The Tian'anmen Gate
The red gate with Mao's portrait fronts the square's north side and leads to the Forbidden City. It is the most photographed frame in Beijing and the symbol of the square.
Great Wall & Landmarks
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Tian'anmen Square: Complete Visitor Guide
The world's largest public square, free to enter but only with a passport reservation
Tian'anmen Square is the monumental public square at the centre of Beijing, bounded by the Tian'anmen Gate, the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum of China. Entry is free, but foreign visitors must hold a real-name advance reservation and show a passport at the security gate. This guide explains the reservation mini-program, the passport check, the best times to go, and how to pair the square with the Forbidden City across the road.
Quick Facts
- Opening hours
- 05:00–22:00 (subject to security closures)
- Last entry
- 21:00
- Closed
- Open daily; occasional security closures
- Suggested time
- 1–2 hours
- Ticket price
- Free
- Best season
- Autumn (Sep–Oct) for clear skies
- Booking
- Required — free real-name reservation, passport ID
- Nearest metro
- Line 1, Tian'anmen East (Exit A) / Tian'anmen West
How to Book Tian'anmen Square with a Foreign Passport
The square is free, but every visitor — foreign or domestic — needs a real-name advance reservation tied to an ID. Foreign visitors book with a passport through the official Tian'anmen Square reservation mini-program, and the slot is checked against the physical passport at the gate.
- Open the official Tian'anmen Square reservation mini-program in WeChat (search 天安门广场预约) and pick a date and time slot.
- Enter your passport number exactly as printed; one passport equals one reservation, and the number is verified at entry.
- Save the confirmation QR and arrive within your slot — late arrivals may be denied when the square is busy.
- Bring the same passport; it is scanned at the security gate along with a bag check.
Getting There
By metro
Take Metro Line 1 to Tian'anmen East (Exit A) or Tian'anmen West (Exit B). Both exits feed into the security screening points for the square; allow extra time for the bag check.
By taxi
Show the driver 天安门广场 (Tian'anmen Square). Ask to be dropped at the east or west side, not the gate, to shorten the walk.
Entrances
Enter through a screened checkpoint on the square's east or west side. You cannot drive onto the square; pedestrians pass security, then walk freely within the bordered area.
What to See Inside
The Monument to the People's Heroes
A 37-metre obelisk stands at the square's centre, engraved with revolutionary reliefs — a quiet pivot point around which visitors orient themselves.
The National Museum of China
On the square's east side, the vast museum holds artefacts from across Chinese history and is free with its own reservation — an easy, weather-proof add-on.
The Great Hall of the People
The colonnaded hall on the west side hosts state ceremonies. You can only view it from outside, but its scale defines the square's western edge.
Photo Gallery
The Heart of Modern Beijing
The square took its present form in the 1950s, when the republican-era space was enlarged into a vast ceremonial plaza fronting the Tian'anmen Gate, itself first built in 1417 as the south gate of the Imperial City under the Ming.
It became the stage for the founding ceremony of the People's Republic in 1949 and has since hosted major national parades and gatherings. The surrounding buildings — the Great Hall, the museum, the monument — were added through the 1950s and 1970s.
Today the square is one of the largest public squares in the world, covering about 44 hectares and handling tens of thousands of visitors daily. Entry is free but tightly controlled, with passport-based reservation and security screening at every entrance.
Suggested Route
- 1. Reserve and arrive early Book your slot, take Line 1 to Tian'anmen East, and pass the security screening with your passport.
- 2. The Tian'anmen Gate Start at the north side beneath the gate and Mao's portrait — the classic frame before you enter the open square.
- 3. Centre: the Monument Walk to the central Monument to the People's Heroes and take in the square's scale from its midline.
- 4. East: the National Museum Cross to the east side for the National Museum of China, free with its own reservation and a cool indoor break.
- 5. Exit north to the Forbidden City Leave the square's north side and cross to the Forbidden City entrance for the logical next visit.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not arrive without a reservation — entry is refused at the gate without a booked slot.
- Bring your physical passport; the number is verified against your booking on the spot.
- Avoid unannounced closures by rechecking the mini-program the morning of your visit.
- Book the Forbidden City separately — the square and palace are two different reservations.
- Allow extra time for security; bag checks can be slow at peak hours.
Combine It With
Forbidden City →
Directly north; needs its own passport booking.
Chairman Mao Memorial Hall →
On the square's south side; separate queue.
National Museum of China
East edge of the square; free, own reservation.
Guide coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book Tian'anmen Square in advance?
Yes. Although entry is free, every visitor needs a real-name advance reservation tied to an ID, and foreign visitors book with a passport through the official WeChat mini-program. There is no walk-up entry, so reserve before you go.
How much does Tian'anmen Square cost?
Entry is free. The only cost is your time — the reservation is free and there is no ticket fee. You will, however, need to pass a passport security check and a bag screening at the entrance.
How long does a visit take?
Allow one to two hours to walk the square, see the gate and the monument, and pass security. Add more if you enter the National Museum of China on the east side, which is free with its own reservation.
When is the best time to visit Tian'anmen Square?
Autumn (September–October) brings clear skies and comfortable temperatures. Arrive at opening for the dawn flag-raising ceremony, or later morning to avoid the heaviest security queues.
Is the square worth visiting on its own?
Yes, but it pairs best with the Forbidden City directly north and the National Museum on its east side. Treat the square as the opening act of a central-Beijing day rather than a standalone stop.