame, enclosing the blooming branches. A medium-telephoto lens is used to highlight the flowers. Travel Tips: ① Admission Fee: 60 RMB during peak season (April to October), 40 RMB during off-season. Tickets go on sale at 8:00 PM, 7 days before the visit date, until sold out. Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance. ② Opening Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with last entry at 3:30 PM.

The Forbidden City - Yuhuai Pavilion in the Imperial Garden with apricot blossoms

The photographer is positioned slightly in front of the side of the bronze lion, using a low-angle shot to include both the eaves and the bronze lion in the frame. A wide-angle lens is used to enhance the depth of the image. The bronze lion is located in the lower left corner of the frame, while the eaves are at the top. Travel Tips: ① Ticket Price: 60 RMB; ② Opening Hours: 08:30-17:00, last entry at 16:00.

The Forbidden City - Bronze Lions in the Hall of Supreme Harmony

Photo by The Forbidden City - Take a photo with the bronze crane statue on the Danbi stone.

The Forbidden City - Take a photo with the bronze crane statue on the Danbi stone.

The model stands in front of the city gate, and the photographer shoots from a distance of about two meters. Outfit suggestions: We recommend bright colors such as yellow, blue, red, and black to make the model stand out.

The Palace Museum - Dongyanchi Building