Tiananmen Gate
The information contained here are subject to change. Chinese History Digest is not responsible or liable if any changes should occur.
Opening Hours
8.30am - 5pm
Tickets available until 4.30pm
Entrance Ticket Prices
15 yuan
the Tiananmen Gate as seen from the sideThe Tiananmen Gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace) is located to the north of Beijing's Tiananmen Square, from which it is divided by the wide Chang'an Avenue. To approach the gate from Tiananmen Square, you will have to walk through a tunnel underneath Chang'an Avenue. Directly in front of the gate are seven white marble bridges of which the central one was reserved for the emperor in times past.
the Gate of Heavenly Peace is featured in the National Emblem of the People's Republic of ChinaThe Gate of Heavenly Peace was used as the gatehouse of the Forbidden City during the time of the Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty. While the Ming and Qing emperors used the central arched gateway to enter the Forbidden City back then, ministers and officials had to pass through the smaller side gateways. In post-imperial times, the Gate of Heavenly Peace increasingly became associated with political events such as the May Fourth Movement during the time of the Republic of China and especially the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
Most approaching visitors will be able to already recognize the Tiananmen Gate from afar by the decoration of its southern facade that fronts Tiananmen Square. A huge portrait of Mao Zedong is mounted above the central arched gateway while two placards that proclaim "Long Live the People's Republic of China" and "Long Live the Great Unity of the World's Peoples" can be seen above the side gateways. Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China on the balcony of the Tiananmen Gate on the 1st of October 1949. A portrait of Mao has been on display at the gate since that year. As a symbol of modern China, an artistic rendering of the gate can also be found within the National Emblem of the People's Republic of China.
The Gate of Heavenly Peace was originally constructed in AD 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor. It was called Chengtianmen (Gate of Accepting Heavenly Mandate) during those early years. As an edifice that was completely built out of wood, the gate looked very different back then. It was completely destroyed twice by fire and rebuilt each time with major changes to its design. The current external appearance of the Tiananmen Gate is essentially the same as it was after its second rebuilding was completed in AD 1651. That was also when the gate was given its present name.
The Tiananmen Gate can be visited by the public since November 1987. Besides providing a magnificent view over Tiananmen Square from its balcony, you will find a selection of historical artifacts and photographs (mainly from the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China) displayed inside.
panoramic image of the Tiananmen Gate in Beijing
How to get to the Tiananmen Gate in Beijing?
| Address: | Tiananmen Gate, North of Tiananmen Square, Dongcheng district, Beijing, China |
| Tel.Nr.: | +86 10 8119 1011 |
| Airport: | Beijing Nanyuan Airport (NAY), Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) |
| Train Station: | Beijing Railway Station, Beijing South Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, Beijing North Railway Station, Beijing East Railway Station, Qinghe Railway Station |
| Metro: | Tiananmen East Station - Subway Line 1 - Exit A; Tiananmen West Station - Subway Line 1 - Exit B; Qianmen Station - Subway Line 2 - Take Exit A and walk north |
| Bus: | Tiananmen East Station (bus lines: 1, 2, 52, 59, 82, 120, Sightseeing Bus Line 2, Tourist Bus Line 2); Tiananmen West Station (bus lines: 1, 5, 52, Sightseeing Bus Line 1, Sightseeing Bus Line 2, Tourist Bus Line 2); Tiananmen Square West (bus lines: 120, Sightseeing Bus Line 2) |
On the following Google map, you can see the location of the Tiananmen Gate (the blue gate-shaped icon) and the Beijing Hotel NUO (the yellow hotel bed icon) which is our recommended hotel nearby. Further below on this page, you can read a review of this hotel's services and amenities. In case you are planning a trip to China, you could support this website by using the provided affiliate links to check prices and book your hotel accomodation!
You can book hotels in China with both of our affiliate partners Agoda and Trip.com. No matter whether you choose Agoda or Trip.com, you will find many offers on each of these platforms that will allow you to make a risk-free booking with the possibility of free cancellation until a clearly stated date and time, sometimes as late as on the intended date of arrival. However, some deals require prepayment and don't permit cancellation without fees. In that case, the incurred cancellation fees are clearly stated.
When following an Agoda link, the search results will show you prices, availability and special offers for your chosen dates with the recommended hotel in the top search position as well as for other hotels in the same area. Links to Trip.com will take you to the specific hotel webpage where you can then search for availability, prices and special deals with your chosen dates.
The provided information was thoroughly researched from various hotel booking websites. Chinese History Digest is not responsible if any information regarding the provided services and amenities might have changed.
Recommended Hotel near Beijing's Gate of Heavenly Peace
The Beijing Hotel NUO that is reviewed below is one of the closest 5-star hotels to Beijing's Gate of Heavenly Peace. In addition to the links to Agoda that are used in the review below, this hotel is also available for booking on Trip.com by following this link.
Beijing Hotel NUO
The Beijing Hotel NUO is a 5-star hotel that occupies Block B (built in 1917) of the historic Beijing Hotel. With its classic architecture that attracts attention with its grand colonnade façade, broad marble staircase and interior features such as period-styled rooms and polished 1920s dance floor, this hotel attracts travellers from all over the world that want to experience its mixture of old-world charm and modern comforts (last hotel renovation was in 2006). When it comes to location-related advantages, there is no better place to stay in Beijing than at the Hotel NUO. It is located right at the heart of the city just a short walk away from Tiananmen Gate and also within close walking distance of the famous Wangfujing Street (famous for shopping and eating). What's more, access to the neighborhoods around the hotel is greatly facilitated by the availability of a free shuttle service and the closest subway station (Wangfujing Station) is nearby as well. Of course, the hotel also arranges transportation to and from the airport (for an extra fee of 750 yuan) and guests can request to book that service in advance when making their room reservation online. Travel time between the hotel and the closest airport - Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) - is typically about 50 minutes.
All rooms of the Beijing Hotel NUO are air-conditioned and contain a refrigerator, minibar and safe. Free bottled water is provided. Guests have free internet access through Wi-Fi and LAN cable. In addition to standard rooms, the hotel also has family rooms and suites (incl. a bridal suite). Smoking is only allowed in certain designated areas of the hotel (so not inside the rooms)! Laundry service (including dry cleaning) and luggage storage are available. There are three restaurants on-site (plus a bar and a coffee shop) where award-winning chefs prepare gourmet food in a variety of different cuisines. Guests also have manifold choices regarding which type of breakfast they prefer (American, Asian, Continental, Vegan, Buffet). Most room rates include breakfast which can also be purchased separately for 178 yuan if not included. To keep in shape, guests can exercise at the hotel's modern fitness center with its state-of-the-art exercise equipment and enjoy themselves at the hotel's indoor swimming pool.
0.6 miles away
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