Tian'anmen Square

Tian'anmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace)

The symbol of New China, this gate was built in 1417 and renovated in 1981. It was originally called the Gate of Heavenly Succession. The late Chairman Mao proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China on the rostrum on October 1st, 1949. The gate has five passages, which were closed and used onlyon ceremonial occasions in the old days. The emperor alone was entitled to pass through the central passage. Before leaving on a journey he would make a sacrifice in front of the gate. At other times imperial edicts were sent down, in a gilded box shaped like a phoenix, to officials kneeling below. Hence the expression:" the Imperial Orders Given by the Gilded Phoenix." The edict was then taken to the Ministry of Rites where copies were made for dispatch to the whole country.

Tian'anmen Square

Tian'anmen Square occupies an area of 49 hectares (122 acres), big enough to hold half a million people. The square has witnessed the Chinese people's struggle against foreign aggression and reactionary rule at home.

In 1919, the May 4th Movement broke out in Beijing. Students and residents staged a patriotic demonstration in the square. In 1935, students in Beijing launched the December 9th Movement against the Japanese aggression and Chiang Kai-shek's policy of non-resistance, They held a demonstration in the square.

On April 5, 1976, lots of people gathered here to commemorate Zhou Enlai and oppose the "Gang of Four".

Many tourists to Tian'anmen Square would like to have their pictures taken in front of the white marble Jinshuiqiao (Gold Water Bridges).

The bridges were named after the Gold Water River they span, Seven bridges, each supported by three arches, cross the Outer Gold Water River in front of Tian'anmen, Zhongshan Park, and the Beijing Working People's Palace of Culture. Five one-arched bridges cross the Inner Gold Water River inside the Forbidden City between Wumen (Meridian Gate) and Taihemen (Gate of Supreme Harmony).

The outer bridges, together with two graceful Huabiao (ornamental columns) and two stone lions nearby, set off Tian'anmen, making it look more imposing. The inner bridges make the spacious square look harmonious.

During the Ming and Qing (1368 - 1911) dynasties, the middle one of the seven outer bridges, which is larger than the others was called Yuluqiao (Bridge of the Imperial Way) and was used exclusively by the emperor. The two bridges on each side were called Wanggongqiao (Royal Bridges) and were used by the royal family. The two bridges farther out were the Pinjiqiao (Ranking Bridges) and were used by civil and military officials above the third rank. Those of the fourth rank and below could use only the outer two bridges, which were called Gongshengqiao (Public Bridges).

Tian'anmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) Rostrum

Tian'anmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) Rostrum was opened to the public for the first time in its history in 1988. From the rostrum of Tian'anmen, the late Chairman Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949, and since then it has been the symbol of New China.

In modern Chinese history, several large mass demonstrations have taken place here. The most famous was on May 4, 1919, when more than 3,000 students from Beijing schools and universities came to the square to demonstrate against imperialism and the rule of the military leaders. The event was a landmark in modern Chinese history.

The structure was first named Chengtianmen (Gate of Power Endowed from Heaven or Gate of Heavenly Succession) when it was built in 1417 as the main gate of the former Imperial Palace. In 1456 the wooden structure burned down after it was struck by lightning. It was rebuilt in 1651, and renamed Tian'anmen. In 1644, when Li Zicheng, the leader of a peasant uprising, was defeated by the Manchus, he set fire to the building before running away from the city. The building was enlarged when it was rebuilt for the second time in 1651, and this is The structure Which still stands today. The nine-room-wide and five-room-long wooden gate tower was built to reflect the highly-exalted status of the Emperor.

Located to the north of Tian'anmen Square, the building has red stone walls, a wooden roof and five entrances-the largest, in the middle, leads to the Forbidden City, The building is surrounded by a moat, Jinshui (Golden Water), which was designed to guard the Imperial Palace. Five marble bridges, the Golden Water bridges, lead to the five passages of the gate. Two ornamental columns stand in front of the whole complex.

The gate and the square were out of bounds to the public in imperial time. The Emperor alone was entitled to pass through the central passage. Before leaving on a journey he would make a sacrifice in front of the gate. At other times imperial edicts were sent down, in a gilded box shaped like a phoenix, to officials kneeling below. Hence the expression:" the Imperial Orders Given by the Gilded Phoenix." The edict was then taken to the Ministry of Rites where copies were made for dispatch to the whole country. It was also the place for the Emperor to review royal armies and receive prisoners of war.

Tian'anmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) Rostrum

Tian'anmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) is not only the site of the most important gatherings since the founding of the People's Republic of China, but also one of the most valuable historical sites in China. Parades take place here on important days, such as the rallies on May 1, International Labour Day. Before each parade the building is repainted and generally tidied up. The whole tower roof was replaced as part of a large-scale restoration in 1984, following the original line and shape. The balcony is 34.7 metres high, 62.77 metres long and 27.25 metres wide. It can hold 20,000 guests. The tourist can get a good view of the 40 hectare square across the five marble bridges. To the north is the Forbidden City.There are 67 steps leading to the top of the Rostrum of Tian'anmen Gate.

Great Hall of the People

The Great Hall of the People, completed in 1959, has a total floor space of 171,800 square metres.

It is divided into three parts: offices for the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and reception halls, a 10,000-seat Auditorium and the Banquet Hall accommodating 5,000 people.

Museums

East of the square lie the Museum of Chinese History and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution. These two museums were built in 1959. The History Museum houses a permanent exhibition showing Chinese history from 2.5 million years ago to the year of 1919. The Museum of the Chinese Revolution covers the period from 1919 to 1949.

Chairman Mao Memorial Hall

South of the Monument to the People's Heroes is Chairman Mao Memorial Hall. The foyer houses a seated figure of Chairman Mao in white marble. Behind it is a 7-by-24 metre needlepoint woollen tapestry "Such a beauty is our motherland". In the second room, Chairman Mao's remains recline in a crystal coffin, with the red flag of the Communist Party of China draped over his body. The building was completed in 1977.

Currently, the remains of late Chairman Mao are mechanically raised from a freezer for viewing, then lowered again at night.

Sculptures

The sculpture groups are 6 to 8 metres high and 7 to 15 metres long. The two on the north side are designed on the theme "Great Contributions", representing what the Chinese people achieved in the last half century under the leadership of Chairman Mao. Those on the south side have as their theme "Carry Out Chairman Mao's Behests", expressing the Chinese people's determination to act on his behests and carry the cause of our proletarian revolution through to the end.