Tiananmen Square

天安门广场

On the south side of Chang'an Avenue, on the traditional central axis of Beijing, lies the world's largest square, Tiananmen Square. The center of the square is the Monument to the People's Heroes. Going south through Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall, you will reach Zhengyangmen, also known as Qianmen. To the west of the square is the Great Hall of the People, and to the east is the National Museum. Opposite the square, on the north side of Chang'an Avenue is the Tiananmen Tower, and below the tower is the sparkling Jinshui River. Every morning and evening, a grand and solemn flag-raising and lowering ceremony is held at Tiananmen Square. For those who have just arrived in Beijing, watching a flag-raising and lowering ceremony is an essential thing.

Attractions Location: Tiananmen Square, East Chang'an Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Tickets: Free for sightseeing in Tiananmen Square, 15 yuan/person for climbing the Tiananmen Tower, 5 yuan/person for students, 5 yuan/person for seniors over 70 years old, free for active military personnel, etc.

Opening hours: Off-season (November - February): 8:30-16:30, ticket sales stop at 16:00
Peak season (March-October): 8:30-17:00, ticket sales stop at 16:30

Contact Details: Tiananmen Tower Tel: 010-63095745
Complaint hotline for visiting Tiananmen Tower: 010-63095718

Transportation: Take 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 22, 37, 52, 59, 82, 90, 99, 120, 126, 728, Special Line 1, Special Line 2, or Metro Line 1 and get off at Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West Station
Take 8, 17, 22, 48, 66, 67, 69, 71, 82, 301, 626, 646, 690, 692, Take Line 723, 729, Special 4, Special 7, Special 11, Rapid Bus 1, or Subway Line 2 and get off at Qianmen Station

Time reference: 1-2 hours


Recommended itinerary for Tiananmen Square tours

1-day tour: Tiananmen Square core tour

  • Morning: Flag raising at Tiananmen Square → Monument to the People's Heroes (5-minute walk)
  • Transportation: Metro Line 1, Tiananmen East Station
  • Afternoon: Chairman Mao Memorial Hall → National Museum (10 minutes walk)

In-depth experience of Tiananmen Square’s status as a political and cultural center

Accommodation: Qianmen Siheyuan Boutique Hotel
Food: Lunch: Quanjude Qianmen Roast Duck


2-day tour: two-day experience in the political center

  • Day 1: Full-day tour of Tiananmen Square
  • Day 2: Great Hall of the People (5-minute walk) → Zhongshan Park (10-minute walk)

Comprehensively understand the core areas of Chinese politics and culture

Accommodation: Wangfujing Business District Hotel
Food: Day 2 lunch "Four Seasons Minfu" Forbidden City Store


3-day tour: three consecutive tours of the capital's core

  • Day 1-2 is the same as 2-day tour
  • Day 3: Forbidden City (15 minutes walk) → Jingshan Park (20 minutes walk)

A historical journey from the modern political center to the ancient imperial city

Accommodation: Nanchizi Street Boutique Hotel
Food: Day 3 lunch "Forbidden City Corner Tower Cafe" simple meal


4-day tour: Beijing city center quartet

  • Day 1-3 is the same as the 3-day tour
  • Day 4: Beihai Park (15 minutes by bus No. 5) → Prince Gong’s Mansion

Extended experience of royal gardens and palace culture

Accommodation: Shichahai Courtyard B&B
Food: Day 4 lunch "Fangshan Restaurant" imperial cuisine


5-day tour: in-depth tour of the central axis

  • Day 1-4 is the same as 4-day tour
  • Day 5: Bell and Drum Tower (20 minutes on Metro Line 8) → Olympic Park

A complete experience from the traditional central axis to the modern central axis

Accommodation: Hotel near the Bird's Nest
Food: Day 5 lunch "Xiaodiao Pear Soup" Beijing-style restaurant


6-day tour: Panoramic view of ancient and modern Beijing

  • Day 1-5 is the same as the 5-day tour
  • Day 6: Summer Palace (Metro Line 4 to Xijiao Line 1 hour) → Old Summer Palace

