If you can’t get a ticket to the Forbidden City – and that DOES happen – fret not, there are other things you can do that are just as fun!

Recommendation: Visit both of these sites to make a nice “just busy enough” day.

Visit Lama Temple

Beijing’s Yonghegong Lama Temple is one of China’s biggest and best-preserved Tibetan Buddhist temples. However, before it was converted into a temple, it was the royal residence for the Yongzheng Emperor while he was still a prince. (He moved into the Forbidden City when he became the emperor.) The residence was designed in a very similar style to the Forbidden City, with the same red walls and golden tiles on the roofs. (The original roofs had green tiles, but they were changed to imperial yellow after the emperor died and his coffin was placed in the residence.)

The building was built in 1694, and in 1744, it was converted into a Tibetan Buddhist lamasery. It has been an active monastery ever since – and yes, it’s still active today!

Why Lama Temple is such a great place to visit:

• Open on Mondays (though it can get crowded on Mondays because many other sites are closed)
• Right on the subway (Line 2 & 5, Yonghegong Lama Temple)
• No need to buy tickets in advance (just show up and go to the window, but have your passport ready)
• Tickets are just 25 RMB for adults
• Usually not as crowded as the Forbidden City
• The neighborhood around the temple is cute and has a lot of options for eating and shopping
• It’s a lot smaller than the Forbidden City; most visitors can see everything in 1-2 hours

HOURS: 9-5 (everyday April 1 – October 31), 9-4:30 (everyday November 1 – March 31), last entry 30 minutes before closing

Visit Jingshan Park

While the Forbidden City is an incredible site to see, if you really want to SEE it, the best view is from Jingshan Park, just north of the palace’s North Gate. (The photo above was taken from the park.) The park was built on a man-made hill and once upon a time, it was the highest point in the city! Today, when you climb up to the pavillions at the top, you get a 360-degree view of the area, and a FULL VIEW of the Forbidden City.

Why Jingshan Place is such a great place to visit:

• You get an amazing view of the Forbidden City that can’t be seen from inside it
• You don’t need to book tickets in advance (the official website needs an update)
• Tickets for adults cost just 2-10 RMB (depending on the season – they cost more in the summer)
• The park is well-marked, easy to navigate and while the hills get steep, it’s well-paved and maintained
• The views at sunset are beautiful
• In Spring, you can see the park’s peony collection in full bloom

HOURS: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. (everyday April 1 – October 31), 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. (everyday November 1 – March 31), last entry 30 minutes before closing

Have you been to either the Lama Temple or Jingshan Park? What did you think?