Tiananmen Square is located in the heart of Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, and is one of the largest city-center squares in the world. It is not only one of Beijing's most iconic architectural landmarks, but also an important symbol of China. On the north side of the square stands the Tiananmen Gate Tower, which served as the main entrance to the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Forbidden City (now the Palace Museum). It is also the site where major national celebrations and military parades of the People's Republic of China are held.
At the center of the square stands the Monument to the People's Heroes, built to commemorate the heroes who sacrificed their lives since 1840 in struggles against internal and external enemies and in the pursuit of national independence, freedom, and happiness for the people. In addition, on the east side of the square is the National Museum of China, while the Great Hall of the People is on the west side, and Qianmen Street and the commercial district lie to the south.
Tiananmen Square is not only an important venue for political events, but also one of Beijing's major tourist attractions. Every morning, the flag-raising ceremony held here attracts large numbers of visitors. The historic and modern buildings surrounding the square complement one another, reflecting Beijing's character as a city with a long history that continues to evolve.
Tiananmen Square at a Glance
The main landmarks in Tiananmen Square include the Tiananmen Gate Tower, the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, the National Museum of China, and the Great Hall of the People. Nearby attractions and venues include the Working People's Cultural Palace, Zhongshan Park, and the Palace Museum.
△Tiananmen Gate Tower
△Monument to the People's Heroes
△Chairman Mao Memorial Hall
△National Museum of China
△Great Hall of the People
Tiananmen Square Reservation Guide
PS: Visitors who have successfully reserved admission to the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, the Palace Museum, Zhongshan Park, or the Working People's Cultural Palace may enter Tiananmen Square during the morning, afternoon, or flag-lowering periods by presenting their reservation record for that day, without making a separate reservation for the square. To watch the flag-raising ceremony, however, you must reserve the “Flag Raising” time slot separately in advance and arrive on time.
PS: If you want to attend the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square or visit the Tiananmen Gate Tower, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Great Hall of the People, Palace Museum, or National Museum of China, you generally need to be ready to reserve tickets as soon as they are released. During public holidays, reservations are especially difficult to secure.
Click here for the “Forbidden City” travel guide: Forbidden City Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Click here for the “National Museum of China” travel guide: National Museum of China Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Watching the Flag-Raising Ceremony at Tiananmen Square
🔃The Full Process:
Queue and wait➡Pass security screening➡Verify your ID➡Find a viewing spot➡Wait for the flag-raising ceremony
⚠Recommended Arrival Time:
🔻Some people start lining up as early as 1:00 a.m., although arriving around 3:00 a.m. is generally more practical
🔻If you want a prime spot in the front row, you will need to start entering around 1:00 a.m.
🔻If you do not mind where you stand, arriving around 4:00–5:00 a.m. is generally fine
🛂Choosing a Security Checkpoint:
⭐To watch the honor guard march past, choose Entrances 1 or 2
⭐For a closer view of the flag-raising ceremony, choose Entrances 3, 4, or 7
⭐In terms of crowd size: Entrances 1 and 2<Entrances 3 and 7<Entrance 4
Visiting the Tiananmen Gate Tower
➡️ Detailed Visiting Process for the Tiananmen Gate Tower
PS: The entire visitor route is one-way, so you cannot retrace your steps!
①Cross the Golden Water Bridge at Tiananmen, pass through the gate, and enter the inner square
②Store your belongings: Except for your ID card, mobile phone, and camera, bags and other items cannot be taken up to the gate tower. Store them free of charge at the luggage storage area first
③Show a screenshot of your reservation and enter through the visitor entrance
④Go through a second security check and scan your ID card to verify your ticket
⑤Walk up the ramp and climb the stairs to the gate tower
⑥Highlights inside the gate tower: interior displays, items from the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China, historical photographs, ornate carved beams and painted decorations along the corridors, fluttering red flags, and panoramic views over the square
⑦Exit after descending: After collecting your belongings, the route remains one-way, so you must first continue to the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City before choosing where to go next. If you have a reservation for the Forbidden City, you can continue directly. If not, you can return to the subway more quickly via Zhongshan Park or the Working People's Cultural Palace. If you plan to take a taxi, you will need to walk to the intersection outside the East Glorious Gate of the Forbidden City
Visiting the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall
✅【Visiting Route】
Your ID card will be checked several times during the visit
📍Subway Line 1 Tian’anmen East Station Exit D / Line 2 Qianmen Station Exit A→Square security checkpoint (ID check)→Luggage storage area (reservation code check)→Queueing area (across the road from the luggage storage area)→Queueing passage (ID checked twice)→Free drinking water area→Flower purchase area (optional)→Enter the memorial hall→Collect a commemorative ticket after the visit→Return to collect your belongings and leave
✅【Luggage Storage Guide】
🌟The luggage storage area is located on the east side of the square, and the two security checkpoints shown in the picture are the closest
🌟 Storage is available only from 8:00–11:30, free of charge, using self-service lockers
🌟 Except for your ID card and mobile phone, all other items must be stored before entry
✅【Other Tips】
1. You cannot enter without a reservation, and simply lining up will not help
2. The square security checkpoint has a priority lane for elderly visitors and children
3. The queueing area has a priority lane for visitors aged 70 and above
4. Flowers can be purchased voluntarily for CNY 3 each, with 3 flowers per bouquet
5. You may not stop or take photos during the visit
Visiting the Great Hall of the People
🌈The Great Hall of the People is where representatives from across the country discuss state affairs and hold meetings, and it is also an important venue for major state and diplomatic events. The building has four floors, and its facade resembles the Chinese character for “mountain”, with a slightly higher central section and lower wings. A total of 134 round columns surround the building. Inside are more than 300 meeting rooms and offices, including dedicated rooms named after China's 34 provincial-level regions. Some rooms on the first and second floors are currently open to the public.
