How to Book Tiananmen Square and Free Beijing Attractions as a Foreigner Without a Chinese Phone Number (2026)

Short answer: Tiananmen Square is free, but you need a real-name reservation. The official web portal does not support registering with a non-Chinese phone number. Use the “Tian’anmen Square Reservation” WeChat mini program under “Personal Reservation”. If you can’t use WeChat, an authorized person can book for you.

Before you start

• Your passport. Overseas visitors can reserve with an entry passport or a foreigner residence permit. Use the same document you will carry on the day.
• Your name, your identity document number and a phone number. The reservation asks for all three.
• WeChat on your phone, with internet access in China. Install “WeChat” (publisher Tencent) from the App Store or Google Play. No data yet? See our guide on getting online in China.
• No payment app is needed. The square is free.
• Time. Individual reservations are made a few days ahead. The September 2026 notice from the Tian’anmen Area Management Committee says 1–7 days, while the earlier rules allowed up to 10. Check the mini program for the dates it currently shows.

Step by step

1. Open the official reservation platform: Tian’anmen Square reservation service platform. Note that the web portal does not support non-Chinese phone number registration.
2. Open WeChat and search for the mini program by its Chinese name, 天安门广场预约参观. Its English display name may vary, so copy the Chinese into the search box. Choose “Personal Reservation” (个人预约).
3. Pick your date and session. The sessions are morning, afternoon, flag-raising and flag-lowering. Flag-raising is a separate session that you select when booking, so choose it if that is what you want to see.
4. Enter your name and identity document number exactly as printed in your passport (or foreigner residence permit), plus your phone number. Whether a foreign number with a country code receives the verification code is not confirmed by the official notices. If it fails, ask an authorized person to book for you.
5. Save the valid reservation document. You must show it for on-site verification.
6. On the day, bring the same passport and the reservation document to the entrance. Everyone passes a security check. The authorities advise bringing no bag or only a small one to speed this up. Expect a queue at busy times, and don’t count on English signs.

Can’t use WeChat? An authorized person can make the reservation for you. Don’t use agencies or resellers that are not the official platform.

Quick checklist for the day

• Original passport, the same one you booked with.
• The saved reservation document, ready on your phone. Screenshot it in case the signal is weak.
• Your phone charged.
• No bag, or a small one.
• Time to spare for the on-site verification.

Skip the separate square booking

A successful reservation for certain designated sites, such as the National Museum of China, can also let you enter the square during the morning or afternoon session. In that case you don’t need a separate square reservation. Check the official platform for the current list of designated sites.

Other free attractions in Beijing

Rules differ by sight. Some are free, some need a reservation, and some sell tickets through their own system. For a paid example, see our Forbidden City tickets guide. Check before you go how each sight you want is booked.

Planning the rest of your trip? These guides help too:

• Getting online in China, so WeChat works when you need to book.
• Forbidden City tickets, which sits just north of the square and is booked separately.

If it doesn’t work

Problem	Why	Fix
Can’t register on the web portal	It does not support non-Chinese phone numbers	Use the “Tian’anmen Square Reservation” WeChat mini program, “Personal Reservation”
Can’t use WeChat	No account or no access	Ask an authorized person to book for you
No slots left	Slots are limited	Check other dates within the booking window, or check the official platform again later
Page only in Chinese	Not every official page has English	Use your phone’s built-in translation, and enter your details exactly as in your passport
Name or number rejected	Details don’t match the document	Re-enter them exactly as printed in your passport

FAQ

Can I book Tiananmen Square without a Chinese phone number?

Not on the official web portal, which does not support non-Chinese phone number registration. Use the “Tian’anmen Square Reservation” WeChat mini program under “Personal Reservation”. Or ask an authorized person to book for you.

Is Tiananmen Square free?

Yes. It is free, but needs a real-name reservation. The exception: a valid reservation for certain designated sites can serve for square entry during morning or afternoon sessions.

Do I need to book before I arrive in Beijing?

Individual reservations open only a few days ahead (1–7 days in the latest notice). Plan to book once you are within that window.

Can I use my passport?

Yes. Overseas visitors can reserve with an entry passport or a foreigner residence permit. Bring the valid reservation document for on-site verification.

Can I book for my family or travel companions?

Yes, to a limit. Under the published rules, one individual reservation covers up to 7 people, with no more than 4 adults. Enter each adult’s name and passport number exactly as printed. Children aged 6 or under, or 1.2 m or shorter, don’t need their details entered, but you must state how many there are.

Do I need a reservation if I only walk past the square?

No, not for passing along the edge. Under the published rules, people walking on the Chang’an Avenue section between the south entrances of Nanchizi and Nanchangjie, or on the east pedestrian path of the square, are not covered by the reservation requirement. They still go through security screening.

Still stuck?

Do it yourself with the steps above — or get help from a real person.

Sources: Tian’anmen Square reservation service platform; Tian’anmen Area Management Committee notice; Tian’anmen Area Management Committee notice, Sept 2026; Beijing 12345 hotline FAQ. Some links are affiliate links — see our disclosure.