Visiting Tiananmen Square is an essential experience when in Beijing, but the vastness of the area and the multitude of attractions can be overwhelming. This comprehensive guide aims to help you navigate Tiananmen Square efficiently, ensuring you make the most of your visit without exhausting yourself. From optimal routes and essential tips to detailed advice on managing security checks and scheduling visits, this guide will save you time and steps while ensuring you don’t miss any key highlights.
Tiananmen Square | Free
Flag-Raising Ceremony: Must make a separate reservation for the flag-raising time slot. From personal experience, the flag-raising is not limited by time slot or verification point; you can attend as long as you have a reservation.
Great Hall of the People: ¥30 | Ticketing stops at 14:30. No liquids, power banks, or food allowed.
Chairman Mao Memorial Hall: Free | Ticketing stops at 12:00. No bags allowed; free storage available.
- Note: From personal experience, you can arrive late for your reserved time slot for Chairman Mao Memorial Hall but not early.
Tiananmen Tower: ¥15 | Ticketing stops at 16:30 during peak season and 16:00 during off-season. No bags allowed; free storage available.
- Note: From personal experience, visiting the tower is not restricted by reservation time slot.
National Museum of China: Free | Ticketing stops at 16:00.
- Note: From personal experience, they strictly adhere to the reservation time slots. Make sure to reserve according to your needs.
Forbidden City: ¥60 during peak season / ¥40 during off-season. Morning ticketing stops at 12:00.
- Note:Afternoon ticketing stops at 16:00 during peak season and 15:30 during off-season. No large photography equipment or selfie sticks longer than 1.3 meters allowed.
They strictly adhere to the ticketing times. Morning tickets must be used by 12:00, and afternoon tickets cannot be used before 11:00.
Important Notes
All attractions north of Chang’an Avenue are one-way. Once you pass through the tower, you cannot return to the square. It’s recommended to visit the tower later in your itinerary.
Parking is prohibited on Chang’an Avenue, and the subway is more convenient. Driving is not recommended due to the difficulty of finding parking. The nearest parking lots are at Tiananmen East and the National Centre for the Performing Arts. Choose based on your planned attractions.
After visiting the Forbidden City, exit through the Gate of Divine Might and consider visiting Jingshan Park for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City or Beihai Park for a boat ride.
Suggested Itineraries
One-Day Special Forces Tour (no detours):
National Museum (North Entrance) security check -> Exit West Entrance -> Square -> Bag Storage -> Chairman Mao Memorial Hall -> Bag Storage -> Great Hall of the People -> Bag Storage -> Tiananmen Tower -> Forbidden City -> Jingshan Park.
To complete everything in one day, start with the National Museum and exit at Tiananmen East Exit C for security check, then cross the road to the square to save one security check. However, this is a very tight schedule and not recommended.
In-Depth Tour:
Day 1: Flag-Raising Ceremony -> Chairman Mao Memorial Hall -> Great Hall of the People -> Tiananmen Square -> Qianmen & Dashilan.
Day 2: Tiananmen Tower -> Forbidden City -> Jingshan Park/Beihai Park.
Day 3: Wangfujing -> National Museum -> Flag-Lowering Ceremony.
Recommended Routes to Enter the Forbidden City
Zhongshan Park: Quite busy, no faster way.
Tiananmen: Shortest distance, but very crowded during peak season with multiple security checks.
Cultural Palace: Tickets need to be purchased one day in advance.
Best Route: If you’re not visiting the square, you can walk from Donghuamen to the Meridian Gate to enter the Forbidden City. This is the quickest route, but not necessarily faster.