How-to Tips on Visiting the Tiananmen Square

The Tiananmen Square Opening hours are from 05:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Located in Beijing, China, this famaous landmark can be reached via any convenient means. It is so prominent in it’s entirely that no visitor can afford to miss its majestic glory. Located in the vicinity of downtown Beijing, Tiananmen Square is easily accessible via Subway Line 1, via taxi, or city buses.

The entrance fee is free of cost; however, they may levy a minimal entrance fee for visiting other specific places inside the Square, like the Beijing Railway Museum (20RMB), or while ascending the Tiananmen Tower (19 RMB). Average time for visiting the Square is 30 mins.

Tiananmen Square is flocked by visitors throughout the year and especially on festive seasons when it will be too much crowded. The best times to visit here is early in the morning, at daybreak and late evening when the sunsets. These are the best moments to witness the magnificent flag-raising ceremony from the Guard of Honour. During National holidays, it is decorated with flowers and makes up for a wonderful photo op. Do pay a visit at nighttime to experience the beautifully illuminated buildings, sure to give you a visual treat before you call it a day!

Tiananmen Square is a Chinese national symbol representing a monumental gate of valor. It is dedicated to the martyrs who revolted against the country’s oppressors and depicted a revolutionary symbol of the Chinese heyday. Located at the heart of Beijing, the Chinese capital city, Tiananmen Squareis an epitome of the might of Chinese Communism as it grows stronger by the day. It is in this symbolic place, where the establishment of the People’s Republic of China was proclaimed to the world by the then Chairman Mao, way back in 1949.

It spreads over an unprecedented area of 4.8 million square feet of public gathering space. It is the world’s largest public square of epic proportions. Besides its humongous size and unrivaled grandeur with an unmatched tourist attraction,it is flanked by other popular installations. The famous Forbidden City in the north, the biggest attraction- Chairman Mao’s Memorial Hall and the Monument to the People’s Heroes in the middle, while the historic Qianmen Gate is located further in the southern side, which separated the then Imperial City and suburban Beijing at one point in time. What draws the crowd’s attention is the famous portrait of Chairman Mao at the entrance of the Forbidden City. It is the perfect spot for sharing a frame with the most iconic figure in the history of the People’s Republic of China.

Tiananmen Square has stood against the test of time, and history is a testimony to it. Although its historical roots date back to much earlier times, the Square was expanded to four times the initial size in 1651 during the reign of the Ming Dynasty. However, the present state was fully paved in during the time of Mao Zedong in the year 1958. For years, it has been a place of historical significance and a site for many cultural events for the Chinese populace. Besides being a popular site for official ceremonies and mass gatherings, this entire space can hold up to a million people at once. And thus, it is included in the top ten largest public squares in the world, although the largest one goes to Dalian’s Xinghai Square.

Here is our guide to take you to the famous places in and around Tiananmen Square.

One notable sight worth mentioning in the Tiananmen Square is the flag-hoisting ceremony, although it lasts only for a few minutes.If you are an early riser, try to get a glimpse of the ceremonial flag hoisting event as it draws the maximum crowd in the morning bliss.

Pay a visit to this grand hoisting ceremony of the Chinese National flag every morning amidst a huge cheering crowd. It is an alluring sight which one needs to include in their travel itinerary when in Tiananmen Square.

Although you have to get up early in the morning wee hours to get a glimpse, the ceremonial treat will leave you spellbound. As the Guard of Honor raises the Chinese National Flag, you will witness a joyful atmosphere as the flag flies high in the backdrop of the Tiananmen Square. The reviewing stands on the western, and the eastern sides were opened up for the general public in 2012 as group reservations can be availed for the opening day ceremony on the first day of every month.

Tiananmen Square, as well as the entry points, closes after midnight. It reopens 45 minutes before the flag-hoisting ceremony in the morning. So, be there before the opening time to avoid any hassles as there will be a huge crowd turn up for the event. There will be a team of police officers who will make the necessary arrangements by parading the visitors in a line to maintain order. Vehicle entries will be restricted to prevent any accidents and to ensure the safety and security of the visitors. Good news for elderly visitors, as they will be allowed to occupy the front seats along with the children.

The Forbidden City in Tiananmen Square is a palace complex which houses the Palace Museum where the art and artifacts of the past rulers are kept for display. It exemplifies traditional Chinese culture and architectural marvels. It is one of the world’s prestigious UNESCO Heritage sites with the largest assemblage of ancient wooden structures.

It was built in honor of the emperors who were destined to live in the Purple Palace - a heavenly abode deriving its features from the ‘Purple Star’ or ‘Polaris,’ and hence the name Purple City. It is divided into two parts – the southern part is where the Outer Court for the Emperors was located, from where he exercised his supreme powers. Then, we have the northern part where the Emperor and his royal family lived. The entire complex is painted yellow as it signifies the royal color.

It is now open for the public, including visitors from abroad. The colorful decorations, the deluxe halls, and splendid royal architectural works will make it worthwhile while you unearth this ancient cultural marvel. Also, bear in mind that the only entrance to this museum is through the Meridian Gate, the south gate of the museum.

Related article: Travel Tips to Tour the Forbidden City

Another important and significant place to visit in Tiananmen Square is the China National Museum in the eastern front. If you could only visit one museum in China, the National Museum is your choice. It combines the historically significant Chinese Museum and the Chinese Revolutionary Museum, which was tasked to uptake China’s largest collection of artifacts and to safeguard its legacy. The latter consists of pictures, books, and various developmental models while the former offers cultural relics and the long and glorious cultural heritage of China.

