To watch the Tiananmen flag-raising ceremony, you need to make a good appointment, time, location and other plans in order to have a good experience.
I. Appointment process (must be done)
• Reservation channel: Search the "Tiananmen Square Reservation Visit" applet on WeChat, select the "flag-raising" period of the corresponding date to make an appointment, which needs to be operated 1-7 days in advance, and the quota will be opened at 12 noon every day. It is recommended to set an alarm clock to grab tickets on time on holidays. If you don't make an appointment, you can pay attention to the daily return ticket.
• Reservation details: Up to 4 adults + 3 children can be filled in. Children under the age of 6 or less than 1.2 meters tall are exempted, but the number should be indicated. Save the screenshots of the reservation code and ID card in advance, which is convenient for quick presentation during the security check.
II. Time planning
• Flag-raising time: synchronized with the sunrise, it changes every day. You can determine the specific time of the day by making an appointment applet or checking the sunrise time in Beijing. For example, it is about 4:45 - 5:15 in summer and about 6:10 in winter.
• Arrival time: During regular hours, it is recommended to arrive at the security gate 1.5-2 hours in advance; on holidays or if you want to grab the front row, you need to arrive at 2-3 a.m.; the elderly and families with children can be appropriately advanced to use the special security check channel to save time.
III. Traffic Guide
• Night bus: night No. 1, night No. 2 and other last buses depart at 04:50, which can go directly to Tiananmen East, Tiananmen West and other stations, which is suitable for tourists living far away.
• Subway: Get off at Tiananmen East Station and Tiananmen West Station on Subway Line 1, and walk for 5 minutes to the security gate, but the first bus is about 5:00, and it is not suitable for tourists arriving early.
• Taxi/self-driving: Self-driving is not recommended. Chang'an Street is prohibited and there is no surrounding parking lot. If you take a taxi, it is recommended to locate Dong'anfu Hutong, Justice Road and other nearby areas, and then walk to the security gate.
IV. Security gate guide
There are mainly 5 common security checkpoints to watch the Tiananmen flag-raising ceremony. Different security checkpoints correspond to different viewing perspectives and arrival methods. You can choose according to the viewing effect you want to experience. The specific routes are as follows:
The core advantage of the security gate is the location of the subway to take a taxi
No. 1 (Tian'anmen West Red Wall Security Gate) You can watch the honor guard coming out of the Jinshui Bridge at close range, and you can also take a close-up photo with Tiananmen Tower. Take Line 1 to Exit B of "Tiananmen West Station" and walk for dozens of meters to the intersection of East Anfu Hutong and Dongwenchang Hutong, or the intersection of Shibei Hutong and West Chang'an Street.
No. 2 (Tiananmen East Red Wall Security Gate) You can watch the whole process of the honor guard coming out of the tower to the flag-raising point. It has a strong sense of ceremony, and there is a children's passage. Take Line 1 to Exit B of "Tiananmen East Station", and you can walk to the East Gate of Zishutang.
No. 3 (the security check gate of the north road on the east side of the square) is close to the flag pole, and it is easy to grab the C position of the flag. The view is wide, and the number of queues is moderate. Take Line 1 to Exit C or D of "Tiananmen East Railway Station", and you can walk to the vicinity of Dongjiao Minxiang or the east gate of Zishutang.
No. 4 (South Security Check Exit of the East Road of the Square) You can see the flag up close in the square. Take Line 2 to Exit A or Exit E2 of "Qianmen Station" to exit the Zhengyangmen Pavilion of China Railway Museum.
No. 7 (South Security Check Gate of the West Road of the Square) The view of the flag in the square is good, which is suitable for tourists who want to see the flag-raising up close but don't want to squeeze in Exit 3. Take Line 2 to Exit C of "Qianmen Station" and exit the Qianmen Flag Hotel, or the intersection of the Great Hall of the People West Road and Xijiao Minxiang.
There are also two practical reminders: First, when making an appointment, you will choose the flag-raising time and the security check intersection. You can occasionally cross the security gate to enter, but the management is strict on major holidays. It is recommended to go according to the reserved security gate; Second, give priority to the subway or taxi in the early morning. Self-driving is not only easy to traffic jams but also has no parking points. Don't choose it.
V. Recommended seats for viewing the ceremony
• C position first choice: both sides of the national flag base, the closest to the flagpole, you can see the movements of the flag bearer clearly, suitable for photography enthusiasts, but you need to take a seat before 2 a.m.
• Popular preference: the central axis area between the East and the West watches, with a wide view, and you can see the complete flag-raising process. It is suitable for families and couples. If you arrive 1.5 hours in advance, you can occupy a good seat.
• Creative camera position: the oblique rear step of the national flag pole can take pictures of the national flag and the People's Heroes Monument in the same frame; there are few people outside the guardrail on the north side of Chairman Mao Memorial Hall with good visibility, and you can take pictures of the national flag and the traffic flow of Chang'an Street in the same frame.
• Convenient alternative: On both sides of the Jinshui Bridge, you can see the complete route of the Honor Guard coming out of the Tiananmen Tower, which is suitable for tourists who want to take into account the process of the Honor Guard.
