In short
The National Museum of China will be open from 1 to 7 October 2026. It will be closed on Wednesday 30 September because of activities in the Tiananmen area. Entry is free, but every visitor must make a real-name reservation within seven days before the visit through the museum website, its WeChat mini program or its WeChat account, and enter during the reserved time slot.
The dates that matter
The notice specifically says that 30 September is closed because of activities in the Tiananmen area. Plan the museum for 1–7 October.
The museum says it will operate during the Golden Week period to meet visitors' cultural needs. The reservation system still applies on every open day.
How to reserve free entry
Reservations open within the seven days before your visit and are tied to a real identity. Use one of the official channels below; the notice warns against booking through other channels.
- National Museum of China website
- National Museum of China WeChat mini program
- National Museum of China WeChat account
Golden Week visitor checklist
- Choose a date and time slot before building the rest of the Beijing itinerary around the museum.
- Arrive at the reserved time and keep the identity document used for the reservation ready for verification.
- Do not buy a ticket from a scalper or an unofficial intermediary: the museum says this risks personal-information theft and financial loss.
- Keep the reservation and identity document ready for the museum's verification process.
Frequently asked questions
Is the National Museum of China open on 30 September 2026?
No. The museum's official notice says it will be closed on Wednesday 30 September because of Tiananmen-area activity arrangements. It is open from 1 to 7 October.
Do Golden Week visitors need to pay for National Museum entry?
Entry is free. The museum still requires a real-name reservation within seven days before the visit.
Where should I book the National Museum?
Use the museum website, its WeChat mini program or its WeChat account. The notice warns against booking through other channels.
Can I visit the National Museum without a reservation?
No. Every visitor must reserve an entry time and arrive during that slot with the identity document used for booking.