Hiring a guide - Forbidden City
 

When I was in Pompeii last October, my friends and I hired one of the guides that was hanging around the entrance. He, along with the others, were licensed.

Is it possible to hire a guide at the entrance to the Forbidden city?

Thanks,

Monica ((F))

When we visited The Forbidden City, we rented an electronic audio guide. We were greatly pleased and amused when we heard the voice on it -- Roger Moore, of James Bond fame.

Hmmmm, James Bond taking me around the FC? Sounds like fun!

Monica ((F))

As you buy your ticket you will be accosted by guides with differing degrees of legitimacy but in general having little clue what they're talking about and more than happy to tell you whatever pleases or impresses you. They should be avoided.

The days of Bond are long gone, and the new audio guide is able to tell where you are and that switches itself on as necessary. It covers a far greater area than the original system did. Its information is the official view, and thus by definition not reliable.

There are English signs by most halls and gardens, and your tickets come with a little map. A larger map with detailed itineraries to follow on foot is available from bookstores within the palace. You'd be far better to use one of these and to read and/or take one of the many books on the palace (a new one by Geremie Barme due out in March, I think), or a well-educated guide book, which will be more accurate than anything human or electronic available at the site.

Peter N-H

Thanks Peter for the suggestion!

Monica ((F))

Gosh, and my wife was looking forward to having Roger Moore whisper into her ear once again after an absence of 15 years!

Yeah, me too! ;)

Monica ((F))