Tiananmen Square: Tickets and Tours

Tiananmen Square is one of the most significant spots in the history of the city and is the location of the notorious 1989 protests, which led to the massacre of many Chinese citizens. Today, it serves as a reminder of the past and is surrounded by a number of remarkable landmarks.

By purchasing Tiananmen Square tours, you’ll open a window to the 20th-century history of this corner of China and explore exquisite architecture at the same time.

Here's all you need to know about Tiananmen Square, one of the most exciting attractions in Beijing.

How much do Tiananmen Square tours cost?

As a public plaza in the center of Beijing, Tiananmen Square is free to discover, making it a must-visit destination on your itinerary. The square is surrounded by many attractions, some of which incur an admission fee, such as the Great Hall of the People and the Forbidden City Music Hall.

Should you book in advance?

While you do not need to secure Tiananmen Square tickets in advance, those who are opting for a combination tour should consider booking their slot before arriving in Beijing.

This will save you precious vacation time upon arrival, which would otherwise be spent roaming the streets searching for a guide, and you’ll be able to book a time that is convenient for your group.

You’ll have the opportunity to check out the itinerary of each tour before booking to ensure it piques your interest, as well as reviews from other travelers.

Are there any combined tours including Tiananmen Square and other attractions?

Typically, Tiananmen Square tickets and tours include other attractions, such as the Forbidden City, and the Mutianyu Great Wall. Purchasing a combination pass is an ideal way to save yourself money as these are usually cheaper than booking two or more excursions.

It also relieves some of the stress of planning your vacation as your tour operator takes care of the transportation between sights and, in some cases, arranges a convenient hotel pickup for a seamless experience.

On top of saving money and stress, combination Tiananmen Square tickets also save you time as you can see several attractions in just a few short hours, meaning that you can participate in one of these tours no matter how long you have to spare in Beijing.

• Forbidden City plus Tiananmen Square guided tour: Discover Beijing’s colorful history on this guided Tiananmen Square tour, which enables you to explore a fascinating range of landmarks, including the 20th-century Mausoleum of Mao Zedong and The Monument to the People's Heroes — dedicated to the fallen soldiers of the revolution — as well as the wooden palace complex of the Forbidden City.

• Private Tiananmen Square plus the Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall tour: Enjoy the personalization of a private excursion as you weave your way through the wooden structures of the Forbidden City, learn the complex history of Tiananmen Square and travel back in time at the 6th-century portion of China’s Great Wall.

• Private tour of the Temple of Heaven plus Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City: Alongside discovering the intriguing history behind Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, you’ll also pay a visit to the UNESCO-listed Temple of Heaven — an important worship spot during the Ming, and Qing dynasties.

What will you see?

Tiananmen Square was originally built in the 17th century and was expanded upon during the 1950s. Before this expansion, in 1949, the People's Republic of China was founded upon the square by the chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, Mao Zedong.

While the anniversary of this important day is still celebrated at the destination, Tiananmen Square is best known for the infamous protests that took place over a period of almost 2 months in 1989. The event that began this chain of protests was the death of Hu Yaobang — the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party — who collapsed from a heart attack on April 8th and died a week later.

This sparked a mourning period for many Chinese citizens, which led to protests over two issues close to Yaobang’s heart — the transparency of the government system and ending corruption. As these protests continued, a peaceful conclusion was attempted with negotiations from both sides over a period of several weeks.

However, no such conclusion was reached as, on the evening of June 3rd, the government deployed troops to the area. The students were given an hour to vacate the premises, however, after just 5 minutes, the troops attacked and many of these unarmed civilians were killed.

While the death toll was never confirmed, recent evidence has come to light that suggests at least 10,000 were killed during this event dubbed the “Tiananmen Square Massacre.” The bloodshed is a topic that is highly censored in China, with the government banning all commemorations.

However, in Tiananmen Square, you can find the Monument to the People’s Heroes, which recognizes all those who lost their lives as the citizens of China rose up to achieve a more honest system for future generations.

By purchasing Tiananmen Square tickets, you can pay your respects to these brave students and learn how these peaceful, and defenseless, objectors caused such a stir among the Chinese government of the time.

How to get there?

Tiananmen Square is accessible via two gates — Tiananmen and Zhengyangmen, which is often referred to as Qianmen — and is located in the center of Beijing. The square is easily accessible by public transportation and the best way to do so is by taking the subway Lines 1 or 2.

If you choose the subway Line 1, you’ll depart at either Tiananmen East Station or Tiananmen West Station. Both of these are approximately 10 minutes walk from the attraction and the route of either is simple. Those who would rather save their energy for their tour through Tiananmen Square can take any of the following bus lines from Tiananmen East Station to reach the plaza: Lines 1, 120, 2, 52 or 82.

Those who hop onto the subway Line 2 will disembark at Qianmen Station, which is also around 10 minutes from the destination on foot.

Is it wheelchair friendly?

Tiananmen Square is completely flat, making it an ideal destination for wheelchair users to explore.

However, those who choose a combination tour that includes other sights should consult the booking page to make sure their selected excursion is suitable for all members of their party. If not, you can choose from a number of other Tiananmen Square tours that are more accessible.

When is the best time to visit Tiananmen Square?

Try to visit Tiananmen Square early morning to avoid crowds and to experience the iconic landmarks in a more serene atmosphere. During the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) the weather is pleasant.

Which other attractions can be visited in Beijing?

• Forbidden City
• Summer Palace
• Temple of Heaven
• Lama Temple

Travel tips

• Expect thorough security checks before entering Tiananmen Square, so arrive with extra time.
• Dress modestly and respectfully, as the square holds cultural and historical significance.
• The square is vast, so carry water, especially during warm months.
• Abide by the rules and regulations, including photography guidelines and respectful behavior.