Do I need to book Tiananmen Square in advance and bring my passport?

Yes. Foreign visitors must carry their physical passport to enter Tiananmen Square — it is checked at every security gate alongside a bag X-ray. Booking policy has tightened in recent years and a same-day or advance online reservation (passport number required) is often needed, especially in peak season. Without your real passport you will be turned away at the perimeter, so keep it on you, not at the hotel.

How early should I arrive for the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen?

The flag is raised at sunrise, so the exact time shifts through the year — earlier in summer, later in winter. Crowds claim the front rail well before dawn, and you still have to clear passport and bag checks first, so plan to be at a security gate at least 60–90 minutes ahead. The whole ceremony lasts only a few minutes, then soldiers march back toward the Forbidden City.

Is Tiananmen Square free, and what is there to do around it?

The square itself is free to walk once you clear security. Around it sit several free sights: the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong to the south (free, closed Mondays, with a line before its 8 AM opening) and the National Museum of China to the east (free, passport required). The Monument to the People's Heroes stands at the centre. The Forbidden City to the north is a separate ticketed attraction.

Tiananmen Square, Beijing: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

The world's largest city square — political heart of modern China, framed by the Gate of Heavenly Peace.

At a glance

What it is: Landmark
Also known as: 天安门广场 (Tiān'ānmén Guǎngchǎng)
Opening hours: 5 AM – 10 PM
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Best time to visit: Sunrise (flag ceremony) or early morning
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: Some English signage
Cards accepted: Cash only
Entry: Passport booking required
Wi-Fi: No public Wi-Fi
Address: East Chang'an Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing · 东城区东长安街

See Tiananmen Squaretickets & tours

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Tiananmen Square is the symbolic and physical center of Beijing, named after the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen) that forms its northern edge. At 440,000 square meters it's one of the largest city squares in the world, and the site of the People's Republic of China's founding in 1949. Surrounding monuments: the Monument to the People's Heroes (center), the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong (south, free to enter — line forms before opening at 8 AM), the Great Hall of the People (west), and the National Museum of China (east, free with passport). The Flag Raising Ceremony at sunrise is a major draw — soldiers march from inside the Forbidden City; crowds gather before dawn. Security is heavy: bring your passport, expect bag X-ray and ID checks at every entrance, no liquids over 100mL, no large bags. No restricted items also means no books beyond personal reading. Allow time to clear security.

Highlights

Flag Raising Ceremony (升旗仪式)Daily at sunrise; soldiers march from inside the Forbidden City
Mao Mausoleum (毛主席纪念堂)Free entry; line forms before 8 AM opening; closed Mondays
National Museum of China (国家博物馆)Free with passport; one of the world's largest museums
Gate of Heavenly Peace (天安门)Mao's portrait hangs here; the gate facing the Forbidden City
Security Reality CheckBring passport; bag X-ray at every entrance; allow 20-30 min

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

▸Bring your physical passport — not a photo or photocopy; every perimeter gate checks the real document before you can step onto the square.
▸For the flag ceremony, enter via the gate nearest your spot early; latecomers get stuck behind security lines and miss the brief sunrise raising.
▸Bag rules are strict — skip liquids over 100mL and oversized backpacks, or you'll burn 20–30 minutes repacking at the X-ray.
▸Combine it with the free National Museum on the east side; show your passport at its entrance and you skip the ticket queue entirely.
▸Pair the morning here with the Forbidden City directly north — security flows naturally from square to palace without backtracking.
▸Mao's Mausoleum bans cameras and bags; stash everything at the cloakroom first or you'll be sent back to the start of the line.
▸It's cash-only and Wi-Fi-free out here, so download offline maps and carry small notes before you commit to the security gauntlet.

Photos

cars parked in front of red and brown building

Monument to the People's Heroes in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, under a clear blue sky.

a tall building with a red roof next to a wall

Explore the iconic Tiananmen Square with historic architecture under a clear blue sky.

A large building with flags flying in the background

Crowds gather at the iconic Forbidden City Gate in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, under a clear sky.

Close-up of the Forbidden City's ornate architecture in Beijing, showcasing traditional Chinese design.

red and white concrete building during nighttime

Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, China with vibrant red flags under a clear sky.

woman in black long sleeve shirt standing on roof during daytime

Crowds at Tiananmen Square with the iconic gate and flagpole in a monochrome setting.

a group of people standing in front of a building

A vibrant view of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, showcasing the iconic architecture and bustling atmosphere.

What travelers say (20 reviews)

Karen J.·TripAdvisor·4/5

Bring your passport — they check at every entrance. Allow 20-30 min for security. Largest public square I've ever stood on.

