Tai Miao Travel Guide: Avoid the Crowds and Take Royal Photos

The Forbidden City is always crowded, so where can you take magnificent royal-style photos? Tai Miao is a great alternative! Built at the same time as the Forbidden City, Tai Miao has a similar architectural style but far fewer visitors. Tickets are only CNY 2, making it a treasure trove for photography enthusiasts. Here is a detailed guide: 1. 🚉 Transportation Guide: Subway 🚇: Take Line 1 to [Tiananmen East Station] and exit from Exit B. Navigate to Tai Miao and walk for about 5 minutes to reach the East Gate. Bus 🚌: Take Bus 1, 2, 10, 20, 52, 59, 99, or 120 to [Tiananmen East Station], or Bus 5 to [Nanchang Street Station]. Self-driving 🚗: Parking is inconvenient in the surrounding area, so public transportation is recommended. 2. Tickets and Opening Hours Tickets 🎫: Cultural Palace Admission Ticket: CNY 2 per person (includes park tour). Xiangdian Ticket: CNY 10 per person in low season (November 1 to March 31 of the following year), CNY 15 per person in high season (April 1 to October 31) for a close-up view of the core building of Xiangdian. 🕙 Opening Hours: Low season: 7:00–17:30; High season: 6:30–19:30. 📝 Tips: No reservation is required, just buy tickets on site. Seniors aged 60 and above can enter for free with their ID card, children under 6 can enter for free, minors under 18 and college students (with student ID) can enter for half price, and Beijing employees with a union card can enter for free. 3. Photography Guide: Avoid the Crowds and Unlock Niche Spots 1. Symmetrical Aesthetic Composition: Glazed Gate Arch: Stand in the center of the arch, use the symmetrical glazed door frame and red wall, and take a photo with the person in the center. The background is magnificent. Xiangdian Square: Use Xiangdian as the background, take a low-angle shot, and highlight the sense of hierarchy between the building and the sky. White Jade Railings in Front of the Three Halls: Kneel and take a photo from above to create a sense of depth. The vermilion palace gate and glazed tiles complement each other. 2. Light and Shadow, and Reflection: White Marble Bridge: On sunny days, the reflection of the bridge deck contrasts with the shadow of the building. You can take a low-angle shot of the eaves and the blue sky, or use puddles to take creative reflection photos. Ancient Cypress Forest: The ancient cypress trees are towering, and the sunlight forms mottled light and shadow through the branches and leaves, making it suitable for taking forest-style ancient photos. 3. Props and Skills: Wear Hanfu or a plain long dress to create a visual impact with the red walls and yellow tiles. Avoid wearing clothes with complex patterns. 4. 🗓 Recommended Tour Route: Enter from the East Gate → Honor Roll → Five-Color Glazed Gate → Daji Gate → Xiangdian (main hall, must-see golden nanmu beams and columns) → Qindian → Tiaomiao → Cypress Planted by Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty → Rockery in the East Area → Prince Forest → Exit from the South Gate. 👍 Key Spots: Xiangdian: 11 rooms wide, with a double-eave hipped roof. The beams and columns inside are made of golden nanmu, and the details are exquisitely carved. Ancient Cypress Forest: Hundreds of years old, solemn and solemn, suitable for shooting a quiet atmosphere. ‌5. 🍲 Recommended Food Nearby Traditional Snacks: There are stalls selling old Beijing fried noodles with soybean paste, mung bean milk, and glutinous rice rolls with sweet bean flour near Tai Miao. After visiting, you can walk to Nanchizi Street or Qianmen Dashilan to taste them. High-end Dining: At the nearby "Siji Minfu Roast Duck Restaurant" (Forbidden City Store), you can overlook the moat, but you need to queue in advance. 6. 🌟 Notes: 1. Protect Cultural Relics: Do not touch buildings or climb stone carvings, and do not use flash to take photos of cultural relics in the hall. 2. Weather and Season: In autumn (September to October), the ginkgo trees turn golden and the red leaves are reflected, making it the best season to visit. In winter, keep warm. 3. Off-peak Visit: There are more tourists in the afternoon on weekends and holidays. It is recommended to enter before 10 am or after 3 pm, when the light is softer and it is easier to take photos. 4. Ancient Costume Rental: There are many photography shops nearby. It is recommended to ask several shops to compare prices before deciding. The price of makeup is about CNY 199–349 per person. ✅ Summary: Tai Miao combines history, architecture, and photography. With fewer people and beautiful scenery, you can unlock the same royal style as the Forbidden City for only CNY 2. Follow this guide to easily avoid the crowds and take your own "Forbidden City alternative" photos!