A complete impression of Beijing from the political center to the royal gardens

Accommodation: Aman Summer Palace
Food: Day 6 lunch "Tingli Pavilion" palace banquet


7-day tour: Capital cultural collection

  • Day 1-6 is the same as the 6-day tour
  • Day7: 798 Art District (50 minutes on Metro Line 14) → Sanlitun

A panoramic view of Beijing from traditional culture to modern art

Accommodation: Sanlitun Designer Hotel
Food: Day7 lunch "TRB Hutong" creative Western food


User Reviews

By Not a rich and beautiful woman in the world|

We got up at 5 o'clock, and we fought hard to watch the flag-raising ceremony. When we passed the security check and arrived at the square, the first row was still full, so we had to stand in the second row. It should have been around 6 o'clock, and the flag-raising ceremony was at 7:24. We stood in the cold wind for more than an hour, waiting for the sun to rise and the flag to be raised.
The waiting time was long, and the flag-raising ceremony only lasted for the duration of the national anthem, but there were still crowds of people coming to watch. The couple standing in front of us also came to Beijing for tourism, bringing their two children with them. The old grandfather standing next to me was an old Beijinger, and he had come to see the national flag countless times. The old grandfather behind me held his little grandson in his arms to watch the flag-raising ceremony. Everyone was very excited, and when they saw the national flag rising, everything was worth it.

By Trip-Fendi |

In order to stand in the front row to watch the flag raising ceremony, we went to the square at 3 am in full gear to line up. We thought there would be no one there so early, but there was already a long line. It should be noted that the line-up place is not at the square, but on the road across the square. We stood by the square for four hours in the middle of the night in the temperature of minus ten degrees Celsius, and when the time came, the PLA would let us go and then run to the flag. So it is important to run fast at the back. If you run slowly, you can only see the heads of people and the flag raising scene after the third row.

By pufferfish|

Tiananmen Square is the heart of the capital. As the world's largest city square, its grandeur and historical weight shock the soul. Watching the national flag rise with the sun in the morning light, the solemn ceremony brings tears to your eyes. The white marble Huabiao, the towering city tower and the Monument to the People's Heroes form a magnificent complex of buildings, and every angle is engraved with national memory. It is recommended to visit in the morning and evening to avoid the crowds and take blockbuster photos, and to encounter the special solemnity in the morning and evening. It is connected to the National Museum in the east, the Great Hall of the People in the west, the Forbidden City in the north, and Zhengyangmen in the south. The essence of Chinese civilization is concentrated within a radius of two kilometers. A sense of national pride arises spontaneously, and it is a must-visit place where history and modernity blend.

By King of Amy |

I have been to Beijing 8 times, to the Square 5 times (1984, 1993, 2002, 2010, 2016), and there is nothing else to say.

By \^O^/晨曦ԅ(¯﹃¯ԅ) |

The square is nice, but the photographers are too tricky. In the future, try to take photos with your mobile phone, and don't ask those who take photos with SLR cameras, who call themselves the official photographers of the square. I asked him to take a photo, and he kept asking me to pose in various ways. In the end, he took a lot of photos. At my strong request, he deleted some of them, but there were still a lot. I spent 160 on 8 photos, which I think is not worth it. I regret it so much now. I will never ask those people to take photos again. They are just tricking you, taking photos with various backgrounds, and making you feel embarrassed in the end. They have worked hard for a long time to take photos, and you can't just take one photo, so you have to take photos yourself.

By Kumiko |

The soldiers left the deepest impression on me. They all stood very straight with solemn expressions. Their skin became dark due to the sun. Summer is coming soon. The temperature is over 30 degrees. I feel a little sorry for these soldiers.

By Chu Yunfei QQ |

The world's largest city square is vast and magnificent. During important festivals, the honor guard, band and flag bearer will hold a flag-raising ceremony in the early morning and a flag-lowering ceremony before sunset. At that time, tens of thousands of people will witness this solemn moment together in the square, which is very exciting.

