Flag-raising Ceremony
Every morning before sunrise a very important ceremony is held on Tiananmen Square: the Flag-raising ceremony. When the ceremony starts, a group of guards of honour (composed of military soldiers) will march out of the Gate of Heavenly Peace (the prior entrance to the Imperial City) and raise the flag in the northern end of Tian'an men Square. The ceremony lasts about 10-15 minutes, but attracts numerous visitors every morning, especially during important holidays and festivals, such as May 1st (International Labor day), Oct 1st (National day), New year, and China 's New Year.

 
Tour Schedule:
Hotel pick-up 30 minutes ahead of the Flag-raising Ceremony by our tour guide & private car/van and go to Tiananmen Square. After viewing the ceremony, you will be free to wander Tiananmen Square -the largest square in the world. You will visit the Chairman Mao's Mausoleum (if accessible) and Ming City Wall Relic Park. We will provide transportation back to your hotel.
Note: For political reasons, Chairman Mao's Mausoleum can close to the public without prior notice. If this occurs, we will arrange a park or garden tour to substitute this site. In addition, please dress appropriately (Long pants, sleeved shirt) when visiting Chairman Mao's Mausoleum. Those wearing shorts or slippers are not allowed to enter the building. Bags and cameras are not allowed to be taken inside, you may leave them with your guide.

Tour Includes:  
Private English-speaking tour guide              
Private car/van
Entrance fees to the Park
Free-bottled mineral water

Tour Excludes:
Tips to the guide and driver (optional)
Personal expenses
Other fee not mentioned above

Kind Notices:
Most Chinese people are kind and warm-hearted; please feel free to talk with them. Some of them even can communicate in English.
Feel free to take pictures on the square, but it's prohibited to take photos of or with the soldiers. No cameras are allowed into the Mausoleum.

Timetable of the Flag-raising Ceremony
Month           Time                    Month            Time  
Jan         7:36AM-7:24AM           July             4:50AM-5:12AM
Feb        7:23AM-6:30AM           Aug             5:13AM-5:41AM
Mar        6:48AM-6:01AM           Sep             5:42AM-6:09AM
Apr         5:59 AM-5:17AM          Oct              6:10AM-6:42AM
May        5:15AM-4:48AM           Nov             6:43AM-7:15AM
June       4:48AM-4:49AM           Dec             7:16AM-7:36AM