Chinesischer Turm e.V.Practical guide
Visiting the Chinese Tower and Beer Garden in Munich
The Chinese Tower stands in the middle of Munich's English Garden, surrounded by the city's second largest beer garden. The park is car-free, which is part of its charm, so the best ways in are public transport, bicycle or your own two feet. Here is everything you need for a visit.
- Address
- Englischer Garten 3, 80538 Munich (southern English Garden)
- Bus
- Lines 54 and 154, stop "Chinesischer Turm", directly at the beer garden
- Underground
- U3/U6 to Giselastrasse, then a 15-minute level walk through the park
- Tram
- Line 18 to Tivolistrasse, about 10 minutes on foot
- From the main station
- About 25-30 minutes door to door by underground and foot
- Parking
- None at the tower; the park is car-free
The beer garden at the Chinese Tower
With around 7,000 seats under old chestnut trees, this is Munich's second largest beer garden, and one of its most atmospheric. It is largely self-service: you find a spot at one of the long tables, fetch a Mass of Hofbräu beer, and stay as long as you like. On many summer days a brass band plays from the first floor of the tower, a tradition as old as the square itself.
Two things first-time visitors should know. First, in a genuine Bavarian beer garden you may bring your own food; only drinks must be bought on site. Locals arrive with cloth-covered baskets of Brezn, cheese, Obazda and radishes. Second, the beer garden operates in fair weather; current opening hours and the menu are published by the operators, the Haberl family, at chinaturm.de. In the Advent season the square hosts one of Munich's prettiest Christmas markets.
Getting there by public transport
Bus 54 and 154: right to the door
Both lines stop at "Chinesischer Turm", immediately at the beer garden. This is the only motorised transport allowed to the tower and the most direct option.
U3/U6 to Giselastrasse: the classic route
From Giselastrasse station it is a flat, signposted 15-minute walk through the English Garden, arguably the nicest approach, especially in the morning or at dusk.
Tram 18 to Tivolistrasse
From the Tivolistrasse stop, cross the Tivoli bridge into the park; about 10 minutes on foot.
By bicycle
The English Garden is criss-crossed by cycle paths and the tower has plenty of bicycle racks. From the city centre, the prettiest route follows the Eisbach stream northwards; from Schwabing, take the paths from Münchner Freiheit. Watch for pedestrian priority on some main paths.
On foot: the scenic approaches
From the Monopteros it is about 10 minutes, from the Eisbach wave (where the river surfers ride) about 15 minutes, and from Kleinhesseloher See with its lakeside Seehaus about 10 minutes. Walking from the Haus der Kunst through the southern park takes around 25 minutes. All paths are level and suitable for prams.
By car: honestly, don't
There are no parking spaces at the tower; the park is car-free. Limited street parking exists along Tivolistrasse and Mauerkircherstrasse and in the surrounding Schwabing streets, with resident-parking restrictions. On weekends, holidays and above all on Kocherlball morning, the situation is tight. Take the U-Bahn.
Accessibility
The paths through the English Garden to the Chinese Tower are largely level and wheelchair accessible, and the beer garden itself is barrier-free. The upper floors of the tower are not open to the public, so nothing is missed by staying at ground level, where all the life happens anyway.
Make a morning or evening of it
The tower combines well with the park's other sights: the surfers at the Eisbach wave, the Monopteros hill with its skyline view, and Kleinhesseloher See. If your visit falls on the first Saturday of a month, you may find our association's Stammtisch at one of the long tables; what that is and why it matters is on our page about Bavarian traditions at the tower. And if you are in Munich in mid-July, set your alarm for the Kocherlball.
Frequently asked questions
What is the address of the Chinese Tower?
Englischer Garten 3, 80538 Munich.
What is the closest station?
Bus stop "Chinesischer Turm" (lines 54/154) is directly at the tower; the nearest U-Bahn is Giselastrasse (U3/U6), a 15-minute walk.
Is there parking?
No. The park is car-free; use public transport or a bicycle.
Is the beer garden wheelchair accessible?
Yes, both the paths and the beer garden are barrier-free.
Can I bring my own food?
Yes, that is protected Bavarian beer garden tradition. Drinks must be bought on site.