Beijing: National Museum & Tiananmen Square Timed Entry

1.43 Million Artifacts in One Morning: National Museum of China's Real Scale

You get timed entry to the National Museum of China's seven floors and 1.43 million artifacts, including the Shang Dynasty Houmuwu Cauldron and Hongshan Jade Dragon, plus access to Tiananmen Square using the same QR code. The reserved time slot eliminates the entry queue, and the metro connection from Tiananmen East station takes five minutes on foot. Bring your passport and arrive during your assigned window.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit National Museum and Tiananmen Square

• Present passport and ticket QR code
• Enter National Museum via North Gate
• Explore Ancient China Gallery on B1 floor
• Visit special exhibitions on B2 floor
• See ancient Chinese paintings on 3rd floor
• Exit museum and stroll Tiananmen Square

The experience

You're standing in front of something you didn't quite expect to fit into a single visit. The National Museum of China spreads across seven floors, and the numbers alone, 1.43 million artifacts, don't land until you're actually inside, walking past the Houmuwu Cauldron from the Shang Dynasty or the Jade Dragon of Hongshan Culture. The timed entry system (9:00–11:00, 11:00–13:30, or 13:30–16:00) means you're not fighting crowds, and you enter through the North Gate during your reserved slot. The metro gets you there in minutes: Line 1 to Tiananmen East, exit C or D, then a five-minute walk.

The core galleries live on B1, where Ancient China unfolds in front of you: bronzes, jade, the weight of dynasties in glass cases. B2 holds rotating exhibitions and a transparent conservation lab where you can actually watch restoration work happen. If you're into painting, the 3rd floor pulls together ancient Chinese works in a way that makes the progression visible. You move through this at your own pace. There's no guide narration, no group shuffle. It's just you, the artifacts, and the scale of what you're looking at. After the museum closes around you, the same QR code gets you into Tiananmen Square. The sequence matters, museum first, then the square.

The practical part: bring your original passport (the one you used to book), have your QR code ready on your phone, and know that entry stops at 16:00 even if the museum stays open until 17:00. Wheelchair access runs through all seven floors and surfaces. Families with strollers move through without issue. The museum is closed Mondays, so plan around that. If you're a Chinese citizen or hold a Chinese passport, you'll need to book separately through their system. This ticket is for foreign visitors only.

What’s included

• Your visit includes timed entry to the National Museum of China with reserved access through the North Gate during your chosen slot, plus access to Tiananmen Square using the same QR code.
• Entry to all seven floors, the Ancient China Gallery on B1, rotating special exhibitions and the transparent conservation lab on B2, and the ancient painting collections on the 3rd floor are covered.
• You visit the museum first, then move to Tiananmen Square afterward using your QR code.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDepartures at 09:00, 11:00 and 13:30

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Travel China Guide

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the National Museum of China's major collections without arriving early for the entry line: the timed slot removes that step and lets you move through seven floors at your own pace, then walk directly into Tiananmen Square afterward using the same ticket.

Traveler reviews

4.00★★★★★★★★★★

4 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What time slots are available for entry?

Three slots daily: 9:00–11:00, 11:00–13:30, and 13:30–16:00. Last entry is at 16:00.

Do I need to visit the museum before Tiananmen Square?

Yes. The QR code works for both, but you must visit the National Museum of China first, then Tiananmen Square.

What do I need to bring on the day?

Your original passport (the one used for booking) and your QR code ticket. Reference numbers and barcodes alone are not valid for entry.

How do I get to the North Gate?

Take Beijing Metro Line 1 to Tiananmen East station, exit C or D, then walk about 5 minutes to the North Gate.

Is the museum accessible for wheelchairs and strollers?

Yes. All seven floors, areas, and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. Strollers and prams are permitted.

When is the museum closed?

Mondays. Hours are 9:00–17:00 Tuesday through Sunday.

Can Chinese citizens book this ticket?

No. This product is exclusively for foreign visitors. Chinese ID or passport holders must book independently.

How many artifacts are in the museum?

1.43 million artifacts across seven floors, with the core Ancient China galleries on B1.