Due to its strategic position and role in significant historical events, Tiananmen Square is one of the major tourist destinations and historical landmarks in China and the city of Beijing. One of Beijing’s biggest and most significant squares is Tiananmen Square. As a result, it is regarded as one of this city’s most stunning sights. Many tourists travel to Beijing throughout the year to visit this magnificent monument.
Chinese people frequently narrate myths and tales concerning the occurrences in this plaza. Mao, the Chinese people’s leader, recognized the People’s Republic of China on this plaza in 1949, and it was one of the most momentous events to occur there.
History of Tiananmen Square
When the square was built during the Ming Dynasty, its history officially began. A gate was to be built at the entrance to the palace of Emperor Ming. Yet throughout China’s several conflicts, this gate was repeatedly damaged. After many years, Tiananmen Square was constructed. At first, it was much larger than it is now, but as time went on, the emperor of the time had it renovated and repaired. As a result, the square received its current name, which means “heavenly peace,” which was given to it. The emperor’s order ceremony, royal weddings, festivities, ritual of worshiping grain, and other events have all taken place in this square.
Raising the red flag in Tiananmen Square
This ceremony is performed every day with the presence of soldiers wearing formal uniforms, at the same time as the sun rises and in about three minutes. If you want to see this ceremony in full, be present in the square five minutes before sunrise. During the waving of the red flag of China, the national anthem of this country is played from loudspeakers throughout the space. During the official holiday, Chinese people gather in Tiananmen Square in addition to foreign tourists to see this magnificent ceremony.
Tiananmen Square and its surrounding attractions
Among the other attractions that can be accessed around Tiananmen Square in Beijing are Tiananmen Tower, Monument to the People’s Heroes, Great Hall of the People, National Museum of China and Park and Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao. As a result, Beijing’s Tiananmen Square is the most visited attraction in Beijing, which is the destination of many tourists. Also, this square is in the south of the forbidding city, and there is also a building called Paradise in the southern Tiananmen area of Beijing. All these buildings are visited by Chinese tourists and are very crowded.
Tiananmen Tower
The Tiananmen Tower was built in 1427 by the Ming Dynasty, which lasted from 1368 to 1644, and served as a relief gate for both the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is situated in the area of Tiananmen Square to the north. This tower housed the entrance to the Forbidden City. During that time, the tower’s main purpose was to alert the city’s inhabitants of significant events like the election of the emperor and queen. In the People’s Republic of China, this tower has come to represent contemporary China. This tower had one major reconstruction in 1420, under the reign of Ming Yongle.
Complaints Column
Before reaching Tiananmen Square, there is a beautiful bridge and two columns decorated with white marble railings and traditional Chinese paintings such as dragons are carved with great skill. In ancient times, if people had complaints or suggestions, they would write-in this place so that it would be heard by the emperor! That’s why these columns are called complaint columns.
The Heroes of the People’s Monument
On Tiananmen Square in Beijing, there is a monument to the people’s heroes made of stone and granite. The biggest monument in China is this structure, which was constructed in 1952. The phrase “China’s heroes are immortal” was engraved on this monument by leader Mao. Eight unusual and large statues commemorating Chinese national heroes show people the modern history of China. This monument seems modest and elegant because to its two rows of white marble railings.
The People’s Great Hall
The Great Hall of the People is located to the west of Tiananmen Square. It was constructed in 1959. The Chinese National People’s Congress has its meetings in this hall, which is also an important location for political and diplomatic activity. The center hall, the great hall, and a party hall are separated by the twelve marble stones at the front of the room. The central hall has a beautiful view with a floor covered with marble and crystals hanging from the ceiling. The big hall, which is located at the rear of the main hall, has 10,000 seats and the banquet hall has 5,000 seats. This hall has other departments and halls as well.
Each province, special administrative region, and independent region of the People’s Republic of China has its own hall, which can be seen in the southern portion of the hall where the People’s Republic of China’s Standing Committee’s administrative building is located. Beijing Hall, Hong Kong Hall, and Taiwan Hall are a few examples. The particular aesthetic of each province and area is reflected in the decoration of each hall.
China National Museum
The China National Museum, which is situated in Tiananmen Square’s eastern section, is another significant destination for travelers. The New China National Museum, the largest contemporary museum in the world, opened in March 2011 following four years of refurbishment and expansion. The Chinese History Museum and the Chinese Revolution Museum are combined in this institution. The China History Museum features a vast collection of artifacts dating from 1,700,000 years ago to 1921, the year the last emperor abdicated. Several items, images, booklets, and other displays in the Museum of the Chinese Revolution show how China has developed.
Chairman Mao’s memorial building
The Chairman Mao’s memorial building is situated in Tiananmen Square’s southern section. Chairman Mao’s remains is stored here in a crystal casket surrounded by vibrant, gorgeous flowers in one of the three halls that make up this building. Mao Zedong, who presided over the Communist Party Bureau from 1943 to 1945 and oversaw from 1945 through 1976, the central committee of the party, was initially buried in this hall. On a white marble stone with golden letters, the name of the hall (President Mao Hall) is inscribed. The ceiling of this hallway has two walls and is golden glazed.
There are two distinct groups of Chinese revolutionaries in front of the south gate, one for the socialism era and the other for the new democratic era. There are two rows of sculptures in all, forming four groups, in front of the northern gate. More than 100 artists from 18 Chinese provinces completed the entire area’s sculpture in 5 months. The People’s Republic of China’s 30 provinces, municipalities, and free zones are represented by 30 flags flying outside the south entrance.
What is the suggested time to visit Tiananmen Square in Beijing?
A 2-hour visit to Beijing’s Tiananmen Square during a tour to this city might be full of remarkable experiences given the size and significance of this square.
When is the best season to visit Tiananmen Square in Beijing?
According to Beijing’s climate, spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit this city. If you travel to Beijing during these days, you will certainly be attracted to Tiananmen Square.
Visit Tiananmen Square
A checkpoint at the entrance to Tiananmen Square will check you upon arrival. The less stuff you have, the sooner you get out of the gate. A fence has been drawn around Tiananmen Square so that no one can enter the square without inspection! All visitors are both screened and ticketed.
Tiananmen Square Access
Bus:
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- Board any of the following buses and get out at Tiananmen Xi Station: Line 1, Line 5, Line 52, Line 2 Tourist Bus, and Line 2 Sightseeing Bus.
- Go to Tiananmen Dong by bus lines 1, 2, 52, 59, 82, 120, tour bus, or tourist bus line 2.
- To get to Tiananmen Guangchang Dong station, board bus lines 2, 5, 120, or sightseeing bus line 2. (East side of Tiananmen Square).
- Tiananmen Guangchang Xi can be reached by using Bus Line 120 or Sightseeing Bus Line 2. (East side of Tiananmen Square).
- Get to Qianmen East on the Inner Ring bus lines 8, 9, 20, 44, Outer Ring lines 44 and 622, and then turn north.
Subway:
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- Go to Tiananmen Dong or Tiananmen Xi on Metro line 1.
- Go to Qianmen station on subway line 2 and exit. Go north from exits A or B.