Mao's embalmed body has lain in a crystal casket here since 1977, draped in the Party flag, in a hall built on the site of the Ming Gate of China. Visitors from across China queue to file past in silence, then exit through rooms of Mao souvenirs.
- Address
- Centre of Tiananmen Square, Dongcheng District
- Hours
- Tue-Sun 08:00-12:00; closed Mon (visitbeijing.com.cn; Lonely Planet 2025)
- Best time to go
- Morning · About 1 h
- Price
- Free with advance reservation (visitbeijing.com.cn; Lonely Planet 2025)
- Price level
- ¥
- Free entry
- Free for everyone
Booking: Advance real-name reservation via WeChat, passport required
Details can change. Check hours and prices before you go.
Good to know
- Reserve through WeChat; Lonely Planet (2025) says tickets are extremely hard to get, so book 5-6 days ahead for a weekday.
- It stands inside the Tiananmen security zone, so you also need a square reservation (Lonely Planet).
- If you miss out, the socialist-realist sculpture groups outside are worth a look.