2026-03-18

Jason F.·Google Maps·5/5

Got there at 5:45 AM for the flag-raising. Cold but unforgettable. The soldiers march out from the Forbidden City right on time.

2026-04-05

PoliticalPilgrim·YouTube·4/5

Photogenic but heavy on security. No tripods, no flying anything. Just observe and walk. The Mao Mausoleum line forms before dawn.

2026-02-12

Ben C.·TripAdvisor·5/5

The portrait of Mao on the Gate of Heavenly Peace is iconic — get the photo facing south. Free to walk the square 24/7 with passport.

2025-12-08

首都打卡客·Xiaohongshu·5/5

凌晨3点排队看升旗，太冷了但太值了。退伍军人讲解的国旗故事我现在还记得。

2026-03-30

Steve P.·Google Maps·4/5

Visit early — the heat in summer and lines later are brutal. The National Museum to the east is free with passport and air-conditioned.

2026-04-15

Mara H.·TripAdvisor·5/5

Free, open, vast, and historic. The Mao Mausoleum line moves fast (you have to leave bags at the visitor center first). Closed Mondays.

2026-01-22

RedFlagCapital·YouTube·5/5

Combined with a Forbidden City entry through the Tiananmen front gate — the historical sequence makes sense walking south to north.

2026-02-28

京城晨观人·Ctrip·5/5

升旗仪式提前查日出时间，每天不一样。冬天5点多，夏天4点多。建议早上3-3点半开始排队。

2026-01-30

Eleanor S.·Google Maps·4/5

Symbolic and powerful in person. The Monument to the People's Heroes at the center is worth a slow walk-around.

2026-03-12

Daniel A.·TripAdvisor·5/5

Walk south on Qianmen Street afterwards — Quanjude duck dinner closes the perfect Beijing day.

2026-04-18

Hannah W.·Google Maps·4/5

Massive crowd at the flag-raising — be there 90 min early in summer. Worth seeing once.

2025-11-15

ChinaWatcher·YouTube·5/5

Stood at the center of the square at sunset — surreal feeling. The Great Hall of the People is gigantic, fully lit at night.

2026-02-18

Sarah J.·TripAdvisor·3/5

Security checks frustrating but understand the reason. The square itself is striking — bring patience.

2026-03-22

城市行者·Xiaohongshu·5/5

广场夜景灯光秀比白天惊艳。人民英雄纪念碑和正阳门城楼是经典构图。

2026-04-25

Akhil R.·Google Maps·4/5

Pace yourself. Square → Mao Mausoleum → National Museum → Forbidden City is a packed day. Spread over two if you can.

2026-01-15

Lara F.·TripAdvisor·4/5

Massive. Larger than St. Peter's Square in Rome by a factor of three. Hard to appreciate the scale until you're there.

2026-02-05

DailyBeijing·YouTube·5/5

The pre-dawn arrival for the flag ceremony is a rite of passage. Bundle up — it's wind-tunnel cold even in April.

2026-03-08

Tina B.·Google Maps·4/5

Got a passport-ID check 4 times in 30 minutes. Wear easy-access jacket. Worth it just for the photo with the Gate of Heavenly Peace.

2026-04-10

广场夜景控·Ctrip·5/5

晚上7点广场亮灯，人民大会堂、国家博物馆全部点亮。建议在毛主席纪念堂南侧看夜景。

2026-02-22

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Frequently asked questions about Tiananmen Square

Do I need to book Tiananmen Square in advance and bring my passport?: Yes. Foreign visitors must carry their physical passport to enter Tiananmen Square — it is checked at every security gate alongside a bag X-ray. Booking policy has tightened in recent years and a same-day or advance online reservation (passport number required) is often needed, especially in peak season. Without your real passport you will be turned away at the perimeter, so keep it on you, not at the hotel.
How early should I arrive for the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen?: The flag is raised at sunrise, so the exact time shifts through the year — earlier in summer, later in winter. Crowds claim the front rail well before dawn, and you still have to clear passport and bag checks first, so plan to be at a security gate at least 60–90 minutes ahead. The whole ceremony lasts only a few minutes, then soldiers march back toward the Forbidden City.
Is Tiananmen Square free, and what is there to do around it?: The square itself is free to walk once you clear security. Around it sit several free sights: the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong to the south (free, closed Mondays, with a line before its 8 AM opening) and the National Museum of China to the east (free, passport required). The Monument to the People's Heroes stands at the centre. The Forbidden City to the north is a separate ticketed attraction.