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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 04 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Thomas O’Malley

This vast public space sits at the very heart of modern China, both literally and symbolically. It takes its name from the Gate of Heavenly Peace which divides the square in the north from the Forbidden City, and upon which Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949.

The socialist-realist Great Hall of the People, China’s most important government building, lines the western flank, facing the hulking National Museum across the square.

In the centre is Mao Zedong’s mausoleum and the Monument to the Peoples’ Heroes. Demarcating the southern boundary are the parallel Zhengyangmen and Arrow Tower city gates.

During the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, rallies of up to a million Red Guards took place. In 1989, pro-democracy demonstrators took over the square for six weeks before the government’s brutal crackdown that sent shockwaves around the world.

While you’re there

Both the Gate of Heavenly Peace to the north of the square, and the Zhengyang Gate in the south, can be entered and climbed for sweeping views of Beijing’s grand central axis. There are historical exhibitions in both.

Monument in front of Mao's Mausoleum on Tiananmen Square, China . Mao's body was embalmed and the construction of a mausoleum began shortly after his death.
Experience

Chairman Mao Memorial Hall

Beijing, China

Visitors line up in droves to shuffle past Mao’s embalmed corpse, on display in a mausoleum in the middle of Tiananmen Square. Guards keep the crowds moving through to the gift shop full of Mao-themed souvenirs.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Forbidden City

Beijing, China

A magnificent and unique 15th-century complex of imperial palaces that served as the home of Chinese emperors for 500 years. Beijing’s must-see attraction.

Best for ages: 13+ | £6

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Exterior of the Great Hall of the People building in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, lit up at night
Experience

Great Hall of the People

Beijing, China

Looking out over Tiananmen Square, this is China’s most iconic political building and the meeting place for the National People’s Congress. Inside, you can tour its vast Stalinist auditorium, complete with plexiglass red star in the ceiling. When it’s not in use, you can go in to see the vast Stalinist auditorium, complete with plexiglass red star in the ceiling.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Jingshan Park

Beijing, China

Beijing’s best park is also one of its only central hills, offering inspiring views of the Forbidden City. It’s also where elderly locals come to sing, dance and let off steam.

Best for ages: 13+ | £3

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Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The Square itself is only accessible on foot. Take metro line 1 to either Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West stations, or metro line 2 to Qianmen station at the southern edge of the square. Alternatively, taxis will drop you approximately 150 metres from the Square on Dongchangan Dajie.

The imposing Forbidden City at the northern end is separated from the Square by the Dongchangan Dajie thoroughfare – an underground walkway connects these two attractions.

When to do it

Tiananmen Square opens every day before dawn for the flag-raising ceremony, and generally closes after the flag-lowering ceremony at sunset.

Expect security checks, and bring your passport. Note that the square may be closed without warning on politically-sensitive dates.

The biting cold winds and freezing weather from December to March are best avoided unless you are wrapped up in arctic gear.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Beijing Essential Full-Day Tour including Great Wall at Badaling, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

Beijing Essential Full-Day Tour including Great Wall at Badaling, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

Beijing

If your time in Beijing is short, take this full-day tour to see all the essential sights: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Bada...

$107 | Rating 4.19 / 5 [198 ratings]

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Beijing Mini Group Day Tour: Great Wall, Forbidden City and Tiananmen

Beijing Mini Group Day Tour: Great Wall, Forbidden City and Tiananmen

Beijing

Join the worry-free Beijing mini group day tour with Price Beat Guarantee and No Shopping Promise. Start with a morning walk through the Tia...

$180 | Rating 4.94 / 5 [564 ratings]

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Private All-Inclusive Day Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall

Private All-Inclusive Day Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall

Beijing

This private day highlight tour will show you 3 most popular and must see attractions in Beijing, including Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City...

$188 | Rating 4.95 / 5 [361 ratings]

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Private Classic Beijing Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace

Private Classic Beijing Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace

Beijing

Do full justice to three of Beijing’s must-see sights with a privately guided city sightseeing trip. Check out Tiananmen Square, the immense...

$200 | Rating 4.97 / 5 [78 ratings]

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

The PuXuan Hotel & Spa

Beijing, China[0.8 miles]

One of Beijing’s most stylish hotels, The Puxuan suits discerning grown-ups seeking a designer splurge. Convenient access to the sights, either by subway or on foot. Excellent restaurants and spa.

Official star rating:

New World Beijing Hotel

Beijing, China[1.4 miles]

New World Beijing is one of the city’s best value five-star hotels, with a unique location close to the Temple of Heaven. The indoor pool and rooftop lounge bar seal the deal.

Official star rating:

Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing

Beijing, China[1.4 miles]

Palatial guest rooms and Forbidden City views make this Beijing’s best hotel for a special occasion splurge. Its Wangfujing location puts the city’s central sights within walking distance.

Official star rating:

Peninsula Beijing

Beijing, China[2 miles]

Enjoying a central location and huge, all-suite rooms, the long-established Peninsula is a safe bet for a holiday splurge.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Beijing

China

A burgeoning megacity with one foot in the past, Beijing is a marvellous melange of UNESCO-listed heritage buildings set within an ever-more tech-forward cityscape. Come for the culture, the people, and of course the food.

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Beihai Park

Beijing, China[2.5 miles]

Once the preserve of emperors, the sculpted surrounds of Beihai Park are dotted with fascinating temples, halls and pavilions, and crowned by the magnificent White Dagoba, towering over the central boating lake.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Temple of Heaven

Beijing, China[2.7 miles]

Once a site for esoteric imperial rites, this marvellous complex of temples, altars and pavilions is set in a sprawling grove of knotted cypress trees. One of Beijing’s must-see sights.

Best for ages: 13+ | £2

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Lama Temple

Beijing, China[5.1 miles]

Beijing’s most spectacular religious site, this palatial temple complex is a reminder of China’s long and complex association with Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Summer Palace

Beijing, China[14.8 miles]

The former retreat of China’s imperial rulers, the Summer Palace is a masterpiece of classical Chinese garden design on a truly awesome scale. Artificial hills, lakes, opulent buildings and graceful arched bridges convene in carefully orchestrated harmony.

Best for ages: 13+ | £3

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Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Laoshe Teahouse founded in 1988, located in Qianmen street, decorated in traditional Chinese style, it's the first modern teahouse after the reform and opening up of China
Experience

Lao She Teahouse

Beijing, China[0.7 miles]

Close to the sights orbiting Tiananmen Square, this longstanding venue is more theatre than teahouse, putting on a nightly highlights reel of Peking opera, acrobatics, magic shows and traditional Chinese music. Take a table and order snacks and tea while you watch.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Inside the shop of Beijing Postcards, for hutan tours
Experience

Beijing Postcards

Beijing, China[1.2 miles]

The city’s best historical walking tours, covering everything from concubines to Communism. As well as a tour company, Beijing Postcards has a hutong shop selling old city maps, quirky souvenirs and framed black and white prints of early 20th century Beijing.

Best for ages: 13+ | £40 | 2-3 hours

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Large black ball instrument at Beijing Ancient Observatory
Experience

Beijing Ancient Observatory

Beijing, China[3.2 miles]

A fantastic array of arcane astronomical contraptions, cast in bronze and carved with writhing dragons, can be seen at this museum on the site of a Chinese observatory formerly built into Beijing’s mighty city walls.

Best for ages: 13+ | £2

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Old City Wall

Beijing, China[3.3 miles]

The only remaining trace of Beijing’s city wall is a pleasant spot for a stroll through history. Be sure to explore the imposing southeast corner watchtower attached, the site of a famous battle in 1900.

Best for ages: 13+ | £5

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