The Forbidden City is too crowded to queue up, so you can go to Hengdian, where you can book the entire Forbidden City replica
Hengdian's miniature version of the Forbidden City is a 1:1 reproduction used as a filming location. TV dramas such as 'Empresses in the Palace', 'Palace', and 'Scarlet Heart' were all filmed here.
⛰【Travel Tips】
📍Detailed address: Huan Cheng North Road, Hengdian Town, Dongyang City, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province
🚗Transportation Tips:
Long-distance bus
There are direct buses to Hengdian from Hangzhou, with a total journey of about 2-3 hours.
1. There are direct buses to Hengdian temporary bus station from Hangzhou South Bus Station, with a fare of 64 yuan. The early bus from Hangzhou to Hengdian is at 6:50, and the last bus from Hengdian to Hangzhou is at 17:40.
2. There are direct buses to Hengdian temporary bus station from Hangzhou Tourism Distribution Center (Huanglong Sports Center). The early bus from Hangzhou to Hengdian is at 8:00, and the last bus from Hengdian to Hangzhou is at 15:30.
It takes about 4 hours to travel from Shanghai.
There are direct buses to Hengdian from the long-distance bus terminal at the north square of Shanghai Railway Station, with the early bus from Shanghai to Hengdian at 9:00, and the last bus from Hengdian to Shanghai at 16:00.
Transportation within Hengdian Film and Television City
There are tourist buses running between the scenic spots in Hengdian Film and Television City, with a bus every 15 minutes, and the fare is 3 yuan/person. You can also take a pedicab, with prices ranging from 10 to 20 yuan depending on the route, and bargaining is possible. Additionally, if you stay at designated partner hotels of Hengdian Film and Television City, there are free shuttle buses to the various scenic spots.
🕙Opening hours: 08:00-16:30
💰Ticket price: 180 yuan
🌟Highlights:
1. The construction techniques of the Ming and Qing dynasties' royal architecture, combined with the unique construction methods of the film and television city, imitate the rituals of the Tang, Song, Yuan, and other periods, and incorporate the architectural style of the Republic of China, bringing together four major architectural series: imperial palaces, royal gardens, princely mansions, and hutong residences, authentically reproducing the official and civilian residences, market shops, and palace facades of various historical periods in Yanjing.
2. The golden and splendid imperial palaces, the naturally formed garden lakes, the magnificent dragon and phoenix eaves, and the grand imperial palace square become a great place for visitors to explore the deep palace, seek the past, and admire the ancient capital of a thousand years.
📌Little Tips:
1. Tour routes:
Central axis tour route: Daming Gate — Imperial Road — Chang'an Street — Huabiao — Jinshui River, Imperial Road Bridge — Chengtian Gate — Wumen — Taihe Gate — Taihe Hall Square — Great Bronze Vats — Taihe Hall Danbi — Taihe Hall — Qianqing Gate and Qianqing Gate Square — Qianqing Palace front road and east and west corridor rooms — Qianqing Palace — Jiaotai Hall — Half Dou — Kunning Palace — Shenwu Gate
East area tour route: Prince Gong's Mansion — Mansion Garden — Rear Courtyard Bao Yue Tower — Li Guangjian's Mansion — Yinan Hall — Prince Gong Yi Xin — Mansion Yamen — Princess Mansion — Ke Garden — Palace Market Street — Yongding Gate — Guangji Temple
West area tour route: Chuxiu Palace — Lijing Pavilion — Changyin Pavilion — Yue Shi Building — Guhua Pavilion — Shufang Studio and Shufang Studio Stage — Yiqing Book History — Changchun Palace — Tiyuan Hall — Taiji Hall — Yangxin Hall — Imperial Garden — Panlong Pavilion — Zao Hall and Chengrui Pavilion — Duixiu Mountain — Qin'an Hall — Yanhui Pavilion — Liubei Pavilion — Qianqiu Pavilion — Yangxing Studio — Nine Dragon Wall — Wuyu Field — Jiangxue Pavilion — Xihua Gate — Watchtower — Old Beijing Courtyard House
2. Performances
Forbidden Ceremony 9:0014:00
A large-scale live-action film stage play with the Forbidden City as the main background, telling the story of the Forbidden City's trials and tribulations over more than 580 years from its completion to the establishment of the People's Republic of China. The theater is located in the area from Xihua Gate to the Manchu and Han Imperial Feast area, with a building area of about 4,000 square meters and a total investment of more than 50 million. The program lasts for 40 minutes, with about 140 performers.
Eight Banners Horse Battle 10:00/13:00
With exciting live performances, it recreates the thrilling scene when Emperor Kangxi intimidated the Three Feudatories, and the prosperity of the Qing Dynasty, a dynasty on horseback. Classic plots, strict royal majesty, superb horsemanship, and thrilling horse battles will surely bring you great excitement and exhilaration. The horses kick up dust and sand, as if witnessing heroes competing in the Central Plains. The breathtaking equestrian stunts and extraordinary film elements make the wind follow the horses, and the heart follows the movement, bringing a rebirth-like thrill. Whether it's Kangxi or Ao Bai, Ruo Lan or Ming Yu, you can also experience the excitement of riding and controlling a horse.
Secret Play of the Qing Palace 11:00/15:00
When visiting Hengdian, one must experience the life of a drama crew. With the popularity of palace dramas today, 'Secret Play of the Qing Palace' is the top choice. The female director directs the scene live, showing how Wei Xiaobao and Princess Jianning bravely break into Ao Bai's mansion to steal the Forty-Two Chapters. The humorous and witty performance, the most direct visual effects, and the thrilling stunts take you to peek into the magical world of film. With the help of green screen keying film effects, the images are vividly reproduced. It allows you to appreciate the diverse life of the Qing palace, and while marveling at the program's fantasy, it also brings you laughter, so why not enjoy it!
The part of the Forbidden City is quite like the back, it is indeed better than the restoration of the Forbidden City. Prince Gong's Mansion is worth seeing. It has an ancient artistic conception, and there are few people. You can walk among it. I went in winter. There were a lot of flowers and trees. Spring and summer may have better scenery.
I think it’s very good. A very good trip is very similar to the Forbidden City. You can also watch the show. It’s great. I think the fare is worth it. I will wait for the next time. There are still many fun things that have not been finished.
A great trip through time and space, back to the Qing Dynasty, rented an electric car, watched the show, very suitable, the performance is very realistic, the equestrian performance of the Eight Banners is very good, I will bring my family to play together in the future
[View] Very beautiful [Cost-effective] The performance is very good
The Ming and Qing Palace is so big, the Royal Garden is beautiful. There are dramas in the harem.