Key info 天安门+ 故宫Beijing - WeChat Mini Prog
WeChat Mini Program Guide (Tiananmen & Forbidden City) for both, need real-name verification.
Tiananmen Square Forbidden City
Reservation slots & best times:
Forbidden City often sells out 3–5 days ahead during holidays.
If you’re going to Beijing, don’t make my mistake — you can’t just walk into Tiananmen Square or the Forbidden City.
You must reserve your slot through their official WeChat mini programs using your passport.
Reservation required for:
Tiananmen Square (天安门广场)
Mausoleum of Mao Zedong (毛主席纪念堂)
Forbidden City / Palace Museum (故宫博物院)
Slots open only 7 days in advance.
If you’re traveling during China’s summer break or holidays, they sell out within hours, especially for Mao Zedong’s mausoleum.
Passport is required for foreigners. Locals use their IC (身份证) for verification, but we need to input our passport number during booking and bring it along for entry.
Step-by-Step Booking Guide:
Step 1: Open WeChat, tap the search bar.
Step 2: Type “天安门广场预约” (Tiananmen Reservation) or “故宫博物院预约” (Forbidden City Reservation).
Step 3: Tap the official mini-program (it’ll have a government logo).
Step 4: Register your name + passport number.
Step 5: Choose your date & time slot.
Tiananmen has 4 daily slots:
4am–8am (for flag raising); 8am–12pm; 12pm–4pm; 4pm–8pm (for flag descent)
Step 6: Pay online if required
Keep checking the app daily — slots reopen occasionally if someone cancels. Bring your passport physically; the QR code alone won’t work. Go early. Security check + crowd control lines can take up to 1–2 hours under the sun.
For the Mausoleum, only morning slots are available, and no bags or cameras allowed inside. Need to put your bag at the bag storage across the street if you are going in.
I booked the 8am–12pm Tiananmen slot, but with traffic delays and crowd control, I reached around 10am, but only entered at 11:58am. I was so afraid that my morning entry pass will be cancelled due to the long queue. It was filled with uncertainty given those circumstances. It was still scorching, everyone was with umbrellas.I saw someone fainted from heatstroke, and queues were snaking everywhere.
Would I do it again? Yes 🙂↕️— once. The history and scale are incredible.
But definitely, book and plan early.A must to bring a portable fan. Beijing crowds are on another level 😅
#TravelGuide #beijingtravel #china #forbiddencity #tiananmen
Besides the booking tips shared, it's important to remember that the reservation system only opens slots 7 days before your intended visit date, so setting reminders will help secure your spot for busy holiday periods. For foreigners, carrying your passport physically when you visit is essential since the QR code alone won't gain you entry. If you plan to visit the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, note that no bags or cameras are allowed inside. There is a bag storage facility across the street where you can leave your belongings. Arriving early is crucial, as security checks and crowd control can add up to 1–2 hours of waiting under the sun—bringing a portable fan or an umbrella can make a huge difference. From my own experience booking the 8am–12pm slot, arriving late due to traffic and queues nearly caused me to miss my entry window. The scene was hot and crowded, with many visitors fainting from heatstroke. Despite the challenges, witnessing these historical sites was well worth the effort once inside. Additionally, keep checking the WeChat mini program regularly. Slots sometimes reopen when other visitors cancel, so persistence pays off. Overall, advanced planning, early bookings, and preparing for long waits will make your visit to these iconic Beijing landmarks smoother and more enjoyable.