VI. Food recommendation
Warm breakfast after raising the flag
• Zengsheng Kui Snacks: The address is No. 60 Qianmen Street, Dongcheng District, and it opens at 5 o'clock, which is just right for the time to raise the flag. 15 yuan per capita, the sugar and oil cake is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the tofu brain marinade is thick. A mouthful of hot breakfast can relieve the fatigue of getting up early.
• Black Kiln Factory Street Sugar Oil Cake: Building 3, Siping Garden, Black Kiln Factory Street, Xicheng District, opens at 5:30, only 8 yuan per person. The sugar and oil cake here is the TOP1 in the hearts of local people. It is recommended to arrive at the store before 6 o'clock to avoid queuing. The freshly cooked sugar and oil cake with a bowl of soy milk is simple and authentic.
• Yin Sandou Juice: No. 39 Guangming Hutong, Dongcheng District, open at 5:30, 5 yuan per capita. The taste of bean soup is relatively mild, which is suitable for beginners to try. With crispy pancakes, you can experience the old Beijing specialty breakfast. It is not far from Tiananmen Square and can be reached on foot.
Main meal and special flavors
• Four Seasons Minfu (Qianmen Store): After visiting Tiananmen Square and its surroundings, it is suitable to come here for a main meal. The signature fried noodles are 28 yuan to be full. The noodles are chewy, the meat sauce is rich, and there are delicate and sweet pea yellow to relieve greasy. It is a cost-effective Beijing-style main meal.
• Door Frame Hutong 100-year-old braised stew: A must-try for heavy-tasting lovers. For 35 yuan, you can eat a bowl of soft and delicious braised braised meat, with crispy outside and tender fried enema on the inside, full of fireworks. The store is close to the front door, and you can check in after visiting the scenic spots.
• Donglaishun Restaurant (Qianmen Store): If you want to eat Beijing-flavored copper pot shabu-shabu, you can choose this restaurant. Fresh mutton is shabu-shabu at the bottom of the clear soup pot, with sesame sauce dipping sauce, and fried pancakes that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is about 60 yuan per capita, which is suitable for many people to have dinner together.
VII. Hotel recommendation
High-end luxury type
• Beijing Hotel: On the east side of Tiananmen Square, it is very convenient to walk to the security gate. Some guest rooms and restaurants can directly overlook Tiananmen Square. If you are lucky, you can indirectly see the flag-raising ceremony. It is adjacent to Wangfujing Pedestrian Street. After the tour, you can also eat and shop. The hotel itself is also a landmark with historical background, which is suitable for the pursuit of sightseeing and taste. Tourists with quality experience.
• Beijing VIP Hotel: 1.5 kilometers walk from Tiananmen West Subway Station, adjacent to the Forbidden City, the top floor platform overlooks the whole view of the Forbidden City, European-style decoration with fountain bar, full of living experience, early walking for more than ten minutes to the security gate of Tiananmen Square, taking into account the convenience of watching the flag and the needs of high-end accommodation. .
Comfortable and cost-effective
• Heyi Zhishang Hotel (Beijing Wangfujing Subway Station Pedestrian Street Branch): It is only 2 kilometers away from Tiananmen West Subway Station, and the pedestrian street is downstairs, which is convenient for travel and shopping. The hotel has a buffet breakfast, laundry room and family room, which is suitable for family tourists. You can get up early and walk or ride a bicycle to catch the flag, which is very cost-effective.
• Beijing Tiananmen Wangfujing Meilun Hotel: It is about 1.8 kilometers away from Tiananmen Square. There are duplex loft rooms, robot services and laundry rooms. Some room types have home theaters, which are suitable for tourists who like special room types. It is adjacent to Wangfujing. After watching the flag, you can go shopping for supplies.
Convenient and economical
• Hanting Hotel (Yangmei Zhuxi Street Branch, Xicheng District, Beijing): It is located on Yangmei Zhuxi Street, Xicheng District, close to the Qianmen area, and not far from the security gate of Tiananmen Square. The hotel rooms are clean and tidy, with complete infrastructure and affordable prices. It is suitable for tourists with limited budgets. You don't have to spend too much commuting time to get up early to raise the flag.
•99 Preferred Hotel (No. 12 A, Qianmen East Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing): It is located on Qianmen East Street, very close to Tiananmen Square, and it can be reached on foot for a few minutes. The hotel is mainly economical and practical, meeting the basic needs of accommodation. It is a worry-free choice for tourists who just want to watch the flag-raising.
VIII. Security check and preparation of items
• Prohibited items: lighters, power banks, selfie sticks, drones, knives, liquids (except for unopened bottled water), large food, etc. are absolutely prohibited.
• Must-bring items: the original ID card is the core, and you can also bring folding stools (to relieve fatigue of standing for a long time), unopened bottled water, and a small amount of high-energy snacks; bring down jackets and warm babies in winter, and sunscreen clothes in summer.
• Security check skills: The elderly, the disabled, and families with children can take special channels; non-transparent mobile phone cases need to be taken off when passing through the security check, and prepare the documents in advance to avoid delaying time.
IX. Etiquette and other notes
• When the national anthem is played, you should stand up and pay attention, be quiet, don't laugh and make noise, and don't use the flash when taking photos.
• Don't trust the "paid flag-raising" yellowters. The whole appointment is free.
• If you want to visit the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and the National Museum after the ceremony, you need to make an appointment separately. It is recommended to go out of the square to visit directly to avoid the second security check queue.