Many first-time visitors to Beijing list Tiananmen Square as their first stop. Located in central Beijing, the square is 880 meters long north-south, 500 meters wide east-west, covering 440,000 square meters and holding 1 million people for rallies. It is one of the world’s largest city squares. As China’s national symbol, it is a core landmark and key attraction for understanding Beijing’s history and culture, with great visiting value. Entering Tiananmen Square requires advance knowledge of reservation rules, opening hours, security check regulations and other details. This article explains them one by one to help you enter smoothly on site.
Basic Information of Tiananmen Square in Beijing
Tiananmen Square in Beijing is located in the center of Beijing, with the National Museum of China on the east, the Great Hall of the People on the west, Tiananmen Rostrum directly to the north, and Zhengyangmen to the south.
Admission to Tiananmen Square in Beijing is free. The square is usually open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The flag-raising time is the sunrise time of the day, and the flag-lowering time is the sunset time of the day, with great differences between winter and summer.
Notes on opening hours:
- The flag-raising time changes with sunrise, around 7:00 a.m. in winter and 5:00 a.m. in summer.
- The flag-lowering time changes with sunset, earlier in winter and later in summer.
- The square is lit up at night, with Tiananmen Rostrum and the Monument to the People’s Heroes illuminated, making it suitable for taking night views.
- Admission opens 1 hour before the daily flag-raising ceremony. It is recommended to check the specific time of the day in advance.
Tiananmen Rostrum
Introduction to Major Buildings in Tiananmen Square in Beijing
There are many buildings of historical and political significance around and inside Tiananmen Square in Beijing, which are worth stopping for visitors to see.
- Tiananmen Rostrum. Located at the north end of the square, with red walls and yellow tiles, it is the landmark building of the square. Visitors can climb the rostrum to visit and overlook the square with a wide view.
- Monument to the People’s Heroes. Located in the center of the square, with a total height of 37.94 meters, it is the largest monument in China. The front of the monument is engraved with eight large characters “Eternal Glory to the People’s Heroes”, and the back is the inscription. The monument was built to commemorate the heroes who sacrificed their lives in the People’s Liberation War and the People’s Revolution.
- Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. Located to the south of the monument, the main building is surrounded by 44 stone columns, featuring a national style.
- Great Hall of the People. Located on the west side of the square, it is a venue for major meetings and foreign affairs activities in China.
- National Museum of China. Located on the east side of the square, it is symmetric with the Great Hall of the People from east to west. The museum has a rich collection of cultural relics from ancient times to modern times.
- Zhengyangmen Rostrum. Located at the southernmost end of the square, it was the main gate of the inner city of Beijing during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Pay attention to the location and appearance differences of these buildings during the visit, and you can understand the overall layout of the square more completely.
How to Reserve Tiananmen Square in Beijing
Advance reservation is required to enter Tiananmen Square in Beijing. The reservation must be completed 1 to 7 days in advance, and no reservation can be made on the same day. The reservation system updates available quotas in batches at 12:00 every day.
Documents for Reservation
Foreign visitors use passports to make reservations. Please check carefully when filling in your name and passport number. After arriving at the square entrance, the staff will verify the reservation information and the original passport. Entry is allowed only if the information is consistent. It is recommended to save the screenshot of successful reservation.
Reservation Notes
- Each reservation form can reserve up to 10 people.
- The same document number can only be reserved once in the same time slot.
- Reservation time slots are divided into flag-raising, morning, afternoon and flag-lowering. A “flag-raising”time slot reservation is required to watch the flag-raising ceremony, and a “flag-lowering”time slot reservation is required to watch the flag-lowering ceremony.
Cases Where No Separate Reservation Is Needed
If you have reserved the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong or the Great Hall of the People, you can enter the square directly with the reservation record of the day. If you only reserve the Palace Museum or the National Museum of China, you still need to make a separate reservation for Tiananmen Square.
Watching Flag-Raising and Flag-Lowering Ceremonies at Tiananmen Square in Beijing
Flag-Raising Ceremony
The flag-raising time is the sunrise time of the day. It is recommended to arrive at least 1 to 2 hours early to queue up. Keep warm in winter and prevent mosquitoes in summer. If you want to stand in the front row, you need to arrive in the early morning.
