Tiananmen Tower

天安门城楼

The Tiananmen Tower is located at the north end of Tiananmen Square, on the central axis of Beijing. It is one of the most magnificent towers in ancient China and a must-see for every tourist in Beijing. From Tiananmen Square, you can see the towering Tiananmen Tower from afar. When you walk to the foot of the tower, the red tower that you have seen countless times in textbooks and on TV is right within reach.

The interior of the tower is antique, and you can visit the reception room of the past, as well as a graphic exhibition to learn about the evolution of Tiananmen Square in different periods and the important events that have been held here. Many tourists imitate Chairman Mao’s classic waving gesture at the founding ceremony of the People’s Republic of China and take photos here, which gives them a very wonderful sense of time travel and national pride.

It is also worth mentioning that the night view of the Tiananmen Tower is also very beautiful. When the lights come on, the tower lights up the landscape lights, which complement the other buildings in Tiananmen Square and look particularly magnificent.

Introduction

  • Attraction Location: "Tiananmen Square, Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京市东城区天安门广场)"

  • History: Built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, Tiananmen Gate Tower served as the main entrance to the Imperial City of Beijing. It has been a symbolic site of Chinese history, including the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China in 1949. The gate has witnessed imperial processions, national celebrations, and modern political events.
  • Architecture: The tower is a traditional Chinese-style building with a grand double-eaved roof, golden glazed tiles, and painted rafters. Its structure features a central hall, flanking side halls, and a wide staircase leading up to the main platform. Large portraits of national leaders adorn the front façade, making it iconic for photography.
  • Cultural Value: Tiananmen Gate Tower is a cultural symbol of Beijing and China. It represents imperial authority, modern political significance, and national pride. It is often associated with major celebrations, military parades, and official ceremonies.
  • Other Information: Visitors can enter the tower to explore exhibitions about the history of the gate, the Imperial City, and significant events in Chinese history. The tower offers elevated views of Tiananmen Square and the surrounding Forbidden City.

Visiting Information

  • Opening Hours: "08:30 – 17:00 (Last entry: 16:30), open all year"

  • Ticket Price: "40 CNY (Adults)
    20 CNY (Students/Seniors)
    Free for children under 1.2m height"

  • Best Photo Spots: "Front view from Tiananmen Square capturing the entire tower and national flag
    From the tower balcony for panoramic views of Tiananmen Square
    Night shots with illumination and surrounding square lights"
    Time Reference: "Early morning (08:30–10:00) for fewer crowds; evening lights for photography"

Where to Sleep (Nearby Hotels & Stays)

  • Luxury: "The Peninsula Beijing (北京半岛酒店)
    Grand Hyatt Beijing (北京王府半岛君悦酒店)"
  • Mid-range: "Novotel Beijing Peace (北京诺富特和平酒店)
    Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing (北京王府井铂尔曼酒店)"
  • Budget & Boutique: "Beijing 161 Wangfujing Hotel (北京161王府井酒店)
    Beijing Downtown Backpackers Accommodation (北京胡同背包客栈)"

What & Where to Eat

  • Must-Try Dishes: "Peking Duck (北京烤鸭)
    Jianbing (煎饼, Chinese crepe)
    Beijing-style noodles (炸酱面)"
  • Famous Spots: "Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant (全聚德烤鸭店)
    Da Dong Roast Duck (大董烤鸭店)
    Jingzun Restaurant (京尊餐厅, traditional Beijing cuisine)"

What Souvenirs to Buy

  • Miniature Tiananmen models, Chinese calligraphy scrolls, cultural art postcards, traditional silk accessories, and national flag merchandise.

Transportation

  • Subway: Line 1, Tiananmen East Station (天安门东站) or Tiananmen West Station (天安门西站), short walk to the tower
  • Bus: Routes 1, 5, 52, 82, 120 stop at Tiananmen Square
  • Taxi / Ride-hailing: Directly to Tiananmen Square (天安门广场)
  • Walking: Easily accessible from the Forbidden City, Wangfujing area, and surrounding city center

Nearby Attractions

  • Forbidden City (故宫博物院, Gùgōng Bówùyuàn) – 0.5 km north, walkable through Meridian Gate (午门)
  • Mausoleum of Mao Zedong (毛主席纪念堂, Máo Zhǔxí Jìniàntáng) – 0.2 km south, walkable in Tiananmen Square
  • National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆, Zhōngguó Guójiā Bówùguǎn) – 0.5 km east, walkable along east side of Tiananmen Square

Tips for Visitors

  • Arrive early to avoid large tourist crowds, especially during national holidays.
  • Security check is required to enter Tiananmen Square; have your ID ready.
  • Photography is allowed, but tripods may be restricted during peak times.
  • Wear comfortable shoes; you may walk extensively around the square and nearby attractions.
  • Combine with a visit to the Forbidden City for a full historical experience.
  • Check weather conditions as Beijing winters are cold and summers hot.

