Mao Zedong Mausoleum
The information contained here are subject to change. Chinese History Digest is not responsible or liable if any changes should occur.
Opening Hours
8am - noon
July - August: 7am - 11am
September 9th & December 26th: 8am-11.30am & 2pm-4pm
closed on Mondays
Entrance Ticket Prices
Free Admission
view of the Mao Zedong Mausoleum's entrance area on its south sideThe Mao Zedong Mausoleum (a.k.a. Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao) is where the embalmed body of Mao Zedong, the founder and former leader of the People's Republic of China, is on display to the public. It is located at the southern part of Tiananmen Square at the heart of Beijing. Since it is primarily open to the public in the morning, visitors might consider visiting the Mao Zedong Mausoleum first early on before moving on to visit the Tiananmen Gate, Forbidden City and Jingshan Park which are all located further north within walking distance.
Construction of the Mao Zedong Mausoleum started in November 1976, only a short time after China's Chairman Mao had died from a heart attack on the 9th of September 1976. Building materials from all over China were used during the construction process and 700,000 people performed symbolic voluntary labour. Construction proceeded at a record-breaking pace so that the building was already inaugurated in September 1977. Since then, Mao's embalmed body is on display to the public there. Mao himself had actually wished for his body to be cremated.
group of revolutionary-themed clay figures depicting workers, peasants and soldiers on mausoleum's west sideThe monumental building measures 220 meters from west to east and 280 meters from north to south. Outside of it, visitors will see four groups of revolutionary-themed clay figures that were created by more than 100 different sculptors. Each one of these 62 clay figures is 3.5 meters tall. When approaching the main entrance of the mausoleum, a white marble plaque with gilded lettering can be seen high above. The six Chinese characters on it translate to "Chairman Mao Memorial Hall".
Chairman Mao's embalmed body inside the mausoleum's Memorial HallOnce inside the mausoleum, there are two floors to visit. A visit of the first floor starts with the North Great Hall. That is where people pay their respect in front of a 3.45-meter-tall marble statue of Mao Zedong. The 3.74-meter-wide mural painting "The Vast Homeland" fills up the space behind that statue. Next, visitors will enter the mausoleum's proper Memorial Hall at the center of the building. Inside that hall on a black granite base stands a crystal coffin that contains the embalmed body of Mao Zedong draped with a red flag of the Communist Party of China. The four sides of the black granite base are inlaid with three emblems (the CPC party emblem, the national emblem of the PRC and the emblem of the People's Liberation Army (PLA)) and two dates (Mao's birthday December 26th and day of passing September 9th). After exiting the Memorial Hall, visitors will pass through the South Great Hall which has a scripture of Mao engraved on its marble wall.
The second floor of the Mao Zedong Mausoleum contains six memorial rooms that are open to group visits. The rooms are dedicated to Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De, Deng Xiaoping and Chen Yun. A marble statue stands at the center of each memorial room and various photographs and literary works illustrate the life and work of each of these influential leaders. Finally, there is also a movie hall on the second floor that is screening a documentary about these six leaders.
Anyone that is planning to visit the Mao Zedong Mausoleum should be aware that it is a place of heightened security due to its symbolic nature. All visitors need a valid certificate such as a passport (for foreign visitors) or ID card (for Chinese visitors) to be allowed to enter. Furthermore, visitors must be clothed appropriately and behave respectfully at all times during their visit. Handbags, backpacks, cameras and video equipment as well as food and drink can't be brought inside and must be deposited at the left luggage office before entering.
view of the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao on Beijing's Tiananmen Square
How to get to the Mao Zedong Mausoleum in Beijing?
