Tiananmen Gate Tower at a glance
Tiananmen Gate is the red gate on the north side of the square, facing the Chang'an Avenue. You can photograph it from the square for free. Going up to the tower above it is a different thing: it is a separately reserved, paid visit and is not included in a free visit to the square.
An adult ticket costs CNY 15 and a reduced ticket CNY 5 (2026 tariff). No separate online service fee applies. The tower is closed on Mondays except public holidays, and tickets are not sold on the day or at a counter. You book at least one day ahead. For the practical steps, see below.
Do not mix up the names. Tiananmen Gate Tower is not the Zhengyangmen Gate Tower at the south end of the square, and it is not the palace behind the gate. If you are planning a full day, Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City tours show how visitors link them.
Tiananmen Gate Tower opening hours
Hours depend on the season. Mondays are closed except public holidays.
| Season | Opening hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April to 31 October 2026 | 08:30–17:00 | 16:30 |
| 1 November to 31 March | 08:30–16:30 | 16:00 |
The tower is not open at dawn or at night, so plan around the hours above. Check the current notice in early November for the winter hours.
Our pick: through the gate into the palace
Our take: this tour passes through the Gate of Heavenly Peace on the way into the Forbidden City.
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.
Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Beijing tours
Guided days around the square, the Forbidden City and the old city, with live prices and availability. The Gate Tower ticket is booked separately, so check what each tour includes.
How to book Tiananmen Gate Tower tickets
You book through the tower's own booking channels: its official website or its official WeChat account named 天安门城楼参观预约. Booking is for dates at least one day ahead. New tickets for the next 7 days are released every day at 17:00 Beijing time. There is no same-day ticket and no ticket sale at the site.
- Route: the visit follows a one-way route. You come in from the south via the Jinshui bridge and leave towards the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City.
- Luggage: pick up anything you left behind before you walk on through Duanmen, because the way back is closed.
- No combined ticket: the Forbidden City needs its own ticket. For it, see the Meridian Gate guide.
The square itself needs a reservation too. Read our Tiananmen Square reservation page so that you can reach the gate area.
Prices, discounts and students
Adults pay CNY 15. Free and reduced tickets can be limited to Chinese citizens and permanent residents, so do not count on them as a tourist.
| Visitor | Price | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | CNY 15 | No separate online service fee |
| Reduced ticket | CNY 5 | Reduced tariff |
| Under 18 and from 60 | Free | Often limited to Chinese citizens and foreign permanent residents |
| Full-time students 18 and over | CNY 5 | Undergraduate or below; foreign student cards may not count |
For most visitors the safe plan is CNY 15 per adult. If you hope for a free or reduced ticket, bring your passport and any student proof, and check the rule again when you book.
A short history of the gate
Construction of the gate began in 1417, when it was called Chengtianmen. It was rebuilt under the Qing in the 1650s and received its present name. For the Ming and Qing dynasties it was the main gate of the imperial city.
On 1 October 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China from the tower. Our history of the square puts the gate in order with the later changes to the area.
Tiananmen Gate Tower: frequently asked questions
Can I go up Tiananmen Gate for free?
No. The tower is a separate paid visit with its own booking. The square is free, but the tower is not part of it. The adult ticket is CNY 15.
What are the opening hours of the tower?
In the main season, 1 April to 31 October 2026, 08:30 to 17:00 with the ticket check ending at 16:30. Do not expect a dawn or night visit to the tower.
Can I buy a ticket on the day?
No. Book at least one day ahead. New tickets for the next 7 days are released daily at 17:00. There is no ticket office sale at the site.
Do foreigners get free entry under 18 or over 60?
Do not count on it. Free entry can be limited to Chinese citizens and foreign permanent residents. Plan with the paid tariff and check when you book.
Does the ticket include the Forbidden City?
No. The route ends at the Meridian Gate, and the Forbidden City needs its own ticket.
Is this the official ticket site for Tiananmen Gate?
No. This is an independent travel guide. Tickets are sold only on the tower's own booking channels.