How to visit CCTV Tower in Beijing

Constructed in 1992, CCTV Tower (Central Radio & TV Tower) is the second tallest structure in Beijing with the height of 405 meters including the tip of its antenna, the third in China and the sixth in the world. It is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers.

Now the Central Television Tower has been turned into a modern and advanced structure with comprehensive functions like transmitting radio signals and TV programs, tourism, restaurant and recreation.

As a visitor, what do you expect from the tower and how to visit this tallest tower in Beijing?

Tip 01: CCTV Tower Tour Itinerary

First you buy the entrance ticket at the ticket office by the tower. After going through security check, enter the main entrance in the middle of the tower seat. Inside the base hall, you have your ticket checked.

The 22nd floor

A pretty CCTV Tower tour guide will escort you and other visitors. First take elevator directly to the 22nd floor with a height of 238 meters.

The 22nd floor is an open air observation deck, which is said to the largest in the world. You can enjoy the whole view of Beijing.

If you are lucky to have a beautiful day, you are able to see the new CCTV headquarters at a height of 230, designed by Rem Koolhaas in late 2009 and located in the new Central Business District east of Beijing.

On the 19th Floor

The 225-meter High “TV Culture Hall” on the 19th Floor

Then your tour guide will accompany you to the 19th floor – “TV Culture Hall”. The hall is a place connecting audiences to CCTV’s past and present.

In the hall, you are immersed in the development of CCTV culture and have a close interaction with CCTV. Get some basic knowledge about the history and development of CCTV. This floor is actually an indoor observation hall, from which you also have bird’s-eye view of Beijing.

On the 18th Floor

The 221-meter High Rotating Restaurant on the 18th Floor

If you prefer a romantic buffet on the tower, you just walk down from the 19th floor to the 18th floor – a revolving restaurant, where you can enjoy the rich and mixed buffet of Chinese, Western & Japanese style. One cycle rotating takes 80 minutes.

After lunch or dinner, or you just skip the buffet, go down by elevator to the “culture corridor” 6-meter high above the TV tower seat.

Make yourself familiar with the traditional Beijing culture in the corridor, where you will see many pictures illustrating Beijing history and traditional culture.The whole tower trip usually takes you two hours exclusive of lunch.

Tip 02: Visit the Tower Daytime or Evening?

Daytime or evening visiting makes a world of difference. It all depends on you to choose daytime or evening.

In a clear day, you can see far and have a panoramic view of Beijing. While in the evening, you will see a Beijing resembling a wonderland with lighting all over the city. The tower itself goes red like a giant red lantern. Of course, having dinner on the revolving restaurant is very romantic with a lit Beijing down below.

Tip 03: Entrance Ticket and Buffet Price, and Opening Hours

Entrance Ticket for Tower visit: RMB 90 ( 08:30-22:00, stop selling tickets at 21:30)

Lunch buffet: RMB 168 with complimentary tower visit and ticket for Taipingyang Ocean Park (11:00-14:00, stop ticket selling at 13:00)

Buffet dinner: RMB 298 with complimentary tower visit and ticket for Taipingyang Ocean Park (17:00-22:00, stop ticket selling at 21:00)

Ticket for Ocean Park only: RMB 50 (08:30-22:00, tickets before 21:30)

Tip 04: How to Get there

Free parking service is provided on condition of having buffet up.

Tip 05: Best Time to Visit the CCTV Tower

4. Take great care on the open air observation since it is quite windy on the top

Tip 6 : Don’t be Confused with CCTV Headquarters Building

Rem Koolhaa and Ole Scheerenof OMA were the architects in charge for the building, while Arup provided the complex engineering design.

It stands at 234 metres high and has 54 floors. This New CCTV Tower ( offices) is in the east of Beijing while CCTV Tower ( a launching tower) is in the west of Beijing.

Tip: Hassle-free Beijing Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for Beijing guided tours:

Further Readings