Permanent exhibitions are The Road of Rejuvenation, Ancient China, Ancient Chinese Buddhist Sculpture, Ancient Chinese Porcelain Art, Stone Sculpture Art of the Song Dynasty, etc. And there will be temperate exhibitions that usually also worth your time. The entrance to the National Museum of China is free. Some exhibitions will require an entrance fee like 30 rmb.

You will need at least 3 hours to go through the museum and many visitors will stay there for a day. To enter the museum, you need to go through the North Gate with your valid ID (passport) after security check. The queue for entrance is always long so be aware to save buffer for your visiting time.

Related article: 10 Best Museums to Visit in Beijing

The Great Hall of the People is situated on the western fringe of Tiananmen Square. As the name suggests, it serves as the congressional meeting place for the Chinese lawmakers. Built-in 1959, the central hall combines a scenic marble flooring design with crystal lamps being suspended from the ceiling. There is also an auditorium which can accommodate 10,000 people apart from a 5000-seater banquet hall. Also, take a look at the marvelously crafted twelve marble pillars at the front of this Hall.

The Monument to the People’s Heroes is by far the largest monument ever built for the martyrs of the Chinese revolutionary movement. It is located in the mid-southern part of the Tiananmen Square. In this monument, popular sayings of Mao Zedong are engraved. In the front, Mao Zedong’s famous saying: "Eternal glory to the people's heroes!" is also engraved. The entire monument is encircled by a pair of white stone railings. Some of the big relief sculptures illustrate the developmental achievements of modern-day China. It is customary for foreign delegates and public officials to pay wreaths at the monuments while on a visit.

The Beijing Railway Museum is another iconic place located in the south-eastern corner of Tiananmen Square. The state-of-the-art facility showcases Chinese advancement in the field of locomotives from the ancient to the modern-day innovations in chronological order. It also features the first commercial train from the late 19^th century to the recent most bullet trains. Experience the high-octane interactive session with the train simulator apart from browsing the age-old artifacts and centuries-old switching posts of the Chinese Railway. Make sure you pay a visit to this popular destination on weekends or weekdays, except Monday when it is closed.

This Memorial Hall of Mao Zedong or the Mausoleum is his final resting place. The Politburo of the Communist Party of China was a well-acclaimed leader and the greatest founder of this nation. This highly attractive place is located in the middle of Tiananmen Square. The Chinese people offered their highest respect to their ‘Great Helmsman‘, as he was popularly known, by aligning the hall with the historic central axis of the Imperial City Palace - the central throne to the Empire. He is being held the highest esteem in the hearts of the Chinese people and the Republic.

It has three different sections, and in one, the Chairman’s mortal body is embalmed inside a crystal coffin surrounded by fresh flowers and plants. This section is by far the biggest attraction in the whole Square. It is where the local people and his followers from all walks of life throng this area, paying their respect to their beloved leader. It was opened to the public in 1977, a year after his death, as various writings, statues and paintings are dedicated to their supreme leader.

Tiananmen Square is a strategic place of National significance and is often guarded by armed and undercover cops. All the visitors need to pass through the security clearance checkpoint while visiting this Square. Always make sure to keep your travel documents and passport ready at all times. Also, make sure not to carry any items that may be of any suspicious nature to the armed policemen while they are on a frisking drive.

Make sure to avoid visiting Tiananmen Square in the first week of June as it will be a highly sensitive zone and will bring in extra security. Time your visit for another day in case you happen to visit around this time of the year.

Also, make sure to avoid clothes that have a political message or ideology, or with religious themes, or pictures that depict death or otherwise. You may not want to get embroiled in an unwarranted situation at Tiananmen Square. Any iconic place which draws a lot of crowds has its fair share of pros and cons. Avoid strangers who might pose to be any less significant and offers you a hand on the photos or for an English lesson or two. Even though such encounters might be harmless, try to have minimal contact with them and rush to a nearby police officer if they violate your personal space. However, you should not accept their kind offers for a tea or coffee or to visit places together as you may end up buying something or being pressured to offer them some help. Always remain vigilant of your surroundings while being a friendly visitor to this iconic tourist hub.

The tourists and visitors receive a lot of local attention and might end up being in a company or two. Also, avoid the hawkers which might take ‘no’ for an answer, so kindly put up a smile and walk away casually. Tiananmen Square is safe at night with proper street lightings, but it is closed by midnight.

Before entering the premises, kindly check your belongings and avoid carrying items that might be considered dangerous or unacceptable to be carried inside the Square. Explosives, toxic materials, radioactive substances, guns and ammunition, daggers, drugs, pornography, or any other items that may trigger or affect public security should be avoided at all cost. If you find something not worth carrying, you should deposit it somewhere else or should leave such items in the hotel room before you enter the Tiananmen Square.

There are certain things one needs to pay heed to while visiting Tiananmen Square. This place bears a cultural and traditional significance in the lives of the Chinese populace and the Government alike. You should be avoiding provocative statements or gestures that might irk fellow travelers or local visitors. Enjoy your sightseeing in a much more convenient way by remaining it to yourself. Also, do not over-rush things up, like running around in the public glaze, or attempting to trespass others private space unknowingly. Always bear in mind that this is a sacred place for the Chinese people and consider it the same to make the difference while you pay some respect to this historic place.

Be sure to protect yourself from the glazing sun by putting on some sunscreen lotion. The Beijing weather is highly unpredictable, and hence you should not take even minute chances that may spoil your vacation. Always have a city map handy for safe traveling or in case you get lost amidst a Mandarin-speaking crowd. Moreover, take the city buses that ply on the roads, as illegal cab rides might prove to be a costly affair. Above all, Tiananmen Square will always have a place in your heart when you are long gone, so let it cast the mystical charm while you are on it! So, start planning your trip to Beijing, China and book your flight tickets in advance with Trip.com.

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