How to get to Tiananmen Square
The square lies in the center of Beijing on Chang'an Avenue, in the district of Dongcheng. The Tiananmen Gate is on the north side and the Zhengyangmen Gate on the south side. The National Museum stands on the east side and the Great Hall of the People on the west. Most visitors arrive by metro, because the stations sit right at the square.
On the north side, Line 1 stops at Tiananmen East and Tiananmen West. On the south side, Qianmen station is served by Line 2 and Line 8. Whichever station you choose, you still have to pass the entry check on foot, with your passport and your reservation. If you want a guide for the day, look at our Tiananmen Square tours; a tour does not replace the reservation.
Metro stations at the square
Pick the station by the side of the square you want to reach first.
| Station | Lines | Side of the square | Useful for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiananmen East | Line 1 | North | National Museum (exits C and D) |
| Tiananmen West | Line 1 | North | The north side and the gate |
| Qianmen | Line 2, Line 8 | South | Zhengyangmen, Qianmen Street, Dashilar |
| Wangfujing | Line 1 | – | The pedestrian shopping zone, a search area for hotels |
For most visitors, Line 1 to Tiananmen East or West is the simplest start, because it is one line and it brings you to the north side. Use Qianmen if you plan to see the south end first. The station exit is not the building entrance. The National Museum, for example, admits visitors through its north gate, so allow time for the walk after you leave the station.
Our pick: a tour with hotel transfer
Our take: on this evening tour the guide picks you up at your hotel.
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.
Beijing tours and day trips
Guided days around Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the hutongs, with live prices and availability.
Metro fares and paying
Prices in CNY, 2026. They can change.
The regular fare depends on the distance: CNY 3 up to 6 km, CNY 4 up to 12 km, CNY 5 up to 22 km and CNY 6 up to 32 km. Beyond that, each further 20 km adds CNY 1. The airport lines have their own prices, and the Capital Airport Express costs CNY 25.
You can pay for single tickets at the counter or at a machine with RMB cash, with a supported bank card or with a mobile app. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards work at the ticket machines and directly at the gates, including supported NFC devices. That does not mean every foreign card works, so carry some cash as well. The Alipay transport code asks for identity verification.
Early trains for the flag ceremony
The ceremony follows sunrise, so the time changes through the year.
At Qianmen, the first trains leave at these times. Line 2 inner ring: 05:16. Line 2 outer ring: 05:25. Line 8 toward Yinghai: 05:23. Line 8 toward Zhuxinzhuang: 05:38. These are departures from Qianmen, not arrival times from your hotel, and timetables change.
Journey time depends on where you start, and the security queue comes on top. In summer, when sunrise is early, do not assume that the first metro train gets you to the square in time. Work out the sunrise time for your date first, then count back. All the details are on the flag ceremony page.
Taxi, car and the last steps
The metro is easier, but a taxi works too.
Taxi
Marked regular taxis are exempt from the weekday plate restrictions. No spot at the edge of the square is guaranteed for getting out, so ask the driver to stop near the entrance listed on your reservation, or near a metro station.
Private car
From 30 March 2026 to 28 March 2027, weekday plate restrictions apply from 07:00 to 20:00 inside the Fifth Ring for affected Beijing vehicles. Several exceptions exist, and the rules can change, so ask your host or driver.
Large events
When the city holds a large event, such as on National Day, parts of Chang'an Avenue and the east and west sides of the square are closed and stopping is banned. Expect to walk further and take another route.
At the entrance
Bring your original passport and your reservation. Read the reservation page and the rules and security checks before you leave the hotel.
Entering China
Short and practical.
German citizens can enter visa-free for up to 30 days, for tourism among other purposes, until 31 December 2026. This applies under the entry conditions and not to a provisional German passport. For stays after the end of the year, check the current rules before you book.
Transit is a separate route: 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of 57 countries, through 65 entry and exit points in 24 provinces and regions. You need a valid regular passport and a confirmed onward ticket with a date to a third country or region. A round trip to China does not count. A booking for the square does not replace permission to enter. For the palace visit itself, see the Forbidden City guide.
Plan the rest of your visit
Pages that go with your journey.
Reservation with your passport
How to book the visit and what to show at the entrance.
Flag ceremony
Why the time changes and how the reservation works.
Rules and security checks
ID, what to bring and what to leave behind.
Where to stay
Wangfujing or Qianmen: which area fits your plan.
Getting to Tiananmen Square: frequently asked questions
Which metro line goes to Tiananmen Square?
Line 1 stops at Tiananmen East and Tiananmen West on the north side. Line 2 and Line 8 stop at Qianmen on the south side. Wangfujing, also on Line 1, is a stop for the shopping zone and a common area to search for a hotel.
Which station is best for the National Museum?
Tiananmen East on Line 1, exits C and D. Buses 1, 2, 52, 82 and 120 also stop at Tiananmen East. The museum admits visitors through its north gate, so the station exit and the entrance are not the same.
How much is a metro ride?
CNY 3 for up to 6 km, CNY 4 up to 12 km, CNY 5 up to 22 km and CNY 6 up to 32 km in 2026. The Capital Airport Express costs CNY 25.
Can I pay for the metro with a foreign card?
Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are supported at the ticket machines and at the gates, also on supported NFC devices. Not every card works, so keep some RMB cash with you.
Can a taxi drop me at the square?
Taxis can take you to the area, but a drop-off right at the square is not guaranteed. Name the entrance on your reservation or a nearby metro station. Marked regular taxis are exempt from the weekday plate restrictions.
Is tiananmen-square.org the official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It has no connection with any authority, the National Museum, the administration of the square, a tour operator or a hotel.