Qianmen Street at a glance
Qianmen Street is a pedestrian shopping street about 840 m long. It runs from Yueliangwan Park in the north to Tianqiao South Street in the south, with traditional brands, restaurants, clothing shops and souvenir stalls along the way. The street begins at the historic Zhengyangmen gate. The Temple of Heaven park lies outside the gate to the east, which is why the two pair so well.
West of the main street is Dashilan, a lane of shops about 275 m long. Together they make up a commercial district south of Tiananmen Square. If you would rather have the street built into a guided day, look at the Beijing city tours that combine Qianmen with the Temple of Heaven.
What to do on Qianmen Street
The street works best as a slow walk with a meal in the middle.
Walk the main street
Traditional brands, restaurants, clothing and souvenir shops line the pedestrian street. Walk the full length and stop for a meal in the middle.
Turn into Dashilan
The Dashilan lane runs east to west and is a separate shopping lane off the main street. It is about 100 m south of Qianmen metro station on Line 2, so the metro gets you to the door.
Look up at the gate
The Zhengyangmen gate tower is the large historic gate at the end of the street. A separate arrow tower stands next to it.
For a wider look at old Beijing, the hutong lanes and the central axis make good additions. Details on the palace to the north are in the Forbidden City guide.
Our pick: Qianmen Street at night
An evening walk with noodles, a good follow-up to a day at the temple.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Beijing city tours and Temple of Heaven day trips
City tours that include Qianmen and the Temple of Heaven, with live prices and availability.
The Zhengyangmen gate tower: reopened 27 July 2026
The Zhengyangmen gate tower reopened to visitors on 27 July 2026. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00 and closed on Mondays, except on public holidays. Admission is CNY 20 per person (2026).
Tickets are sold through the WeChat account 北京中轴线遗产保护中心 (Beijing Central Axis Heritage Protection Center). New tickets are released daily at 17:00. Entry is through the west entrance after a security check.
Two limits are worth knowing. The ticket does not combine with a Temple of Heaven ticket, and the reopening applies to the gate tower, not to the whole shopping street. The separate arrow tower next to it has its own arrangements, so do not assume the same hours or price there.
Pairing Qianmen with the Temple of Heaven
Visit the Temple of Heaven first, while the park and halls are open, and use Qianmen as a second stop. The halls open at 08:00 and close on Mondays, and the gate tower is also closed on Mondays, so a Tuesday to Sunday suits both.
From the East Gate of the Temple of Heaven, a footbridge leads to the Hongqiao market, known for pearls and accessories. Treat it as a browsing stop and compare before you buy. For walking times between Qianmen and a specific park gate, use a map app on the day. The Temple of Heaven tickets page explains booking with a passport.
Where to start by metro
Gates and stations for a Temple of Heaven and Qianmen day.
| Start | Metro | Exit or note |
|---|---|---|
| Temple of Heaven East Gate | Line 5, Tiantandongmen station | Exit A |
| Temple of Heaven West Gate | Line 8, Tianqiao station | Exit C |
| Qianmen and Dashilan | Line 2, Qianmen station | Dashilan is about 100 m south of the station |
Metro fares in Beijing start at CNY 3 for trips up to 6 km and rise with distance, so a ride between these stops is cheap. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards can be used at suitable metro gates, but acceptance varies, so keep another way to pay. The WeChat and Alipay apps can also be registered with a foreign phone number and linked to supported foreign bank cards. Verification, limits and fees depend on the provider.
For most visitors, the best order is the Temple of Heaven in the morning, then Qianmen for lunch and a walk, and the gate tower in the afternoon on a day from Tuesday to Sunday. More route details are on the getting there page.
Keep exploring
More for a day around the old city.
Qianmen Street: frequently asked questions
How long is Qianmen Street?
About 840 m, from Yueliangwan Park in the north to Tianqiao South Street in the south.
Is the Zhengyangmen gate tower open?
Yes. It reopened on 27 July 2026. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00, closed on Mondays except on public holidays, and costs CNY 20 per person.
How do I buy tickets for the gate tower?
Through the WeChat account 北京中轴线遗产保护中心. Tickets are released daily at 17:00, and entry is through the west entrance after a security check.
What is Dashilan?
A lane of shops about 275 m long, west of Qianmen Street. It is part of the commercial district south of Tiananmen Square, about 100 m south of Qianmen metro station on Line 2.
Can I combine Qianmen and the Temple of Heaven in one day?
Yes. Visit the Temple of Heaven first, then go to Qianmen. Choose a day from Tuesday to Sunday, because the Temple of Heaven halls and the gate tower are closed on Mondays.