China Central Radio and Television Tower (CCTV Tower) in Beijing

The Central Radio & TV Tower (中央广播电视塔) is located at No. 11 West Third Ring Middle Road in Haidian District, Beijing, directly beside Yuyuantan Park. A National 4A-rated Tourist Attraction, the tower stands 405 meters tall and was completed in 1994. It serves both as a broadcasting and television signal transmission facility and a popular urban observation landmark, making it one of the most distinctive skyscrapers in western Beijing.

The tower has a distinctive silhouette, with a broad base that gradually narrows upward. Its upper section features several flying-saucer-shaped observation levels, while illuminated lighting makes the tower particularly conspicuous along West Third Ring Road at night. As one of the few places in Beijing offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the city from a great height, the tower provides views extending as far as the Western Hills on clear days. From the upper levels, visitors can also see famous landmarks such as the Forbidden City, Jingshan, the Bird's Nest, the CBD skyline, and the Summer Palace. Inside the tower are an observation platform, a television culture exhibition hall, a high-altitude post office, and a revolving restaurant, bringing together city sightseeing, broadcasting and television education, leisure, and dining.

Main Highlights

238-Meter Open-Air Circular Observation Platform

The 238-meter open-air circular observation platform is the tower's main attraction and one of Beijing's major high-altitude outdoor viewing platforms. The circular deck offers unobstructed panoramic views and is equipped with free high-powered binoculars, while professional telescopes are also available for rent.

Looking east, visitors can see Yuyuantan Park, the Forbidden City, the National Centre for the Performing Arts, and the skyscrapers of the Guomao CBD area. To the north are the Olympic Tower, the Bird's Nest, and the Water Cube, while the Western Hills and the Summer Palace can be seen to the northwest. Around sunset, the fading sunlight spreads across Beijing's skyline, and after dark the city's lights gradually illuminate the entire panorama, making this an excellent location for photographing Beijing's cityscape and nighttime skyline. The platform is protected by safety railings, but strong winds can make it feel considerably colder than at ground level.

225-Meter Television Culture Hall

The Television Culture Hall features a permanent exhibition dedicated to the development of broadcasting and television in China. Displays include vintage cameras, film reels, old television sets, archival materials from classic programs, and interactive exhibits such as hand molds of famous television presenters. Visitors can also learn about the history of China's broadcasting industry as well as the basic principles behind television production and signal transmission, making this section particularly interesting for those interested in media and broadcasting culture.

219-Meter Capital Impression Exhibition Hall

The Capital Impression Exhibition Hall presents Beijing's historical development and changing urban landscape through sculptures, old photographs, multimedia displays, and other exhibits. It provides visitors with a useful introduction to Beijing's urban structure, famous landmarks, and traditional customs, helping them better understand how the capital has evolved over time.

High-Altitude Post Office and Cultural Products

The tower has an atmospheric high-altitude post office where visitors can send postcards and have them stamped with a special commemorative postmark from the Central Radio & TV Tower. This makes for a particularly memorable souvenir and is one of the tower's popular visitor experiences. The cultural and creative shop also sells Central Radio & TV Tower-themed ornaments, badges, and other souvenirs.

221-Meter Revolving Restaurant

The tower's signature revolving buffet restaurant slowly rotates at a steady speed, allowing diners to enjoy uninterrupted 360-degree views of Beijing throughout their meal. The ceiling is decorated with the twelve zodiac constellations, adding to the atmosphere. The restaurant meal ticket includes admission to the observation levels, making it a good choice for visitors who want to combine sightseeing with lunch or dinner. Lunch and dinner prices differ and require separate reservations.

Practical Information

Opening hours: 08:30–22:00, with the last admission at 21:30. Allow around 1.5–2 hours for a standard visit. If you plan to stay for sunset and the nighttime skyline, around 3 hours is recommended.

Admission: Adult sightseeing ticket: RMB 90. Students receive discounted admission with a valid student ID. Visitors aged 60 and above pay RMB 50. Children between 1.2 and 1.4 meters tall pay RMB 45, while children under 1.2 meters enter free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets for the revolving restaurant include tower admission; lunch and dinner prices differ and must be booked separately.

Reservation: Purchase real-name tickets through the official WeChat account or an authorized online ticketing platform. Visitors must present their ID card for verification when entering the tower.

How to Get There

1. By Subway: Take Line 10 to Xidiaoyutai Station and leave through Exit C, followed by a walk of approximately 10 minutes. Alternatively, take Line 1 to Gongzhufen Station and walk north toward Bayi Lake (八一湖), which takes around 15 minutes.
2. By Bus: Take Bus Routes 40, 64, 374, 394, 624, or 658 and get off at Hangtianqiao South Station. The tower is about 500 meters from the bus stop.
3. By Car: The attraction has its own parking lot, but spaces are limited and parking is charged. West Third Ring Road can become heavily congested during peak hours, so public transportation is generally recommended.

Recommended Visiting Route

Enter through the main gate and complete the security check → take the high-speed sightseeing elevator directly to the 238-meter open-air observation platform for panoramic city views and sunset photography → descend to the 225-meter Television Culture Hall to explore the broadcasting and television exhibition → visit the 219-meter Capital Impression Exhibition Hall → stop at the high-altitude post office to send a postcard and browse the cultural and creative shop → optionally dine at the revolving restaurant → take the elevator back down and leave the tower.

Suggested combination: Yuyuantan Park is directly beside the tower, making it easy to combine the two into a one-day visit. The Diaoyutai State Guesthouse (钓鱼台国宾馆) and Capital Museum (首都博物馆) are also relatively close, making them suitable additions to a western Beijing cultural sightseeing route.

Food and Nearby Attractions

Besides the revolving buffet restaurant, the tower's ground-floor lobby has simple food and beverage outlets. More dining options can be found around the Gongzhufen and Hangtianqiao commercial areas, where visitors can choose from Chinese restaurants, casual dining, and fast-food establishments. Yuyuantan Park also has small convenience stalls and simple food outlets.

Travel Tips

1. Weather is extremely important. Haze and overcast conditions can severely reduce visibility, making it difficult or impossible to see distant landmarks. Check the weather forecast before visiting. The open-air observation platform may also be temporarily closed during strong winds.
2. Prepare for cooler conditions at the top. The observation platform is exposed to strong winds and can feel much colder than ground level. Even in summer, bringing a light jacket is recommended. The platform surface can also be slippery, so wear shoes with good grip.
3. Best time to visit: Enter about one hour before sunset. This allows you to experience the city in daylight, watch the transition into the blue hour, and then enjoy Beijing's illuminated nighttime skyline in a single visit. The observation platform can become crowded around sunset on weekends and public holidays, and queues may form.
4. Photography: Photography is permitted on the open-air observation platform, but keep a firm hold of phones and cameras to prevent them from falling from the height. Flash photography is prohibited for exhibits inside the exhibition halls.
5. Elevator precautions: The high-speed sightseeing elevator travels quickly, and some visitors may experience temporary ear pressure or discomfort during the ascent. Swallowing or gently moving the jaw can help relieve the pressure.