When you travel to Beijing, the must and first place to visit in your Beijing tours is Tiananmen Square. Located at the center of Beijing City, Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world (440,000 m² – 880 m by 500 m), where you can visit Tiananmen Tower, Monument to the People’s Heroes, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, and Great Hall of the People. It shows great cultural significance of Chinese long history. Besides, you can also see the national flag raising ceremony, getting the feeling of dignity. Thousands of people, including residents and tourists, come to the Tiananmen Square every day.
Tiananmen Tower is at the north end of the Square. It was built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty (1368 A.D.- 1644 A.D.), and it was the front door of the Forbidden City. The most important function of it in the past was to declare to the common people who became the emperor. On Oct. 1 1949, the Chairman of China Mao Zedong declared the foundation of the People’ Republic of China, which turned a new page in China’s history. That is the most exciting moment for all Chinese people. Since then, Tiananmen has become the symbol of New China, and there has been hung a large portrait of Chairman Mao in the front of Tiananmen Tower. The government holds a big ceremony for commemorating the foundation on Oct.1 every year.
The Monument to the People’s Heroes is built at the center of the Tiananmen Square. Built in 1952, it is the largest monument in China’s history. On the front of the monument there are the words ‘The People’s Heroes are Immortal’ which was written by Chairman Mao. Eight unusually large sculptures show the development of Chinese modern history. The monument is enclosed by two rows of white marble railings, simple and beautiful.
West of the Square is the Great Hall of the People, which was erected in 1959. It holds China National People’s Congress meetings and other political and diplomatic activities. There are twelve marble posts in front of the Hall. The Hall has three parts–the Central Hall, the Great Auditorium and a Banqueting Hall. The floor of the Central Hall is paved with marble and crystal lamps hang from the ceiling. The Great Auditorium behind the Central Hall seats about 10,000. The Banqueting Hall is a huge hall with 5,000 seats. Besides meeting, there are concert held here. People who perform here are famous in the world.
At the south side of the Square is Mao Zedong Memorial Hall，which is divided into three halls. Our dear Chairman Mao’s body lies in a crystal coffin in one of the halls surrounded by fresh bouquets of various famous flowers and grasses. Everyday, there are so many people who bring flowers to get in. In one of the halls lies Chairman Mao’s crystal coffin surrounded by fresh bouquets of flowers and grasses.
In the Tiananmen Square, the Chinese national flag flies high in the sky. People have to get up very early and arrive at the Square before sunrise. Only by doing so can you see the ceremony clearly. Because that there are crowds of people attending to see the national flag raising ceremony every day.
If you are interested in feeling the culture and history of China, please book Beijing flights, and enjoy your Beijing tour.
Travel tips:
Address: On the Chang’an Avenue, west of Wangfujing;
Ticket: Free for square visiting; 15 yuan for tower ascending;
Opening hours: Whole day
How to get there: Subway Line 1, Bus No.s 1, 5, 10, 20, 22, 52, 57, or walk over from Qianmen or Wangfujing.
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