Tiananmen Square
.jpg)
The largest city square in the world, Tiananmen Square occupies an area of over 440,000 square meters and is bordered by two ancient gates, the Tiananmen Gate in the north and the Zhengyangmen Gate. Located to the south of The Forbidden City, it is named for Tiananmen Gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace). The square is a very important part of China’s political culture and is home to the official flag of China. The square is also home to monuments, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.
The area that is Tiananmen Square was formerly the home of offices of different imperial ministries, streets and the Daqingmen Gate, one of Beijing’s city gates. The imperial ministry offices were demolished in the early 20th century and in the 1949’s, the Daqingmen Gate was demolished bringing the square to its current size. The Daqingmen Gate was one of the most important gates in Beijing and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong is located where it once stood.
The square contains many important Chinese monuments and statues and is the site where military parades are given on important occasions. Below is listed the monuments and sites starting in the north and going south.
Tiananmen Gate
Located directly north of the square, Tiananmen Gate is the southernmost extant gate of The Forbidden City. It was built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It was where the emperor would give proclamations that effected the whole country. On October 1st, 1949, Mao Zedong announced the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The gate is a popular destination with Chinese tourists and offers and incredible bird’s eye view of Tiananmen Square. Just south of the gate is the Golden River, across which seven marble bridges were built.
The Flag of China
Near the north edge of the square is the Flag of China. It is raised and lowered by a military honor guard at sunrise and sestet and is a very popular attraction with visitors.
Monument to the People’s Heroes
To the south of the flag is the Monument to the People’s Heroes. The ten story high obelisk was erected in honor of martyrs who died for China’s revolutionary struggles. It is standing on a multi-tiered base, reminiscent of the bases of imperial monuments. On the obelisk’s pedestal are 8 bas-relief carvings of moments of China’s revolutionary struggle. Running clockwise starting in the east, the reliefs depict; the Opium War, Taiping Revolution, Wuchang Uprising, the May 4th Movement, the May 30th Movement, the Nanchang Uprising, World War II, the Yangtze River Campaign. On the front of the obelisk is calligraphy in Mao Zedong’s handwriting which reads: “Eternal glory to the people’s heroes!” On the back is a dedication written by Zhou Enlai commemorating the heroes who died.
Mausoleum of Mao Zedong
Located in the center of the square is the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. It is located where the Daqingmen Gate once stood. It is the final resting place of Mao Zedong. The mausoleum was built right after Mao Zedong’s death. It was constructed with materials from all over China, with Granite being the main exterior covering. The mausoleum is a very popular site with Chinese visitors and lines can be incredibly long. No bags or cameras are allowed inside and flowers can be rented to place in the mausoleum. Zhengyangmen Gate
Located out the south-end of the square is the Zhengyangmen Gate and archery tower. Once part of Beijing’s city wall, the gate guarded the southern entry into Beijing and was the tallest gate in Beijing’s defense network. Built in 1419, the gate and archery tower were connected by high walls which formed a barbican, in which invaders would be trapped and then fired upon by archers.
Located to the east and west of Tiananmen Square are buildings of great importance to China’s ancient culture, and of its government.
The Great Hall of the People
Located west of the square, the Great Hall of the People was built in 1959 and occupies an area of over 42 acres. It is where the National People’s Congress meets. The Great Auditorium, which occupies the center section of the hall, is where the National People’s Congress meet seats 10,000 people. The ceiling is decorated with a large red star in the middle surrounded by a pattern of waves and lights. The floor of the auditorium is paved with marble. North of the Great Auditorium is the State Banquet Hall, which can entertain up to 5,000 people. The southern part of the building is where the offices of the People’s Congress of China are. Every province is represented there. The hall is open to the public when congress is not in session.
The National Museum of China Opposite of the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China is located on the eastern side of the square. The museum, which opened in 1959, occupies an area of over 65,000 square meters. It is home to a huge collection chronicling China’s history since prehistory.
|
|
