Monument to the People’s Heroes

The Basics

Many Tiananmen Square tours stop briefly at the Monument to the People’s Heroes, as they do at Chairman Mao Memorial Hall to the south. A guide can explain the reliefs, which depict a series of uprisings and struggles along the journey to communism in China.

Tiananmen Square is Beijing’s political and spiritual center, so the vast majority of tours visit here. Tours typically also include the Forbidden City, behind the Gate of Heavenly Peace at the north of the square. Entrance to both the square and the monument is free.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Monument to the People’s Heroes will be of interest to fans of Chinese history.

• Wear comfortable shoes on any visit to Tiananmen Square. It’s 109 acres (44 hectares).

• Security checks are required to enter Tiananmen Square.

• Tiananmen Square is flat and smooth, but the Monument to the People’s Heroes is accessed by steps.

How to Get There

The Monument to the People’s Heroes stands at the heart of Tiananmen Square, just to the north of Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and a little to the south of the Gate of Heavenly Peace. Catch the subway to Qianmen (line 2) or Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West (both line 1).

When to Get There

Like the rest of Tiananmen Square, the Monument to the People’s Heroes is open from morning to midnight, all year round. It’s particularly attractive when illuminated at night. On October 1, China’s National Day, Tiananmen Square hosts huge and elaborate celebrations. The period following this, called Golden Week, is an extremely busy time in downtown Beijing.

What to See on Tiananmen Square

One of the world’s largest public squares, Tiananmen Square is the focal point of China. Besides the Monument to the People’s Heroes, it’s home to the enormous National Museum of China; the historic Gate of Heavenly Peace; the Great Hall of the People, the seat of China’s legislature; and Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, where the founder of modern China rests.