Chairman Mao's Mausoleum 毛主席纪念堂

Famous and historic mausoleum in memory of China's favourite leader
Word to the wise: Don't forget to leave your bag and camera in the storage facility centre east of the mausoleum, otherwise you will just get sent back at the entrance.

After Chairman Mao's death, construction immediately began on this mausoleum, which stands in the middle of Tiananmen Square where he once proclaimed the independence of the People's Republic.
Visitors form a long queue to glimpse Chairman Mao's body. There are a number of rumours surrounding the embalmed corpse - everything from it supposedly being a wax doll to the ears and nose having fallen off and sewn back on. Whatever the case, it is a surreal feeling to behold the body of the man who influenced the lives of the Chinese people more than anyone else and changed the course of history.

Bags and cameras are checked in for a nominal fee, assessed according to weight.