| Address: | Mao Zedong Mausoleum, Tiananmen Square, Dongcheng district, Beijing, China |
| Tel.Nr.: | +86 10 6513 2277 |
| Airport: | Beijing Nanyuan Airport (NAY), Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) |
| Train Station: | Beijing Railway Station, Beijing South Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, Beijing North Railway Station, Beijing East Railway Station, Qinghe Railway Station |
| Metro: | Tiananmen East Station - Subway Line 1 Tiananmen West Station - Subway Line 1 Qianmen Station - Subway Line 2 |
| Bus: | Tiananmen East Station (bus lines: 1, 2, 52, 59, 82, 120, Sightseeing Bus Line 2, Tourist Bus Line 2) - walk westward for 3 min, then walk north for 3 min; Tiananmen West Station (bus lines: 1, 5, 52, Sightseeing Bus Line 1, Sightseeing Bus Line 2, Tourist Bus Line 2) - walk eastward for 2 min, then walk south for 3 min; Tiananmen Square East (bus lines: 2, 5, 120, Sightseeing Bus Line 2) |
On the following Google map, you can see the location of the Mao Zedong Mausoleum (the blue icon of a person in prayer) and the Beijing Hotel NUO (the yellow hotel bed icon) which is our recommended hotel nearby. Further below on this page, you can read a review of this hotel's services and amenities. In case you are planning a trip to China, you could support this website by using the provided affiliate links to check prices and book your hotel accomodation!
You can book hotels in China with both of our affiliate partners Agoda and Trip.com. No matter whether you choose Agoda or Trip.com, you will find many offers on each of these platforms that will allow you to make a risk-free booking with the possibility of free cancellation until a clearly stated date and time, sometimes as late as on the intended date of arrival. However, some deals require prepayment and don't permit cancellation without fees. In that case, the incurred cancellation fees are clearly stated.
When following an Agoda link, the search results will show you prices, availability and special offers for your chosen dates with the recommended hotel in the top search position as well as for other hotels in the same area. Links to Trip.com will take you to the specific hotel webpage where you can then search for availability, prices and special deals with your chosen dates.
The provided information was thoroughly researched from various hotel booking websites. Chinese History Digest is not responsible if any information regarding the provided services and amenities might have changed.
Recommended Hotel near Beijing's Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao
The Beijing Hotel NUO that is reviewed below is one of the closest 5-star hotels to the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao in Beijing. In addition to the links to Agoda that are used in the review below, this 5-star hotel is also available for booking on Trip.com by following this link.
Beijing Hotel NUO
The Beijing Hotel NUO is a 5-star hotel that occupies Block B (built in 1917) of the historic Beijing Hotel. With its classic architecture that attracts attention with its grand colonnade façade, broad marble staircase and interior features such as period-styled rooms and polished 1920s dance floor, this hotel attracts travellers from all over the world that want to experience its mixture of old-world charm and modern comforts (last hotel renovation was in 2006). When it comes to location-related advantages, there is no better place to stay in Beijing than at the Hotel NUO. It is located right at the heart of the city just a short walk away from Tiananmen Square and the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao and also within close walking distance of the famous Wangfujing Street (famous for shopping and eating). What's more, access to the neighborhoods around the hotel is greatly facilitated by the availability of a free shuttle service and the closest subway station (Wangfujing Station) is nearby as well. Of course, the hotel also arranges transportation to and from the airport (for an extra fee of 750 yuan) and guests can request to book that service in advance when making their room reservation online. Travel time between the hotel and the closest airport - Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) - is typically about 50 minutes.
All rooms of the Beijing Hotel NUO are air-conditioned and contain a refrigerator, minibar and safe. Free bottled water is provided. Guests have free internet access through Wi-Fi and LAN cable. In addition to standard rooms, the hotel also has family rooms and suites (incl. a bridal suite). Smoking is only allowed in certain designated areas of the hotel (so not inside the rooms)! Laundry service (including dry cleaning) and luggage storage are available. There are three restaurants on-site (plus a bar and a coffee shop) where award-winning chefs prepare gourmet food in a variety of different cuisines. Guests also have manifold choices regarding which type of breakfast they prefer (American, Asian, Continental, Vegan, Buffet). Most room rates include breakfast which can also be purchased separately for 178 yuan if not included. To keep in shape, guests can exercise at the hotel's modern fitness center with its state-of-the-art exercise equipment and enjoy themselves at the hotel's indoor swimming pool.
0.3 miles away
Check availability & prices!
