Chairman Mao Memorial Hall
Located south of Tiananmen Square, the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao is the resting place of Chairman Mao and serves as a place to pay respects to the founding leaders of the People's Republic of China.
The Memorial Hall is a two-story rectangular building, with the first floor as its main structure. Its exterior features 44 yellow granite columns and a double-layered golden glazed roof adorned with sunflower relief carvings. The base consists of two tiers of platforms, built with deep red granite and surrounded by white marble railings decorated with blue floral patterns.
At the center of the northern and southern staircases, white marble handrails are engraved with motifs of sunflowers, evergreens, wintersweet flowers, and pine trees. Above the main entrance hangs a white marble plaque inscribed with golden characters reading "Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao". On either side of the entrance stand two sets of over 8-meter-tall group sculptures. Outside the southern entrance, 30 red flags represent China's provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities.
Currently, the exhibition halls open to the public in the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao are the North Hall, the Memorial Hall, and the South Hall on the first floor, and the Six Revolutionary Leaders' Memorial Rooms and the Collection Exhibition Room on the second floor.
Upon entering through the main entrance, you'll arrive at the North Hall, a space designated for commemorative ceremonies. At its center stands a 3.45-meter-tall white marble statue of a seated Chairman Mao with a gentle smile on his face. Behind the statue hangs a large-scale tapestry titled "The Land of Our Motherland".
The core of the structure is the Memorial Hall to the south of north Hall. Here, in a crystal coffin at the center of the room, lies the preserved body of Chairman Mao, dressed in a gray suit and draped with the bright red flag of the Communist Party of China. The crystal coffin rests on a base of black granite, surrounded by vibrant flowers.
The South Hall serves as the exit. On its white marble walls, a poem handwritten by Chairman Mao himself is engraved.
The second-floor memorial halls are arranged chronologically and by theme, showcasing the achievements of six revolutionary leaders through a vast collection of photographs, documents, and artifacts. These halls also include a screening area for relevant documentaries. The Collection Exhibition Room displays items dedicated by people from all over the country.
The construction project of the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao was established in October 1976, with construction beginning in November of the same year. The main structure was completed by May 1977, and the Hall was officially inaugurated and opened to the public in September 1977 to allow people to pay their respects.
Admission to the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao is free, but requires reservation through the official WeChat mini program (no English version). At 12:30 Beijing time every day, tickets for the next 1 to 6 days are released. Due to high demand, it is recommended to make a reservation as early as possible.
The Hall is open from 08:00 to 12:00, closed on Mondays, and may be closed if there are major events at Tiananmen Square.
To enter the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao, you need to pass the security check at Tiananmen Square first. The nearest checkpoints are:
Security Checkpoint 04, Southeast of the Square: Take Subway Line 2/8 to Qianmen Station (Exit E2), walk 15 min to Checkpoint 04, then 8 min north to the Memorial Hall.
Security Checkpoint 07, Southwest of the Square: Take Subway Line 2/8 to Qianmen Station (Exit C), walk 20 min to Checkpoint 07, then 4 min northeast to the Memorial Hall.
Please pay attention that inside the Memorial Hall, bags are not allowed, and only essential items like passports and mobile phones are permitted. Liquids, power banks, and cameras are also prohibited. You can store them for free at the baggage storage area on the east side of the square before entering. The storage is open from 7:30 to 11:50. After your visit, exit the Hall and turn left to cross the road and retrieve your belongings.
Arrive before the 8:00 opening time when queues are shorter, typically allowing entry within 10-15 minutes. This also leaves ample time to explore other attractions in Tiananmen Square. It is best to avoid weekends and public holidays, when queuing can often take over an hour.
Please turn off your cell phone and keep quiet throughout the visit, remove your hats and sunglasses, and do not stop or take photos during the memorial.
After passing the security check, you can see places to sell chrysanthemums prices CNY3 each. You can buy some if necessary.
After the visit, exit from the south gate. On the left outside the door, you can get a free souvenir ticket for the visit.
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| Our Tour Group at Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao |
What Does the Memorial Hall Look Like?
