From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in Forbidden City?
Jumbo English rules in the 2018 multilingual booklet
The player who has, at some point, traveled closest to the Forbidden City in China starts.
Rule details
Play then proceeds clockwise.
This is Jumbo’s tile-laying Forbidden City by Reiner Knizia, not the separate game Gùgōng.
Source & edition
- Forbidden City multilingual manual: English sectionJumbo · Starting the Game · Checked 2026-09-24Printed page references: 18
Image: © Jumbo and any cover-art licensors or artists (precise ownership not stated in the rulebook) · Jumbo
If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say. If you need a tie-break, pick a player at random.
More starting rules
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
VolcanoWhoever has traveled closest to molten lava goes first. The rules also suggest choosing randomly as an alternative.
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HeliosThe player who has traveled to the most continents is the first player.
Ice TumbleWhoever has traveled farthest north goes first.
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Free game-night tools: score keeper · turn timer · dice roller · all tools
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