Three optional viewing positions:
- Jinshui Bridge in front of Tiananmen Rostrum: you can watch the honor guard walking out of Tiananmen Rostrum at close range.
- North of the Monument to the People’s Heroes in the square: directly facing the flagpole with a wide view.
- Chang’an Avenue section: far from the flagpole, but with relatively fewer people.
Flag-Lowering Ceremony
The flag-lowering time is the sunset time of the day. Fewer people watch the flag-lowering ceremony, and the atmosphere is solemn. You can enjoy the night view of the square after the flag-lowering ceremony. A separate “flag-lowering”time slot reservation is required.
How to Choose Security Check Entrances for Tiananmen Square in Beijing
There are several security check entrances around the square. Choosing the right entrance can reduce queuing time.
There are five security check entrances numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7. Choose the entrance according to the viewing position:
- For the No.1 viewing position (watching the honor guard walk out), enter through the No.1 security check entrance.
- For the No.2 viewing position, enter through the No.2 security check entrance.
- To watch the flag-raising ceremony directly in front of the flagpole, it is recommended to enter through the No.3 or No.7 security check entrance for the best view.
Practical tips:
- The security check entrances on the west side have fewer people, and the entrance near Tiananmen West Subway Station is relatively less crowded.
- The No.4 security check entrance is mostly for group tours, with a mix of individual and group visitors and the largest flow of people. It is recommended to avoid it.
Security Check Regulations and Prohibited Items for Entering Tiananmen Square in Beijing
All people entering the square must go through security check.
Prohibited Items
According to the regulations of the Tiananmen Area Administration, the following items are prohibited from being brought into the square:
- Dangerous substances such as explosives, toxic substances and radioactive materials.
- Controlled appliances such as guns, ammunition and daggers.
- Contraband items such as drugs and pornographic materials.
- Other items that affect social order and public safety.
Restrictions on Common Items
- Lighters, matches: prohibited.
- Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs): prohibited.
- Large tripods: generally prohibited if the length exceeds 1.3 meters.
- Power banks: prohibited if the capacity exceeds 20,000 mAh.
- Sunscreen spray: allowed.
- Small desktop tripods or handheld stabilizers: usually allowed, subject to the on-site judgment of security check personnel.
Tips to Reduce Queuing Time
- Try not to bring bags or only bring a small number of items. If you must bring bags, one person can carry them centrally, and others can go through the bag-free channel.
- Use the restroom in advance before watching the flag-raising ceremony. There are few temporary restrooms around the square before the end of the flag-raising ceremony.
- E-cigarettes are prohibited. Items such as notebooks and folders may be required to be opened for inspection during security check.
- Visitors with luggage can store it in the self-service luggage lockers next to the security check entrance at the southwest corner of the square.
Activities Available at Tiananmen Square in Beijing
Taking Photos
The best photo spot is directly facing Tiananmen Rostrum, where you can capture both the rostrum and the square. The light is good in the morning and evening, while the overhead light at noon tends to darken the face. To take a panoramic view, you can go to the south side of the square near Zhengyangmen and shoot northward to show the sequence of the rostrum, the monument and the mausoleum.
Visiting Buildings
The buildings around the square have a rigorous layout. From north to south are Tiananmen Rostrum, the Monument to the People’s Heroes and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, with the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum of China on the east and west sides. Walking along the central axis of the square allows you to feel the sequence of the buildings.
Resting and Viewing
There are steps beside the square where visitors can rest. The square presents different scenes at different times: flag-raising in the early morning, flag-lowering in the evening and lighting at night.
If you have a headache or stomach discomfort, you can buy common medicines at the self-service medicine vending machine on the east road of the square.
Dressing and Preparation for Visiting Tiananmen Square in Beijing
- Footwear: It takes a few minutes to walk from the security check entrance to the center of the square, and you will walk a lot during the visit. It is recommended to wear well-worn sneakers or flat shoes.