The Memorial Hall is a two-story rectangular building, with the first floor as its main structure. Its exterior features 44 yellow granite columns and a double-layered golden glazed roof adorned with sunflower relief carvings. The base consists of two tiers of platforms, built with deep red granite and surrounded by white marble railings decorated with blue floral patterns.
At the center of the northern and southern staircases, white marble handrails are engraved with motifs of sunflowers, evergreens, wintersweet flowers, and pine trees. Above the main entrance hangs a white marble plaque inscribed with golden characters reading "Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao". On either side of the entrance stand two sets of over 8-meter-tall group sculptures. Outside the southern entrance, 30 red flags represent China's provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities.
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What Can I See Inside the Memorial Hall?
Currently, the exhibition halls open to the public in the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao are the North Hall, the Memorial Hall, and the South Hall on the first floor, and the Six Revolutionary Leaders' Memorial Rooms and the Collection Exhibition Room on the second floor.
Upon entering through the main entrance, you'll arrive at the North Hall, a space designated for commemorative ceremonies. At its center stands a 3.45-meter-tall white marble statue of a seated Chairman Mao with a gentle smile on his face. Behind the statue hangs a large-scale tapestry titled "The Land of Our Motherland".
The core of the structure is the Memorial Hall to the south of north Hall. Here, in a crystal coffin at the center of the room, lies the preserved body of Chairman Mao, dressed in a gray suit and draped with the bright red flag of the Communist Party of China. The crystal coffin rests on a base of black granite, surrounded by vibrant flowers.
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| Chairman Mao Memorial Hall |
The South Hall serves as the exit. On its white marble walls, a poem handwritten by Chairman Mao himself is engraved.
The second-floor memorial halls are arranged chronologically and by theme, showcasing the achievements of six revolutionary leaders through a vast collection of photographs, documents, and artifacts. These halls also include a screening area for relevant documentaries. The Collection Exhibition Room displays items dedicated by people from all over the country.
When & Why Built - Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao History
The construction project of the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao was established in October 1976, with construction beginning in November of the same year. The main structure was completed by May 1977, and the Hall was officially inaugurated and opened to the public in September 1977 to allow people to pay their respects.
Practical Tips for Visiting Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao
Tickets
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| Photography Before the Memorial Hall |
Admission to the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao is free, but requires reservation through the official WeChat mini program (no English version). At 12:30 Beijing time every day, tickets for the next 1 to 6 days are released. Due to high demand, it is recommended to make a reservation as early as possible.
Opening Hours
The Hall is open from 08:00 to 12:00, closed on Mondays, and may be closed if there are major events at Tiananmen Square.
Transportation
To enter the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao, you need to pass the security check at Tiananmen Square first. The nearest checkpoints are:
Security Checkpoint 04, Southeast of the Square: Take Subway Line 2/8 to Qianmen Station (Exit E2), walk 15 min to Checkpoint 04, then 8 min north to the Memorial Hall.
Security Checkpoint 07, Southwest of the Square: Take Subway Line 2/8 to Qianmen Station (Exit C), walk 20 min to Checkpoint 07, then 4 min northeast to the Memorial Hall.
Allowed Carry-ons
Please pay attention that inside the Memorial Hall, bags are not allowed, and only essential items like passports and mobile phones are permitted. Liquids, power banks, and cameras are also prohibited. You can store them for free at the baggage storage area on the east side of the square before entering. The storage is open from 7:30 to 11:50. After your visit, exit the Hall and turn left to cross the road and retrieve your belongings.
Best Visit Time
Arrive before the 8:00 opening time when queues are shorter, typically allowing entry within 10-15 minutes. This also leaves ample time to explore other attractions in Tiananmen Square. It is best to avoid weekends and public holidays, when queuing can often take over an hour.
Visiting Etiquette
Please turn off your cell phone and keep quiet throughout the visit, remove your hats and sunglasses, and do not stop or take photos during the memorial.
Chrysanthemum Flowers
After passing the security check, you can see places to sell chrysanthemums prices CNY3 each. You can buy some if necessary.
Commemorative Paper Tickets
After the visit, exit from the south gate. On the left outside the door, you can get a free souvenir ticket for the visit.
Other Attractions around Tiananmen Square
- Last updated on Dec. 15, 2025 by Jally Zhang -