Tian'anmen Square

Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, is seated at the very heart of Beijing in the traditional center axis facing Changan Avenue. Covering an area of 440,000 m², the stone-paved spacious square can hold over one million people. It measures 880 meters from north to south and 500 meters from west to east. The square is named after the Tiananmen Gate and today, it is the place for celebrations on National Day.

History

Tiananmen Gate was initially built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and named Chengtian Gate. In 1644, the war between Li Zicheng (the rebel leader who overthrew the Ming Dynasty) and early Qing emperors damaged the gate. The Tiananmen Square was designed and built in 1651. After the 1949 when People’s Republic of China was founded, the square was enlarged four times its original size.

Visiting Guide

For a trip to Tiananmen Square, tourist can visit Tiananmen Gate in the north, Monument to the People's Heroes at the center, Great Hall of the People in the west, Chairman Mao’s Memorial Hall at the south and National Museum of China in the east.

Tiananmen Gate

Tiananmen Gate, at the north end of Tiananmen Square, has a history of about 600 years. It is originally the frontispiece of the imperial Forbidden City. In ancient times, it was the place to declare an emperor ascended the throne and queen took crown. Until 1911, the gate is forbidden to people but royal family. At present, it is the symbol of China featured on the country’s emblem and open to public with a charge of CNY 15.

The 33.7-meter-high gate is composed of a 13-meter-high platform made of white marble stones and five arch gateways. Among the five gateways, the central is the largest, which was specific passage for Ming and Qing emperors while the side ones were for ministers and officials. Outside the central gateway, there are two couples of stone columns called Huabiao which are carved with legendary dragon. In front of the gate is the golden water with seven white marble bridges spanning over it. Outside the gate and bridges, there are stone lions guarding them.

Flag-Raising Ceremony

Every morning, there is a magnificent flag-rising ceremony at the moment of sunrise in the square regardless of the weather. The ceremony on the first day of ever month is accompanied with the accompaniment of military band. This ceremony attracts many tourists and has become a must-see for a trip to Beijing.

Monument to the People's Heroes

Situated at the center of the square, the Monument to the People's Heroes is the largest in Chinese history. The granite monument is engraved with Chairmen Mao’s inscription which reads "Eternal Glory to the People's Heroes". On the monument seat, there are eight white marble sculptures regarding a series of important events in Chinese history such as Opium burning in Humen, Wuchang Uprising, the May 4th Movement of 1919, Nanchang Upring, War against Japan and Successful Crossing of the Yangtze River.

Chairman Mao’s Memorial Hall

Chairman Mao’s Memorial Hall is located at the south end of the Tiananmen Square. Built in 1976, the hall is composed of three little halls. The north one is the place for commemorative rites, also the entrance housing a tall marble statue of Mao Zedong and a huge floss-embroidered mural painting. The center one containing the crystal coffin lying with Chairman Mao's body is the core place to pay tribute to Chairman Mao. As the exit of the Memorial Hall, the south one has a marble wall on the north engraved with the gilded scripture written by Mao Zedong.

Outside the south gate of Chairman Mao’s Memorial Hall, there are two groups of clay figures in the court. These figures display China Revolution in New Democracy period and socialist construction period. The surrounding of the hall is planted with flowers and trees from all over China to keep the hall in a green environment all the year round. The hall can be visited 8:00 to 12:00 from Tuesday to Sunday.

Great Hall of the People

Located at the seat of Tiananmen Square, the Great Hall of People is the place to hold the China National People's Congress meetings as well as the place for Chinese leaders to hold political, diplomatic and cultural activities. The hall is composed of three parts with twelve marble posts in front of the building. The three parts are the Central Hall, the Great Auditorium and the Banqueting Hall.

Enter from the great bronze east gate, visitors will find the Central hall passing through two little halls. The walls and the floor are built with colorful marble with 20 white marble posts. There are six main gates standing in the Central Hall, which lead you to the Great Auditorium. The fan-shaped auditorium has 9,700 seats installed with simultaneous interpretation equipment and its ceiling is decorated with a large ruby like star surrounded by a galaxy of lights. The Companionship Hall, place for state leaders to meet and banquet state guests, can be accessed from the north gate. The marble-paved hall consists of State Guest Meeting Hall in the east and State Guest Banquet Hall in the west.

Great Hall of the People is closed to the public when there are national conferences or other big political activities. The opening hours are 9:00 to 14:00 in January. February. March and December; 8:15 to 15:00 in April, May and June; 7:30 to 16:00 in July and August; 8:30 to 15:00 in September. October and November.

National Museum of China

Lying in the east of Tiananmen Square, the National Museum is another important place for the tourist. It is composed of Chinese History Museum and Chinese Revolutionary Museum. The Chinese Revolutionary Museum show people the development of modern China by a lot of material objects, pictures, books and models. The Chinese History Museum illustrate the long history and glorious culture of China through numerous treasured collections various thematic exhibitions such as arts of bronze, porcelain, jade, Chinese calligraphy and paintings, Buddhist statues, Ming & Qing furniture, coins, etc in ancient China.

The museum is open to public for free from 9:00 to 17:00 and closed on Monday. Visitors need to pay for some special exhibitions.

How to get to the Tiananmen Square

By Subway

Located in the city center, it’s very convenient to get to Tiananmen Square. Visitors can take Subway Line 1 and get off at Tiananmen Dong or Tiananmen Xi Station. You can also take Subway Line 2 and get off at Qianmen Station. Get out from Exit A or B and walk north, you’ll find the Tiananmen Square.

By Bus

Take bus 1, 5, 10, 22, 37, 52, 205, 728 or 802 and get off at Tiananmen Xi.
Take bus 1, 2, 10, 20, 37, 52, 59, 82, 120, 126, 203, 205, 210, 728 or 802 and get off at Tiananmen Dong.
Take bus 2, 5, 8, 20, 22, 120, 126, 203, or 210 and get off at Tiananmen Guangchang Dong (Tiananmen Square East).
Take bus 2, 5, 20, 120, 126 or 210 and get off at Tiananmen Guangchang Xi (Tiananmen Square West).