Great Hall of the People, Beijing, China

Visit duration: 1 hour Editorial visit time estimate

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

About Great Hall of the People

The Great Hall of the People is a state building on the west side of Tiananmen Square, used for legislative and ceremonial activities by the government of China. The National People's Congress holds its full sessions here every March. Opened in 1959, it was built in 10 months by 7,785 workers. The building has 171,801 square metres of floor space and is 356 metres long and 206.5 metres wide; the national emblem of the People's Republic hangs at the eaves of the main gate.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

What's inside

The central section holds the Great Auditorium, the Congress Hall, the Central Hall, the Golden Hall and other main halls; the Central Hall alone covers 3,600 square metres. The Great Auditorium seats 3,693 on the lower floor, 3,515 in the balcony and 2,518 in the gallery, with 300 to 500 more on the dais. Halls named after China's provinces are each furnished in the local style. The building and the Great Auditorium are open to the public as a tourist attraction when they are not in use for meetings.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

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Common questions

Can you visit the Great Hall of the People?

Yes, the building and the Great Auditorium open to the public when they are not in use for meetings.

Where it is

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Nearby

Within 5 min on foot

1 hour
5 min walk
National Centre for the Performing Arts
- Must see
- Art and culture venue
45 min
5 min walk
Monument to the People's Heroes
- Must see · Heritage site
- Historic site
45 min
5 min walk
Tiananmen Square
- Must see
- Historic site