Tiananmen Square facts at a glance
The square lies in the center of Beijing on Chang'an Avenue, in the Dongcheng district. It covers 440,000 m², which is 44 hectares. It measures 880 m from north to south and 500 m from east to west.
The square itself is free, with an entry fee of CNY 0 and no age-based tickets. A reservation is still needed, and you find out how it works in the reservation guide. For guided options that include the square, see our page on Tiananmen Square tours.
What stands on each side
The layout is easy to remember: gate north, gate south, museum east, hall west.
| Building | Position | Visit |
|---|---|---|
| Tiananmen Gate | North | Gate tower on a separate reserved ticket, CNY 15 for adults |
| Zhengyangmen | South | Gate Tower reopened 27 July 2026, CNY 20 |
| National Museum of China | East | Free, with a reservation in your name |
| Great Hall of the People | West | Only after a reservation in the official mini program |
| Monument to the People's Heroes | Center | On the open square |
| Mao Mausoleum | South of the monument | Reopened 1 September 2026, Tuesday to Sunday 08:00–12:00 |
For most visitors the simplest plan is the square first, then one building. A valid booking for the mausoleum, the Great Hall or the National Museum also lets you visit the square in the morning or afternoon of that day, without a separate square reservation. It does not cover the flag ceremony.
Our pick: Beijing's highlights in one trip
Our take: the square, the palace and the Great Wall with all entry fees.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours that include Tiananmen Square
Guided city tours and day trips around the center. Check what each tour includes before you book.
The Monument to the People's Heroes
The central landmark of the square.
The monument stands in the center of the square, with the museum to the east, the Great Hall to the west and the mausoleum to the south. It is 37.94 m high and covers a base of 3,000 m².
The decision and the foundation stone date from 30 September 1949. Building began on 1 August 1952, the work was completed in April 1958 and the monument was unveiled on 1 May 1958. Read more dates in the history of the square.
Buildings and dates
The numbers you will see most often.
Great Hall of the People
West of the square, built in the large rebuilding of 1958 to 1959. A visit is possible only with a reservation in the official WeChat mini program, and the hall can close for sessions and ceremonies.
Great Hall guide →National Museum of China
East of the square, also from the 1958 to 1959 rebuilding. Entry is free with a reservation. Hours differ by season: 09:00–17:30 from 1 June to 31 October and 09:00–17:00 the rest of the year.
Mao Mausoleum
Completed and opened on 9 September 1977. Visitors need a reservation, and bags and cameras stay outside.
Mausoleum guide →
Getting to the square
Two sides, two sets of metro stations.
North side
Line 1 stops at Tiananmen East and Tiananmen West on the north side. The museum names Tiananmen East, exits C and D.
South side
Qianmen station is on Line 2 and Line 8. It is the stop for the Zhengyangmen Gate Tower and the shopping streets.
Qianmen guide →Security
Entry to the square goes through a security checkpoint. Read what to bring in the rules guide.
Opening times in 2026
The main numbers for a visit.
Gate Tower, main season
08:30–17:00 until 31 October 2026, last ticket check at 16:30. Check the winter timetable from 1 November.
Zhengyangmen Gate Tower
Tuesday to Sunday 09:00–17:00, closed Monday except national holidays.
National Museum
09:00–17:30 with last entry at 16:30 from 1 June to 31 October. From 1 November to 31 May it is 09:00–17:00 with last entry at 16:00. Closed Monday except Chinese public holidays.
Tiananmen Square facts: frequently asked questions
How big is Tiananmen Square?
It covers 440,000 m², which is 44 hectares, and measures 880 m from north to south and 500 m from east to west.
Is Tiananmen Square the largest square in the world?
Rankings depend on how a square is defined. This guide gives the measurements instead of a rank.
How tall is the Monument to the People's Heroes?
The monument is 37.94 m high and stands on a base of 3,000 m². It was unveiled on 1 May 1958.
Which buildings surround the square?
The Tiananmen Gate is to the north and the Zhengyangmen gate to the south. The National Museum is to the east and the Great Hall of the People to the west. The Mao Mausoleum lies south of the monument.
Is there an entry fee for the square?
No, it costs CNY 0 in 2026. You still need a reservation, and several buildings around it charge or require their own booking.
Is this an official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the square's administration, a museum or any operator.