Tiananmen Square
- the
second largest square in the world Book Tiananmen
Square Tou
The Tiananmen Square in the center of Beijing, is said to be the biggest square in the world. It is 880 meters from north to south, and 500 meters from east to west, with total area of 440,000 square meters and can hold one million people. The Tiananmen Gate Tower sites at the north, the Five-Star Red Flag flies high on the square, the Monument to the People's Heroes dominates the center, the Great Hall of the People and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution and the Museum of Chinese History to the east and west of it, as well as The Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and the Qianmen gate, sit in the south of the square. Over several hundred years, in front of the Tiananmen, many democracy meetings and demonstrations are held. Tens of thousands of people visit daily. The Square is listed top among Beijing's 16 scenic spots.
At the north end of the Square is Tiananmen 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 Tiananmen 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.
hotels nearby
Beijing wangfujing grand hotel
Beijing State Guest Hotels Presidential Plaza
Dong Jiao Min Xiang Hotel
