Mao Mausoleum at a glance
The Mao Mausoleum, officially the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, stands in the southern part of Tiananmen Square, south of the Monument to the People's Heroes. It was completed and opened on 9 September 1977. After a closure it reopened to visitors on 1 September 2026.
Regular opening days are Tuesday to Sunday from 08:00 to 12:00. Monday is not a regular opening day. Public holidays and commemoration days are announced separately, so check the current notice before you plan around a holiday.
Admission is free, but every visitor needs a reservation, children included. The visit is a short walk through the hall in a steady line, and the rules are stricter than on the open square. If you are still deciding how to spend a day in the area, our overview of Beijing tours that include Tiananmen Square shows the usual combinations.
Mao Mausoleum visit details
Status for 2026. Times and booking rules can change at short notice, so confirm them in the booking service.
| Topic | What applies |
|---|---|
| Opening days | Tuesday to Sunday, 08:00–12:00 |
| Reopened | 1 September 2026 |
| Price | Free, with reservation |
| Booking window | 1 to 6 days ahead, no same-day booking |
| New slots | Released daily at 12:30 |
| Group size per booking | Up to 5 people |
| At the entrance | Valid ID and reservation check, then security check |
Our pick: a Memorial Hall booking
Our take: this booking covers the hall and its open exhibitions.
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 that include Tiananmen Square
Guided days in central Beijing that combine the square with the Forbidden City, hutongs and other sights, with live prices and availability. Check whether a tour covers the Mausoleum, which needs its own reservation.
How to reserve the Mao Mausoleum
You book through the hall's own channels: the official WeChat service account named 毛主席纪念堂, the booking mini-program of the same name, or the People.cn topic page that links to the booking. A public web interface for the booking also exists.
- Timing: book 1 to 6 days before the visit. New slots appear every day at 12:30 Beijing time. You cannot book for the same day.
- Phone number: registration asks for a mobile number issued directly by China Mobile, China Telecom or China Unicom. Numbers from virtual operators are not accepted. If you only have a foreign number, check the current booking steps early.
- Group size: up to 5 people per booking.
- Everyone books: adults and children each need a place in the reservation.
- ID: carry the valid ID you booked with. It is checked at the entrance together with the reservation.
A valid reservation for the day also lets you visit the square in the morning or afternoon without a separate square reservation. It does not replace the flag ceremony booking. The details of the square booking are on our Tiananmen Square reservation page.
What to leave outside, what to expect
The hall has narrower rules than the square. Pack light on the day.
| Item | In the hall | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bags | Not allowed | Left-luggage is east of the square; free for a limited time with your reservation proof |
| Cameras | Not allowed | Photo and video cameras stay outside |
| Drinks and liquids | Not allowed | Finish or leave water bottles at the storage |
| Weapons, ammunition, controlled knives | Not allowed | Also flammable and explosive items |
| Phone | Switch off or silent | Keep it in a pocket |
| Clothing | Neat and appropriate | No fixed length rule |
Inside, keep quiet, keep moving with the line and do not climb barriers. Smoking is not allowed. Rules can change, so read the current visitor notice when you book. The hall can also close at short notice when the square is under special controls.
Plan the morning around the Mausoleum
The hall closes at noon, so it is a first stop, not a last one.
Book the early slot
Visiting hours are only four hours long. An early reservation leaves time for the security queue and the left-luggage counter.
Getting there →Drop your bag first
The storage is east of the square. Do this before you join the entrance line, and keep your ID and reservation on your phone or in a pocket.
Rules and security checks →Combine it with the square
The Mausoleum lies south of the Monument to the People's Heroes. After the visit, walk north across the square towards the gate and the neighbouring buildings.
Square facts →Use the afternoon elsewhere
The palace complex lies north of Tiananmen Gate. Read the Tiananmen Gate page first, then plan the Forbidden City separately.
Best time to visit →
Mao Mausoleum: frequently asked questions
Is the Mao Mausoleum open in 2026?
Yes. It reopened on 1 September 2026 and is regularly open Tuesday to Sunday from 08:00 to 12:00. Holidays and commemoration days are announced separately, and short-notice closures are possible when the square is under special controls.
How much does the Mao Mausoleum cost?
Nothing. The reservation and the visit are free, but all visitors, including children, need a reservation.
Can I go without a reservation?
No. The reservation and a valid ID are checked at the entrance. Book 1 to 6 days ahead; same-day booking is not possible.
Can foreign visitors book?
The booking asks for a mobile number issued directly by one of the three major Chinese carriers. If you only have a foreign number, look at the booking steps well before your trip and keep the square, the museum or the Great Hall as alternatives.
Can I bring a camera or a backpack?
No. Bags, cameras, drinks and other liquids are not allowed in the hall. Left-luggage is east of the square and is free for a limited time with your reservation proof.
Is this the official Mao Mausoleum website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. Reservations are made only through the hall's own booking service.