🗺️Route to the Building and Security Check Process:
1. Take Subway Line 2 to Qianmen Station Exit C (your ID will be checked as soon as you exit the subway), or take a taxi to the Guangqi Hotel Square Branch
2. Walk through the underground passage to the square security checkpoint, where your ID will be checked
3. At the queue entrance for Great Hall of the People visitors, present your ID card and reservation confirmation
4. At the Great Hall of the People security checkpoint, your belongings will be inspected. Suitcases, large bags, food, water, and selfie sticks longer than 1.3 meters are not allowed. Luggage storage is available on-site
5. After security screening, follow the signs to the entrance of the Great Hall of the People, where you will scan your ID card once more before entering
🗺️Indoor Visiting Route and Highlights (1–2 Hours):
➡️1st Floor: Main Lobby (Spring Heralding Painting)→Hunan Hall→Take the stairs to the 2nd floor
➡️2nd Floor: Liaoning Hall→Great Auditorium (five-pointed star ceiling)→East Hall→Reception Hall (So Rich in Beauty Is Our Land painting)→Shanghai Hall→Guangdong Hall→Take the stairs down to the 1st floor
➡️1st Floor: Sichuan Hall→Taiwan Hall→Press Conference Hall→Main Lobby Exit (collect a logo paper cup)
PS: Each hall has a different and beautiful chandelier, while the provincial-themed halls feature corresponding murals and handicrafts.
💡Visiting Tips:
🗓️Opening hours: Daily 08:30–15:00
🎫Tickets: Tickets are released on the WeChat Mini Program at 17:00 three days in advance. Even if reservations appear fully booked, keep checking, as canceled tickets may become available again
💰Adults CNY 30, university students CNY 15, free for visitors under 18 and over 60
🍜Food & drinks: A free drinking water dispenser and paper cups are available near the first-floor exit
🎁Souvenirs: Cultural and creative products are sold at the far end of the photo exhibition hall; the commemorative medals are worth checking out
❤️There are many sofas and chairs inside the Great Hall of the People where visitors can rest
⚠Be sure to bring your ID card‼️ It will be checked at least three times during the visit
TIPS
❌Food and water are not allowed inside the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, the Great Hall of the People, or the Tiananmen Gate Tower
❌Selfie sticks are not allowed inside the National Museum of China, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, or Great Hall of the People
❌Visitors wearing historical costumes or Qing-style princess costumes are not allowed to enter the square
❌Avoid bringing bags if possible, as security screening and storing and retrieving bags can take extra time
❌The route from the Tiananmen Gate Tower to the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City is one-way, so take your photos of the front of the gate tower before crossing the Golden Water Bridge
❌Try not to drink too much water while queueing so you can keep your place; restrooms are available after you enter
❌To secure a front-row spot for the flag-raising ceremony, expect to wait at least four to five hours. If you cannot get to the front, your view may be largely blocked by the crowd
✅Be sure to bring your ID card!!
✅Museums are closed on Mondays, so the square tends to have the fewest visitors then
✅Flag-raising and flag-lowering times vary each day, so check the official website in advance
✅The luggage storage area for the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall is on the east side of the square. The Forbidden City, National Museum of China, Tiananmen Gate Tower, and Great Hall of the People each have their own luggage storage facilities
Suggested Combination Itineraries
①Tiananmen Square→Flag-Raising Ceremony→Palace Museum
②National Museum of China→Tiananmen Square→Flag-Lowering Ceremony
③Tiananmen Square→Chairman Mao Memorial Hall→Great Hall of the People→Tiananmen Gate Tower
The exact itinerary should be arranged according to your reservation times
