The Forbidden City - Zhongzuomen
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No. 4, Jingshan Qianjie, Dongcheng District, Beijing, within the Forbidden City Museum.
Photography Tips
The model stands a bit above the steps, while the photographer stands below, capturing a view of the central left gate against the blue sky, giving a sense of a castle in the sky. 1. Camera: Fuji XH2S, Lens: 18-55mm. 2. If it's impossible to avoid passersby, you can slow down the shutter speed and have the model remain perfectly still to blur out the passersby. 3. You need to book a slot after 11:00 AM to enter; entry is not available before 12:00 PM. 4. The Forbidden City gets a lot of visitors. To capture scenes without people, it's recommended to arrive at the earliest entry time in the morning. Try not to carry a backpack to use a separate security checkpoint, reducing wait times. Go through the Xihua Gate to the Wumen entrance for ticket inspection, which avoids the security check at Tiananmen and saves time.
Walking Guide

Enter through the Meridian Gate for security check and ticket inspection.

Take Exit B at Tiananmen West Station on Subway Line 1. Turn left and walk 10 meters to Nanchang Street.

Walk straight through the Zhaode Gate for 150 meters to reach the Zhongzuo Gate.

After reaching the Xihua Gate, turn right and walk 600 meters along the city wall to reach the Wu Gate.

Walk straight along Nanchang Street for 900 meters to reach the Xihua Gate of the Forbidden City.