By Ada910 |

It's a magnificent square, but you need to make an appointment to enter Tiananmen Square, or you can enter with other appointments

By Pineapple |

The heart of the motherland! Tiananmen Square is magnificent! Security is strict! There are many people

By Cassandra |

great place surely

By zhm_jinan |

Nothing to say, this is a must visit place

By Ginina |

Don't go in, just pass by and take a look. There are a lot of controls in the surrounding area and security checks are very troublesome.

By China-TravelNote user|

The atmosphere of the 70th anniversary celebration is so strong. I hope to take my kids there every National Day.

By Go out and have a look|

I just took a photo. It's a landmark building. It's quite big.

By bingtaotao |

There are too many people, and it is difficult to buy tickets for the Palace Museum

By MLWG |

If you have the chance, you will definitely come here to watch the flag-raising ceremony! Needless to say, the rest!

By Bule-c |

You must watch the flag raising or lowering, it is solemn and ceremonial, and you can really feel the honor of being a Chinese. There are many people watching, and you can check the flag raising and lowering time online in advance. The time of raising and lowering the flag varies in different seasons.

By Fox's Play |

We went there on July 28th, which was the weekend. It was hot and people were sweating. It was also foggy and hazy, but it was okay to people-watch!

By Yunbao1127 |

I took my kids there during the National Day holiday. There were too many people and there was traffic control near the square, so I had to walk a long way to get to the square. It was just getting dark when I got there, and it was really beautiful when the lights came on.

By Dream Search|

There were so many people and the security check queue was very long. But it was worth a look.

By Glass Bottle |

The symbol of the capital is very sacred, so you must take a photo to commemorate it.

By Romantic Knight |

There are too many cars and the air quality is poor. Most tourists will not choose to come again.

By Accio__ |

It's quite orderly, with bright lights at night, solemn but also a bit of indescribable aesthetic weirdness... For example, the very creative lamp below

By Longji Rice Terraces Yaomi Homestay |

Solemn and grand. There are many people watching the flag-raising ceremony in the morning. If you want to watch it, you have to get up early.

By Tiger Loves Traveling |

As a Chinese, this is a place you must visit in your life.

By kuaikuai121 |

A magnificent and majestic symbol of our motherland. It is great to be born in such a rising country.

By February Starry Sky|

Our capital is really beautiful, a must-visit place

By sand dust|

National landmark, must-see for tourists, world-famous name card

By Bugs |

You must go here, and watch the flag-raising ceremony early.

By Sun Anke|

凌晨時分,騎單車悠閒目睹令人震聶的天安門~雄偉宏觀!!

By Love Freedom Watermelon Juice |

I went to Beijing on New Year's Day. There were so many people waiting for the national flag to be raised, and the wind was very strong. There was still a lot of patriotic sentiment.

By fincen |

Chinese people must go, I can't give it 5 stars. It's best to watch the flag-raising ceremony, and the Forbidden City is inside

By Future Designer |

A must-see attraction in Beijing, a must-visit place!!! The only problem is that the queue for security check is long. If you want to watch the flag-raising ceremony, you have to queue up two or three days later.

By Muchen|

The most central place in Beijing, magnificent, spectacular and awe-inspiring

By Schrodinger's Dog |

This place has witnessed the profound history of the Chinese nation.

By Lu Renyi|

There is no need for a reason, you have to go, you need to see the world

By Fandoudou|

Taken a few days ago. No filter, so beautiful, our imperial city

By the falling little crab|

The national political center and landmark. A must-see when visiting Beijing.

By jill |

The flag-raising ceremony was not as impressive as I had imagined, but it was still worth a look! After watching the flag-raising ceremony, I went to the alley next to it for breakfast, which was very nice!

By Komine |

The greatest square in our world, bar none

By my dearest you|

At the founding ceremony, all flowers bloomed, waiting for the moment when the beloved would return.

By Qingshui Yaran|

It is actually a square, a very large square. Because of the Monument to the People's Heroes, it gives people a different feeling.

