Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao (Maozhuxi Jinian Tang) in Beijing

Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao (Maozhuxi Jinian Tang) in Beijing

Allegedly built in just six months by the Chinese people in a show of dedication to their deceased leader (in defiance of his wish to be cremated), the Memorial Hall contains the embalmed body of Chairman Mao in a crystal coffin which is raised and lowered from an underground freezer every day.
English Name: Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao (Maozhuxi Jinian Tang) in Beijing
Chinese Name: 毛泽东纪念堂
Ticket Price: Free
Best Time: All year around
Recommended Visiting Hours: 1 hour
Location: Tiananmen Square, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China

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Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao

Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, also known as the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, houses the embalmed body of the revolutionary and dictator who was the founding father of the People’s Republic of China. The Soviet-style structure and the sculptures in front of it are one of the dominant features of Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.

Introduction of Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao

Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao aka Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, Mao Mausoleum and Maozhuxi Jinian Tang in Chinese, is the resting place of Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China from 1943 and the chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China from 1945 until his death in 1976. Located to the east of Tiananmen Square, north of the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall rests on the site of former Gate of China (Zhonghuamen). The foundation of the building was laid in November 1976 while the inauguration ceremony was held on September 1977. Chairman Mao Memorial Hall covers an area of 57.2 thousand square meters, 220m from east to west and 280m from south to north. Above the main gate of the mausoleum, a white marble plaque with golden words: “Chairman Mao Memorial Hall” was beset. Forty-four granite posts stand on the large burgundy granite base, holding the golden glazed double-eaved roof.

Allegedly built in just six months by the Chinese people in a show of dedication to their deceased leader (in defiance of his wish to be cremated), the Memorial Hall contains the embalmed body of Chairman Mao in a crystal coffin which is raised and lowered from an underground freezer every day.
A respectful, even holy atmosphere exists inside, with Chinese people buying plastic flowers to lay at the bottom of his statue and others praying. Visitors are allowed relatively close to the body, but unfortunately not for long before they need to shuffle away

How to get to Chairman Mao Memorial Hall

  1. By Bus:
    Take bus 2, 5, 120 or Sightseeing Bus Line 2 to Tiananmen Square East, you will see the hall.
    Take bus 1, 2, 52, 59, 82, 120, Sightseeing Bus Line 2, or Tourist Bus Line 2, and get off at Tiananmen East. And then walk west for 3 minutes and turn north. Walk for 3 more minutes, you will see it.
    Take bus 1, 5, 52, Sightseeing Bus Line 1, Sightseeing Bus Line 2 or Tourist Bus Line 2, and get off at Tiananmen West. After that, walk east for 2 minutes and turn south. Walk for 3 minutes to the hall.
  2. By Subway:
    Subway Line 1: get off at Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West Station, and Chairman Mao Memorial Hall is to the south.
    Subway Line 2: get off at Qianmen Station, and Chairman Mao Memorial Hall is to the north.

Travel Guide Accommodation in Beijing

Travel with China Dragon Tours(Top Recommended)

If you want to get rid of hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, you can book a private tour package which covers sightseeing dining and transfer from us. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you to Beijing with speed and convenience, and take care of all the details. You just need to focus on sightseeing.

Independent Travel (Recommended Hotel)

  • Jianguo Hotspring Hotel
    The Jianguo Hotspring Hotel, affiliated with Jinlong Building Co., Ltd., and managed by the BTG—Jianguo Hotel & Resorts Management Company is a four-star hotel located in the center of Beijing near Jianguomen. Famous historic sites, including the Forbidden City, Tian’anmen Square, the Beijing Ancient Observatory, the Ming Dynasty City Wall and Ruins Park are within a short walking distance from the hotel. The Jianguomen Metro stop and the Beijing Railway Station are close to the hotel.
  • Legendale Hotel Beijing
    Occupying a prime position in the heart of town, the 390-room Legendale Hotel is ideally located between old and new Beijing. The hotel is perfectly situated in between Beijing’s ancient cultural city centre and the modern hustle and bustle of the Central Business District (CBD).

Useful Visiting Tips

  • Bags and cameras must be checked in before entering, and it’s advisable to get there early.
  • Hours
    July & August: 7:00 – 11:00
    8:00 – 11:30 & 14:00 – 16:00 on Sep. 9 and Dec. 26
    Rest of the year: 8:00 – 12:00 from Tuesday to Sunday; closed on Mondays
  • Line up to enter the hall with valid certificates such as passports, Chinese ID cards and other ID documents.
  • Wear neat, delicate clothes and take off hat to pay respect; those wear vests and slippers will not be admitted.
  • Handbags, backpacks, cameras, video devices, cups and drinks, etc are not allowed to be taken in; please deposit them in the left luggage office first;
  • Please keep quiet. Turn off your phones or silence the ringer; do not chase about or make noises.
  • On Sep. 9 (the day Chairman Mao passed away), Dec. 26 (the birthday of Chairman Mao) and the Qingming Festival, there will be more visitors; so one need to get there earlier on those days.
  • The Hall is closed on special occasions. Notice the board around the Memorial Hall.

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Edited by  Lynette Fu/付云锐