Chairman Mao Memorial Hall

Lonely Planet review

An obligatory place of pilgrimage for China's proletariat and a must-see for those breezing around Tiananmen Square, this mausoleum should not be missed. Mao Zedong died in September 1976, and his mausoleum was constructed shortly thereafter on the site of Zhonghua Gate. Easy as it now is to vilify his excesses, many Chinese still show deep respect when confronted with the physical presence of the man.

The Great Helmsman's mummified corpse lies in a crystal cabinet, draped in an anachronistic red flag emblazoned with hammer and sickle as guards in white gloves impatiently wave the hoi-polloi on towards further rooms, where a riot of Mao kitsch - lighters, bracelets, statues, key rings, bottle openers, you name it - ensues. Don't expect to stumble upon Jung Chang signing copies of her Mao, the Unknown Story . At certain times of the year the body requires maintenance and is not on view. Bags need to be deposited at the building east of the memorial hall across the road from Tiananmen Square (if you leave your camera in your bag you will be charged for it).