Spending an entire day at the Forbidden City is not an exaggeration. The complex is vast, and each courtyard hides fascinating details.
I booked the ticket in advance, which is essential. After the visit, I took advantage of the fact that the Temple of Heaven wasn’t far to combine both in the same day using transportation in Beijing.
If you’re planning your trip to travel to Beijing, I recommend saving the Forbidden City for a day with good weather: much of the tour is outdoors.