- Sun protection and warmth preservation: There is no shade in the square at noon in summer, so you need to prepare hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. In winter, you need to prepare gloves, scarves and thick coats when waiting for the flag-raising ceremony outdoors.
- Drinking water and food: There are stalls in the square, and the prices are higher than outside. You can bring a bottle of water, and you need to open it for a sip during security check. It is recommended to bring food that is not easy to crumble, such as biscuits and bread, and eat it at the corner of the square.
Other tips:
- There may be mosquitoes in the summer evening, so you can bring a small bottle of mosquito repellent.
- Visitors with hypertension, heart disease and other basic diseases please carry emergency medicines with you.
- Charge your mobile phone and power bank in advance.
Recommended Nearby Attractions of Tiananmen Square in Beijing
The following attractions are within walking distance from the square:
- Tiananmen Rostrum. Located to the north of the square, open for visiting. The opening hours in peak season are from 8:30 to 17:00, and ticket checking stops at 16:30. You need to store your bags at the back of the rostrum before climbing up.
- The Palace Museum. Reach it by walking through Tiananmen Rostrum and Duanmen. It is recommended to set aside half a day to a whole day for the visit. Tickets need to be reserved 7 days in advance, and the Meridian Gate is the only entrance.
- National Museum of China. Located on the east side of the square, with a collection of more than 1.4 million cultural relics. Admission is free and online reservation is required in advance. Security check is strict, and large bags may need to be checked.
- Qianmen Street. It is about 15 minutes’ walk from the south side of the square along Zhengyangmen. There are many time-honored shops and snacks on both sides of the street.
Monument to the People’s Heroes
Frequently Asked Questions about Tiananmen Square in Beijing
Q: Can I enter Tiananmen Square in Beijing at night?
A: Yes. The flow of people decreases after the flag-lowering ceremony, and the square turns on night lighting. The opening hours are the same as daytime, usually closed at 10:00 p.m.
Q: Is it open on rainy days?
A: Yes. But there are few shelters in the square, so it is recommended to bring an umbrella or raincoat. Some areas may be temporarily closed in case of thunderstorms or strong winds. Please check the weather before departure.
Q: Can I bring a camera and a tripod?
A: Ordinary cameras are allowed. Large tripods (length over 1.3 meters) are generally prohibited. Small desktop tripods or handheld stabilizers are usually allowed, subject to the on-site judgment of security check personnel.
Q: What if I fail to reserve the flag-raising time slot?
A: The quota for flag-raising time slots is tight. It is recommended to make the reservation 7 days in advance on time. If you fail to reserve the flag-raising time slot, you can reserve the morning time slot to visit, but you cannot watch the flag-raising ceremony in the morning time slot.
Q: What are the opening hours of Jinshui Bridge?
A: Jinshui Bridge is closed every Monday, and open from 8:00 to 16:30 from Tuesday to Sunday. Obey the on-site arrangement in case of temporary control.
Q: Is there a consultation telephone number?
A: For reservation-related questions, please call 010-86409123, service time is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day.
Final Tips for Visiting Tiananmen Square in Beijing
Three preparations are required to enter Tiananmen Square in Beijing: make a reservation in advance, carry the original passport, and do not carry prohibited items. After completing these three preparations, the rest is to relax and visit in order.
Supplementary suggestions:
- Security check takes a long time. It is recommended to set aside 1 hour for queuing for security check. For example, if you plan to stay in the square for 1.5 hours, you can arrange the trip for 2.5 hours.
- If you have reserved the Palace Museum but not the square, you can bypass the Meridian Gate from Donghuamen to enter the Palace Museum without passing through the square. If you plan to visit the square first and then go to the National Museum of China, you must reserve the square in advance.
- You need to cross the street through the underground passage from the square to Tiananmen Rostrum, with different shooting angles.
- Reservation certificates in Tiananmen area are not universal: you need a square reservation to enter the square, a rostrum reservation to climb Tiananmen Rostrum, and separate reservations are also required to visit the National Museum of China or the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.
Hope this article helps you visit Tiananmen Square in Beijing smoothly. For assistance in arranging the overall itinerary or handling tickets, please consult China Dragon Travel.