Recommended itineraries

  • Route 1 (Historical Core, Half-Day):
    Tiananmen Gate Tower → Forbidden City → Lunch at Quanjude Roast Duck → Exit via Meridian Gate
    Transportation: Walkable
  • Route 2 (Cultural Landmarks, One Day):
    Morning: Tiananmen Gate Tower → Mausoleum of Mao Zedong → National Museum of China
    Afternoon: Explore Tiananmen Square → Wangfujing shopping street for snacks and souvenirs
    Transportation: Walk between attractions
  • Route 3 (Two-Day Historical & Modern Mix):
    D1: Tiananmen Gate Tower → Forbidden City → Jingshan Park (景山公园) for panoramic views
    D2: Wangfujing pedestrian street → Beijing Donghua Temple or modern CBD areas
    Transportation: Walk to Jingshan Park from Forbidden City; taxi/subway to Wangfujing and CBD

User Reviews

By Ada910 |

If you haven't been there, it's worth a visit.

By call |

The best among the kings, it is worth a visit. After 6 years in Beijing, I have been there many times with my family and friends. The solemnity is better than anything else.

By 随心-New |

After dinner, I walked around for a bit. I needed to go through security check before entering. There were quite a lot of people visiting...

By Jingma|

I went there with my family. The tower in the evening was also very beautiful.

By lisa |

The place where the founding ceremony was held, there are many exhibition areas inside the city wall, and the scenery is nice!

By Luanqimeipaopao|

The tower is very high and you can only look at it from a distance, you cannot walk into it.

By Jump Jump ~ Ni |

Such a place full of tolerance and culture is a must-go in this life

By Little dolphin |

If you have a chance, you should come and watch the flag raising ceremony and feel it.

By perf |

The heart of China, everyone should visit it if they have the chance.

By fincen |

A must-go place for Chinese people, must give 5 stars, magnificent and grand

By Zhong Yu|

It is a place that every Chinese should visit once.

By Monica |

The scenery of the imperial capital is very beautiful, and it is suitable to go there during the off-season. There will be fewer people before the Spring Festival.

By 張💕🐟 |

A must-see place in Beijing, I feel awe-inspiring

By wa-m-y |

這因該不是普通遊客能上去的,我上去過看升旗還不錯

By Talented and Busy|

It is very wonderful, solemn and majestic. The Forbidden City is inside.

By Xiaocao|

The square does not require tickets, there is security check, and I think an ID card is required, I don’t remember clearly, but there is a ticket for the tower, which is not expensive

By heavon1 |

The view from upstairs is very good and the view is wide.

By Tan Xue! ! |

Shocking! Solemn! Awesome! I feel so excited. Life is more exciting than clocking in!

By Piggy Pigman |

This place is on the news every day, but it feels different to actually stand there. I feel proud of my country.

By Ray |

No backpack, no backpack, no backpack.

By Wandering Sleeper|

The core of the motherland, the center of Beijing, no matter where you are from, you must come and see it.

By that6papertowel|

Beautiful, nice scenery, long history, worthy of being the capital

By LOVE@pig@ |

A city tower that is familiar to all Chinese people. You must visit it when you go to Beijing.

By Leah |

My favorite place, I visit it every time I go to Beijing.

By Mr. ZhangMuLi |

I often pass by by car, and I will definitely take a good look when I have the chance.

By Lee Kingdom |

The symbol of our great motherland. I feel a sense of pride when I come here.

By Xia, Xiao Liang |

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

By Yishujun|

I have visited the capital five times, and gained something different every time.

By 詩&逺方 |

This is a place where almost all Chinese people must take photos when they come here.

By Li Li|

It is magnificent and majestic. It is a beautiful place.

By Dongmu Yingxue_Drlent |

I came to Beijing twice. The first time was with my friends and the second time was with my mother. So it is a must-visit place anyway.

