Tian’anmen Square in central Beijing. It is the world’s largest square, covering an area of 50 square meters. September 30, 1949, the eve of the founding ceremony, Mao Zedong led to the Tian’anmen Square all the CPPCC National Committee members, the People’s Heroes Monument laid the first stone.

According to Chinese traditional thought, monuments and buildings, should be blocks south, but Zhou was suggested to the architect, whether for the Tiananmen Square memorial, facing Chang’an Avenue, because the vast majority of people into the plaza from the north.

Architects have accepted his proposal, so the history clearly see two indomitable characters – people. The people are the creators of history. 10th anniversary of the founding, is writing a 10-month builder built the Great Hall of the miracle of architectural history, shocked the world. AD 1999, is the brush they use the most beautiful pictures depicting the more beautiful. More than 159,600 square meters of the plaza is a designer, builder 241 days and nights with the sweat, wisdom and passion interwoven!

The west is the Great Hall Plaza, where the office of the NPC. The east is the Museum of Chinese Revolution and Chinese History Museum, in the center of the square stands the Monument to the People. South of the monument is the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, placed the remains of Mao Zedong, a great man here, one can enter the viewing.

Across the Chang’an Avenue, north of the square is the magnificent Tian’anmen Gate, which was built in Beijing’s north-south axis, 33.7 m-high, turned out to be the Ming and Qing dynasties the main entrance of the palace. 1 October 1949 Mao Zedong pushed the button on the tower rises in the new China first flag, since then, Tian’anmen Square became the symbol of state power. Through the gate to enter the Forbidden City Tian’anmen Square. Now go upstairs to visit Tian’anmen Square to allow visitors to purchase.

1949, attracted worldwide attention in the founding ceremony was held in the PRC. Tian’anmen Square with its magnificent open, dignified and majestic, attracting thousands of foreign tourists.

Tian’anmen Square near the main attractions are: Zhengyangmen tower, Zhengyangmen watchtower, the front door Dashilan. National Palace Museum, Zhongshan Park, the working people’s Cultural Palace (Tai Miao), Museum of Chinese History, Museum of Chinese Revolution, the Great Hall of Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, the People’s Heroes Monument and more.
Guoqi Ban on Tiananmen Square, soldiers every day at sunrise flag-raising ceremony in Beijing has become a big attraction.

At the north end of the Square is Tian’anmen Tower. Initially built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty (1368 A.D.- 1644 A.D.), the Square was the front door of the Forbidden City. The most important use of it in the past was to declare in a big ceremony to the common people who became the emperor and who became the empress. Until 1911 when the last feudal kingdom was over, no one could enter the Tower except for the royal family and aristocrats.

The granite Monument to the People’s Heroes is just at the center of the Tiananmen Square. Built in 1952, it is the largest monument in China’s history. ‘The People’s Heroes are Immortal’ written by Chairman Mao is engraved on the monument. Eight unusually large relief sculptures show to the people the development of Chinese modern history. Two rows of white marble railings enclose the monument, simple and beautiful.

West of the Square is the Great Hall of the People. This building, erected in 1959, is the site of the China National People’s Congress meetings and provides an impressive site for other political and diplomatic activities.Twelve marble posts are infront of the Hall which 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 10,000. The Banqueting Hall is a huge hall with 5,000 seats.

Mao Zedong Memorial Hall is at the south side of the Square. This Hall is divided into three halls and 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.

Another important place for the tourist to visit is the China National Museum at the east side of the Square. It just came into existence in 2003 and is a combination of Chinese History Museum and Chinese Revolutionary Museum.

This National Museum faces the Great Hall of the People. Inside the Chinese Revolutionary Museum are a lot of material objects, pictures, books and models to present the development of modern China.

The Chinese History Museum shows a large number of cultural relics illustrating the long history and glorious culture of China from 1,700,000 years ago to 1921 when the last emperor left the throne.

Five Star Red Flag-the Chinese national flag, flies high in the sky above the Square. To see the guard of honor raise the Flag is a must for the tourist visiting Beijing City. You have to get up very early and arrive at the Square before sunrise. Only by doing so can you see the ceremony clearly as there are crowds of people attending the ceremony every day.
The present Tian’anmen Square has an area of 440,000 square meters and has become a relaxing place for the common people to fly kites and walk. On a holiday, the whole square is covered with fresh flowers.

Click for more details on 2007 time arrangement for Flag-raising Ceremony.

Admission Fee: Free for square visiting; CNY 15 for tower ascending
Opening Hours: Whole day
Recommended
Time for a Visit: Half an hour
Bus Route: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10