Tiananmen Square

 

 

Tiananmen Square is located in the center of Beijing city. It is the heart of China. Tiananmen Square covers 44 hectares. It is the largest downtown square all round the world. The main buildings include Tiananmen, China's National Museum, The Great Hall of the People, Memorial of Chairman Mao, and Monument to People's Heroes. The feeling of magnificence will be aroused when you stand in the center of this square, because you stand in the heart of China.

 

 

 

Generally, Tiananmen Square is the beginning of PRC's architecture history, because it was born several hours earlier than this young republic country. On September 30 1949, the eve of ceremony of PRC foundation, Chairman Mao erected the first footstone for Monument to People's Heroes with all the commissioners of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

According to Chinese traditional ideas, the monument should face the south. However, Premier Zhou Enlai suggested the architects that the monument should face the Tainanmen and Changan Avenue, for the majority are used to entering the square from the north.The architects accepted his suggestions. 

 

 

 

The building to the west of the square is the Great Hall of the People. In 1499, the world-shocked National Founding Ceremony was held in the square. We also could look at the scientifically preserved reliquiae of Chairman Mao with reverence in Memorial of Chairman Mao. The square usually opens at 7: 30 o'clock and closed at 22:30, and after 22:30 o'clock, the soldiers will come and evacuate the people on the square. Tiananmen is located in the north of this square, and it is the symbol of China's regime. People could enter the Imperial Palace through Tiananmen. People could go up to the Tiananmen to see the grand scenery made by Chinese people.  

The rising of flag ceremony is always taken as one of the important attractions when you visit Beijing. Conventionally, people will wait in line in front of the Great Hall of the People until 7:00 or so.