Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square is a vast public plaza in the heart of Beijing, located immediately south of the Forbidden City and serving as a focal point for state ceremonies and large public gatherings. It is one of the largest city squares in the world and is flanked by major government and cultural buildings.

Key features on and around the square include the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong on the square’s central axis, and the Great Hall of the People. Many visitors walk the square to see these monuments and to view the surrounding historic buildings and the north-facing Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen).

The square’s present form dates largely from mid-20th-century redesigns, particularly for the founding ceremonies of the People’s Republic in 1949; earlier gates and walls at the site date back to imperial times. The space has since been adapted for parades, political events and public memorials.

Tiananmen Square sits in central Beijing, immediately south of the Forbidden City and within the city’s central administrative district; it is accessible by multiple subway lines and is a short walk from major central Beijing transport hubs.

• Size: The square covers an area of roughly 440,000 square metres and is one of the largest urban squares in the world, often used for national ceremonies and public gatherings.
• Visitor procedures: Security and formal procedures apply for visits to the mausoleum and for large public events; allow time for bag checks on busy days.

What to See #

• Monument to the People's Heroes: A tall obelisk commemorating revolutionary martyrs that stands near the southern end of the square and is a focal point for ceremonies.
• Mausoleum of Mao Zedong: The mausoleum that preserves the embalmed body of Mao Zedong; it is open to the public with formal entry procedures and security checks.
• Great Hall of the People: The major government assembly hall on the square's western side where national legislative and diplomatic events are held.