Tiananmen Square, Beijing

Favorite thing: Tiananmen Square is located at the center of Beijing and has an area of 440,000 m2. Here you can visit the following:

Tiananmen Tower (situated at the North end, built in 1417),

Monument to the People's Heroes (situated at the center of the Square, built in 1952),

Great Hall of the People (situated at the West of the Square, built in 1959),

Mao Zedong Memorial Hall l (situated at the South side of the Square)

China National Museum (situated at the East side of the Square, built in 2003, it is a combination of Chinese History Museum and Chinese Revolutionary Museum)

Flag-raising ceremony (between 4.45 and 5.00 am)

Flag-lowering ceremony (between 7.00 and 7.50 pm)

In Tiananmen Square you can also stroll or relax all day long, flying kites, taking shots, chatting with friends, shopping in all those shops nearby, etc.

Tiananmen Square has also witnessed a great number of important events such as

The May, 4th Movement of 1919

The proclamation of the People’s Republic of China in October 1st, 1949

Mass rallies during the Cultural Revolution

Students protests in 1989

The 1984 and 1999 military parades celebrating the 35th and 50th anniversaries, respectively, of the People's Republic of China

Fondest memory: Stay right in the middle of Tiananmen Square and take a deep breath, look at the majestic places surrounding Tiananmen. This square breathes history, makes you broaden your mind.

2 more images

Favorite thing: During the week long National Day celebrations around October 1 they bring out Sun Zhongshan's portrait, some political slogans, and a bunch of pretty flowers. The China government used to roll out similar large paintings depicting two old Eastern European men with long beards (Karl Marx and some other founder of communism) but now the only bearded fellow you'll see in Tiananmen Square is Colonel Sanders standing in front of the KFC at the southwest corner.

Fondest memory: The Chinese characters visible in photo #2 mean "excellent" and are part of a long National Day political banner surrounded by pretty flowers.

Fondest memory: You can climb onto the Tiananmen Gate to get a good view of Tiananmen Square. The Tiananmen Gate's second floor used to be closed to the public, but now you can look at the meeting areas of political leaders. Very interesting. It's just that you have to go through very strict security upon entering.

Fondest memory: You can feel the power and strength of the country when you stand on Tiananmen Square. Tiananmen Square and Gate are so politically symbolic of China. With a huge picture of Chairman Mao at the entrance of the gate, you know that you are standing at the heart, the control center of China. The enormous size of the square itself also symbolizes the strength of the country.

Fondest memory: I have already seen how they fold the Chinese flag on evenings, after the sunset. I saw it from accross the street, near Mao's portrait. I didn't think it was impressive at all and I wouldn't recommand it to anyone.

But I decided to go see the flagrise with friends. We stayed out all night and arrived at Tiananmen Sq. around 3.30 AM. I was amazed to see how relatively crowded this place was at such an early hour ! Actually, we cannot go into Tiananmen Sq. as it is close and only opens at 4.30 AM. So we waited on the side and talked to people who were selling souvenirs to kill the hour.

Every day, the flag rise depends on the time when the sun comes out, you should be able to check the time out on newspapers. Try Beijing Youth Newspaper.

Once Tiananmen Sq. opened, everyone was running towards the flag podium, it was crazy ! There was music (chinese anthem of course) when the flag rose. I thought it was special and I've never been so proud to be Chinese !!

Favorite thing: Tiananmen Square is one of the world's largest squares. There is always a lot happening there...

It is always nice, when we don't have anything to do, to have a stroll there. I love to watch the multiple and various kites flying over the people. No where else have I seen so many beautiful kites...

Sometimes, I am just amazed to see that kites can fly so high in the sky... Also, it is a pleasure to see kids playing and running all around...

Favorite thing: The world largest square is located on the opposite side of the gate of the forbidden city. It is famous because of Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, which has free admission. Unfortunately this square has also been the settings -during the past years - for different political reasons.

Fondest memory: With an area of some 400,000sq.m, is the largest square in the world today. Here you will find the 'Monument of People's Heroes' in the centre, 'Chairman Mao Memorial Hall' to its south, 'Tian An Men Rostrum' on its north, the 'Great Hall of the People' on its west, the 'Museum of the Chinese History' and the 'Museum of Chinese Revolution' on the east. The Square is listed top among Beijing's 16 scenic spots.