The photographer stands at the base of the corner pavilion, using an upward angle to highlight the layered, soaring eaves and the towering height. The main body of the pavilion's top is positioned at the center of the frame, maintaining the architectural integrity; the foreground incorporates nearby gray-tiled roofs and green bamboo on the right, adding depth and composition. The background features a clear blue sky, while the mid-ground focuses on the golden roof and red eaves of the corner pavilion.

Travel Tips:
① Admission Price: 60 RMB;
② Opening Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on Mondays.

The Palace Museum - Green Plants at the Corner Towers

 Shoot from below
Pose: Half-squat

Beijing Donghuamen - Take a photo with the red-walled architecture.

Photography Tips:
Stand about 4 meters in front of the magnolia tree, using the magnolia flowers as the foreground, and shoot the side hall in the background. The side hall should occupy the lower two-thirds of the frame, while the upper one-third is left blank for the sky.

1. Travel Suggestions
① Book your tickets 7 days in advance through the Palace Museum’s mini program. Morning tickets allow entry before 12:00 PM, and afternoon tickets allow entry after 11:00 AM.
② Ticket price is 40 CNY per person. Opening hours are from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on Mondays.

2. Photography Equipment
This photo was taken with a Fuji XT-5 and a 16-50mm lens.

The Forbidden City - Wisteria Flowers at Zhongcui Palace

The photographer uses a level shooting angle, with the model standing with her back to the camera at the stone bridge railing of the moat, her hand resting on the railing, and her head slightly turned to look towards the corner tower, creating a natural interaction. The composition includes the foreground with the stone bridge railing, the mid-ground with the model's back view, and the background featuring the corner tower, water reflections, and weeping willows on both sides, enhancing the depth and atmosphere of the image.

Travel Tips: It is recommended to visit on a sunny day, either between 9-11 AM or 4-6 PM, when the light is the softest, providing the best photo effects.

Take a photo of the Northeast Corner Tower in front of the railing by the lake in the Forbidden City.

Photo by The Forbidden City - Capturing the Architecture through Window Frames

The Forbidden City - Capturing the Architecture through Window Frames

The photographer uses a low-angle shot with centered composition, placing the main subject, the corner tower, slightly above the center of the frame to highlight the details of the golden roof and red pillars. The dark night sky serves as the background, while the inclusion of the lower roof edge in the foreground adds depth. The exposure is adjusted to ensure that the architectural ornamentation is clearly visible.

1. Travel Tips:
① Admission Fee: 60 RMB;
② Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, closed on Mondays;
③ Best Time for Photography: The lights at the Forbidden City are on from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM and are turned off promptly. The Forbidden City closes at 5:00 PM, so you can only view the night scene from outside without a ticket.

2. Additional Tips:
① It's recommended to arrive at the Meridian Gate around 7:00 PM to see the flag-lowering ceremony by the honor guard, which is very impressive.
② To capture the Meridian Gate, Donghua Gate, Northeast Corner Tower, Northwest Corner Tower, and Shenwu Gate, it’s suggested to bike around within 1 hour.

The Palace Museum - Northeast Corner Tower Architecture

The photographer uses a ground-level angle to ensure the moat's water reflects the surroundings clearly and completely. The frame should include the pavilion in the upper left corner, willows in the center, and the city walls, with the water reflection below. The background should retain a clear blue sky, creating a symmetrical beauty from top to bottom. A standard focal length is used to highlight the layers and serene atmosphere of the scenery.
Additional tip: Sun protection is recommended.

The Palace Museum - Corner Tower, Moat, and Willow Trees

The photographer might stand at a lower position in front of the ancient building, looking up. The eaves of the building occupy the bottom one-third of the frame, while the sky takes up the top two-thirds. The roof ornaments and the eave outlines can be seen as leading lines, extending from the left to the right side of the frame, guiding the viewer's eyes through the image.

Travel Tips:
1. Peak season (April 1 - October 31): Opens at 8:30 AM, stops admitting visitors at 4:00 PM, and closes at 5:00 PM. Off-season (November 1 - March 31 of the following year): Opens at 8:30 AM, stops admitting visitors at 3:30 PM, and closes at 4:30 PM. Closed on Mondays (except for legal holidays).
2. Bring your ID.
3. Choose a sunny day to visit for better viewing and photography.

The Forbidden City - Roof Ornament of the Hall of Supreme Harmony

Photo by The Forbidden City - Ginkgo Trees and Red Wall Eaves

The Forbidden City - Ginkgo Trees and Red Wall Eaves

Using leading lines composition, the diagonal lines of the stairs and railings guide the viewer's gaze towards the distant Forbidden City architecture, enhancing the sense of depth and space. The shooting angle employs an upward angle to highlight the texture of the clouds in the sky, creating a contrast with the architecture and adding layers to the image. A wide-angle lens is used to capture rich details while maintaining the overall composition of the scene.

1. Travel Tips: It's recommended to visit on a clear day, as the blue sky will enhance the photo quality.
2. Other Tips: ① Try to enter the Forbidden City at 8:30 AM or after 1:00 PM to avoid peak hours; ② The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, so be sure to make a reservation in advance and avoid visiting on that day.

The Palace Museum - Jia Liang