The photographer is taking a front-on shot of the hanging treasure, with the camera at the same level as the subject to ensure symmetry. Using a centered composition, the shot highlights the symmetrical beauty and intricate details of the hanging treasure. Travel Tip: The exhibition runs from January 7, 2025, to January 4, 2026.

The Palace Museum's Qi Palace Exhibition Hall - Jade from Kunlun Mountain Double Fish Scent Pouch

The photographer stands at the center of the building, maintaining a parallel angle for the shot. The camera is positioned slightly below the building’s central axis to avoid distortion from tilting up or down, ensuring the building’s symmetry is prominently displayed with its central axis as the focal point. This technique highlights the detailed and grand features of the royal architecture, maintaining a balanced composition on both sides. Travel Tips: ① Ticket Prices: Peak Season (April to October) 60 RMB, Off-Season 40 RMB; ② Opening Hours: Peak Season 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM), Off-Season 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM (last entry at 3:30 PM).

The panoramic view of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Palace Museum.

It is recommended that the photographer be positioned inside the gate passage of Shunzhen Gate and use a level view angle for shooting. Employ the frame-within-a-frame composition technique, using the gate passage as the frame to enclose the Shunzhen Gate building, while also using the center composition to place the main building at the center of the image. Use a standard lens to faithfully reproduce the scene and avoid distortion. 1. Travel Tips: Admission fee: Tickets must be purchased in advance on the official Forbidden City website; tickets are not sold onsite. 2. Other Tips: ① For an extra beautiful dragon cup, you need to order a large cup of coffee. ② Do not take a taxi as it can be very congested.

The Forbidden City - Shunzhen Gate

Use a frame-within-a-frame composition, with the arch as the foreground frame to highlight the Forbidden City buildings in the middle. The building is centered in the frame, with symmetrical elements on both sides, enhancing the sense of balance. The photographer should stand inside the arch, facing straight ahead, to avoid capturing any ground clutter and to emphasize the grandeur of the architecture. Shooting Time: It is recommended to shoot during clear weather with good daylight.

The Forbidden City - Capturing the Architecture of the Forbidden City Through Archways

The model stands inside the stone-framed doorway, facing the camera directly. The photographer takes the shot from a level angle, with the camera positioned at the model's chest height. The stone frame is used to create a frame-within-a-frame composition, focusing on the model while the left wall and right lines form a contrast, adding balance to the shot. A standard lens is used to maintain a moderate perspective, avoiding any imbalance between the background and the subject. POSE: The model’s hands rest naturally on the door frame, with the body slightly turned to add a sense of dynamic movement.

The Palace Museum - Eastern Six Palaces Stone Framed Gate

The photographer stands at a lower position on the city wall, looking up to capture the blue sky and the city wall as the main elements of the photo, using a wide-angle lens to expand the field of view. Travel Tips: ① You don’t need to buy a ticket to the Palace Museum to photograph the magnolias at Donghuamen. ② Try to visit in the afternoon for shooting, as the sunlight won’t be as harsh.

The Forbidden City - Eastern Flower Gate and Magnolia Blossoms in the Same Frame

Using the rule of thirds, place the main subject, the Shenwu Gate, in the center of the frame. Keep a portion of the foreground square at the bottom to enhance the depth of the scene. Stand in front of the Shenwu Gate and shoot from a low angle to highlight its grandeur. Use a wide-angle lens to ensure that the entire building and its surroundings are captured. 1. Travel Tips: It's recommended to visit on a clear day for better shooting results under the blue sky. 2. Other Tips: ① Try to enter the park before 8:30 AM or after 1:00 PM to avoid peak hours. ② The Palace Museum is closed on Mondays, so be sure to book in advance and avoid showing up on a closed day.

The Palace Museum - Shenwu Gate

The photographer is positioned opposite the Shenwu Gate, shooting at eye level. The composition is symmetrical, with the water surface serving as the dividing line, reflecting the Shenwu Gate and its mirror image on the water, evenly distributed in the upper and lower parts of the frame. A standard lens is used to faithfully reproduce the scene of the Shenwu Gate and the pond, showcasing the normal proportional relationship between the architecture and the water. Travel Tips: ① Admission Fee: 60 RMB during peak season, 40 RMB during off-season; half price for seniors, free for military personnel and those aged 70 or older. ② Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.

The Palace Museum - Shenwu Gate and pond in the same frame

The photographer stands under the ginkgo tree, shoots slightly upward, and combines the ground and the eaves to control the depth of the frame. Use the branches and leaves of the ginkgo tree to form a natural frame, highlighting the main structure of the ancient building. Use a camera with a 24-35mm lens or a phone at 1x to balance the wide angle and clarity of the subject. Travel Tips: ① Admission: 60 RMB during peak season, 40 RMB during off-season, with an additional 10 RMB for the Treasures Gallery and Clocks and Watches Gallery. ② Opening Hours: April 1 to October 31, 08:30-17:00 (last ticket sold at 16:00, last entry at 16:10); November 1 to March 31, 08:30-16:30 (last ticket sold at 15:30, last entry at 15:40). Closed on Mondays except for public holidays.

The entrance to the Calligraphy and Painting Gallery at the Wenhua Hall in the Forbidden City.

Use an upward shooting angle and compose the foreground with the golden ginkgo branches and leaves, filling the front of the frame. In the background, include the rooftops of the Forbidden City’s corner towers to highlight the layers of ancient architecture and autumn colors. Travel tip: This is best shot on a clear, sunny day when the light is optimal.

The Palace Museum - Ginkgo Tree at the Corner Tower of Xihua Gate