By momo |

We set out to watch the flag raising ceremony at around 4 o'clock in the morning. We must set out early and queue up to pass the security check. There will be a lot of people at the back, so it is best to stand in the first row a little early. About 5 minutes before the flag raising ceremony, nearby vehicles also need to stop. The whole ceremony is still very majestic and solemn.

By Piggy Pigman |

There is really no need to comment much on this place, it is a symbol of the country.

By Martian User|

It was wonderful. It was a great trip.

By vania |

Needless to say, it is a symbol of the Chinese people, but it would be better if you could tell us the flag-raising time every day.

By Aqua |

If I say this place is not fun, will I be invited to have tea...? I'll be naughty and try it...

This attraction is very classic and you must visit it when you come to Beijing. It is the heart of the country. It has a strong political atmosphere. You can feel it when you walk on the road.

By Simao Vinegar|

How can I not go? It is not only a landmark of Beijing, but also a landmark of China.

By Wander with Me |

The five stars shine and accompany me forward; the red flag flutters, I love China!

By SuSu|

I thought it was a very majestic place, but there were so many people and it was hot in summer, so I felt irritated.

By Xu Xiang’s perspective |

China's landmarks should be visited at least once in a lifetime.

By Nanami Moire |

No matter what, you have to go once and attend the flag-raising ceremony.

By Oh Howl |

Why does it have to be 15 characters? That's disgusting.

By chencurl |

The heart of the motherland, as a Chinese, I feel proud!

By Low-key|

It is worth seeing, the building is magnificent. But there are many tourists

By Xiwei|

A symbolic building, a must-see! No explanation needed!

By Banbu Cangsang丶|

The center of Beijing, you can go to see the flag-raising ceremony if you have time.

By Lotte Xuanyun |

A must-visit place, with strict security checks, a sacred place for taking photos

By Xia, Xiao Liang |

Must-see attractions in Beijing~The picture was taken when I first came to Beijing in July 2016~

By Drios |

Although Beijing is very cold in winter, there are still many tourists.

By Martian User|

A place representing China. I personally don't think it's anything special, but you can go and see it.

By Love Traveling|

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, I came to the square early to watch the flag-raising ceremony and sing the national anthem. My patriotic feelings gradually rose.

By Rabbit|

I went there both in the evening and in the morning. It was a different experience. The soldiers were all handsome~~

By Backpack Wind |

The center of Chinese politics and culture, one of the must-see attractions in China

By China-TravelNote user|

Environmental monitoring oh oh oh oh oh oh cool rabbit tat tat

By a little flower|

We happened to catch the flag-lowering ceremony. In the afterglow, in front of the solemn Heroes Monument, listening to the soldiers' orderly footsteps, the national flag slowly fell, and a solemn picture unfolded before our eyes. Everyone held up their cameras and mobile phones, wanting to record this sacred scene. At this moment, we are all proud to be the children of China!

By Qiansui|

You must go, you must go. This is the symbol of the country.

By Don't Ask Me Where I Come From |

A must-visit place for Chinese people! Magnificent!! Sacred!!

By Mammoth |

When I came here, I happened to see the honor guard raising and lowering the national flag. I took a few photos to prove that I had been there, and that was it.

By Panda has little strength |

A must-see in Beijing. The big flower baskets during the Chinese New Year are what we Beijingers love to see the most.

By valley |

The heart of the motherland, the center of everyone's heart.

By imam who loves freedom |

One of the must-see attractions. The flag-raising ceremony every morning is a must-see. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to watch the flag-raising ceremony last time, but I will definitely go next time.

By Huanxue|

If you want to get the best seat for the flag-raising ceremony, you have to stay up late to reserve a spot. I don't have the energy to do that on such a cold night, so I just came to feel the atmosphere from a distance. But there were too many people in the square and it was too noisy. The noise was louder than the national anthem, and it was completely different from the solemnity and sacredness I imagined when the Chinese flag was slowly raised.

By Godot |

You need to go through security check to enter the square now. Comrades who are going there please pay attention to your appearance.