Page Text: As does this Canadian journalist .
The police presence (both uniformed and plain clothes) is immense.
This force leaps into action immediately following the flag ceremony, as the Square is systematically evacuated. Police cars, trucks and armoured vehicles come out of nowhere and corral the thousands of onlookers out of the Square in a matter of minutes.
This is a practised and efficient drill. We watch in amazement as we, along with the rest of the crowd, are herded towards the several exit points leaving the Square.
While someone on Tripadvisor says don’t even bother with the flag lowering ceremony.
Some people actually spend hours waiting for it. But there’s really nothing much, all done in silence. An anti-climax. And immediately after the ceremony, the security will clear everyone out from the square. That’s the time when the lights come on at the Forbidden Palace across the road, which presents a great photo opportunity.
And finally – an answer
I eventually found the closing time thanks to the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality – Tiananmen Management Committee – on a Chinese-language only webpage .
Question: Closing time of Tiananmen Square
Reply: Hello, the daily opening hours of Tiananmen Square are about one hour before the flag is raised and the end of the flag is lowered.
As well as the possible source of the “10 pm” closing time – that’s when the lights get switched off .
Question: What time does the night lighting time of Tiananmen Gate Tower end?
Response: According to the “Notice on Printing and Distributing Beijing Night View Lighting Management Measures” of the General Office of the Beijing Municipal People’s Government:
Weekday closing time: from May 1st to September 30th, at 22:00 every day. From October 1st to April 30 of the following year, it will be 21:30 every day.
General holiday closing time: from May 1st to September 30th, at 22:30 every day. From October 1st to April 30th of the following year, at 22:00 every day.
major holidays: Closing time: 24 o’clock every day.
The turn-on time is uniformly turned on with the road lighting.
So closing time at Tiananmen Square is sunset, and don’t even try to hang around!
Footnote: security everywhere
Entering Tiananmen Square requires running the gauntlet of security.
Bags and ID get checked at the gatehouse before entering the square.
With long lines in peak times.
And once inside, police are everywhere.
With police cars.