By Stranger|

I passed by with my family on the way to the Forbidden City and stopped for a while to feel the grandeur of the imperial capital.

By Xinwen Image|

Landmark building, long history, Chinese must go~

By A Laugh in the Sea |

It is a symbol of our great motherland and you must go and see it.

By March|

Without a doubt, go up and feel the country you live in.

By Mirror World |

It is very spectacular. I feel the greatness of our motherland and feel deeply proud and proud.

By valley |

It used to be very easy to go there, just climb up to see the square, but now you have to queue for a long time...

By Tree Shadow |

A must-see place in Beijing, avoid the peak season

By imam who loves freedom |

Spectacular. But there are a lot of people. Remember not to go there at noon in summer, as it is too sunny.

By GGGGiulia |

This is a must-visit place for foreign friends. I came here once when I was very young and I don't remember anything. I went there again during my graduation trip.

By that month that month |

A must-see attraction in Beijing, a place you must visit when you come to Beijing.

By Large Lightning Fish |

The faith in the hearts of the Chinese people has nothing to do with the scenery

By |

Representatives from Beijing, it’s really nice to take photos at night

By Photographer Zhang Yang Parkour📷 |

The heart of our great motherland, I have passed by it countless times, and it is under repair recently.

By Reading the World|

A must-go place for Chinese people, there is also a National Museum nearby

By Fengsi|

The iconic building of the capital is worth a visit.

By Wangpai Caigen|

This is China's most anticipated city wall, and I climbed it once a long time ago.

By 【敏】 |

It's nothing, I just think it's good. I just think it's spacious, majestic and domineering.

By Cao Wenhan|

擠擠擠....沒法,這裡太多故事了,也太具代表性了

By Jiuyao|

I had the honor of climbing the tower in 2017. It is now closed for maintenance. Standing on the tower and looking out, I feel a lot of emotion.

By Tsuneo Suga |

Magnificent, magnificent, our motherland is great'

By Traveler|

China's history, China's glory, China's pride, China's heart

By Little Chubby Girl |

Time: I went there as a kid in July 1995. I didn't go there again. Is it under renovation? I'm not sure. I hope to go there again.

By Yi Collar Evening Light |

The business card of our motherland, the pride of a country, and the dignity of a nation.

By zhongguohong |

A must-see attraction in Beijing. It feels amazing to stand on the city wall and wave your hands.

By Ivy |

One of the greatest symbolic buildings in China, a must see.

By the jumping little Gesang|

Beijing is a place you will visit again and again if you visit it once

By Xiucai|

There is no need to explain this, all Chinese people know it

By Martian User|

The queue to go upstairs was so long that I thought it was the queue to go to the Forbidden City. But it turned out to be the queue to go up to the city tower. I decided to watch it from a distance.

By CiCi My Neighbor Totoro |

It should be good. I didn't have a chance to check it out this time. I will definitely check it out next time~~

By LaBetol |

There are so many people. No matter what time it is, the view upstairs is still good.

By bandit |

Looking at the national flag raising, I just want to say long live the motherland.

By Rugesuiyue|

An iconic building in the hearts of Chinese people, a place you must visit in your lifetime!

By flower |

The unbreakable warmth may be held in Beijing this year

By Uncle Strawberry|

One of the must-see attractions in Beijing ah ah ah ah ah ~

By Xlsong |

You will pass by here on your way to the Forbidden City. Security check will take time, so it is recommended to leave early.

By Flyer |

This is a place that I think everyone would like to come to.

By ldzzss |

A must-visit place when you come to Beijing to experience the node of modernity and history.

By abelabel |

There’s not much to say. As the heart of the heart of the Republic, it always receives the most attention.

By Arvin |

Very magnificent, I wonder how the ancients built such a city gate

By honest stone|

What else can we say about the central area of ​​China except that it is magnificent.

By 真真.z Z✿ |

I've been there a few times, and every time there are so many people, especially now that there is security check.

By Don't Ask Me Who I Am |

I just took a look and didn't get to go up, which is a bit regrettable.

By Mario |

The scenery is pleasant and beautiful, it is worth visiting!

By Feng Mo Ziran |

The security check line is too long and there are too many people. However, it is a must-see attraction when visiting here. It is not a question of whether it is worth it or not, but you have to come.