Tiananmen Square
Address
Tiananmen Square, China, Beijing, Dongcheng
GPS
39.9269012, 116.4100395
Tiananmen Square is a town square in the middle of Beijing, China, named after the Tiananmen built north from the Forbidden City. The square includes the People’s Heroes Monument, The People’s Great Hall, China’s National Museum, and Mao Zedong’s Mausoleum.
Quick facts
- Name: Tiananmen Square
- Location: Beijing, China
- Type of attraction: Public Square
- Built: 1651
- Ticket price: Free
On 1 October 1949, Mao Zedong declared on the square the founding of the People’s Republic of China; the anniversary of this occurrence is still being observed there. Based on the size, Tiananmen Square is within the world’s top ten city squares and largest one in China. It has great cultural importance, as it has been the site of several significant events in the history of China.
Tiananmen Square is larger than a football pitch, at over 400,000 square metres, and can accommodate more than a million people. Tiananmen Gate (the “Gate of Heavenly Peace”) is one of the most iconic structures in all of China, and the square is the perfect spot to get photographs of it.
The changing of the guard and the raising and lowering of the flag at daybreak and sunset are also must-sees during any visit to Tiananmen Square. Keep in mind that these rituals attract a lot of domestic Chinese tourists, so getting a decent spot to watch the ceremony can be challenging.
Travelers from all over China come to Tiananmen Square to have their picture taken in front of Chairman Mao’s image. Be prepared to have some of these visitors, especially those from more remote rural areas, take photos of you or ask you to take photos with them because they may not be used to seeing non-Asian faces in their hometown.
In the summer, it may get very hot just walking about the area because there are no trees to provide any sort of shade. Don’t forget the hat, the sunscreen, and the water. If you need to buy a water bottle or use the loo, do so outside the area, as there are no facilities within the plaza itself.
Tiananmen Square has airport-style security measures, like as metal detectors and x-ray machines, at a limited number of entry points. It is recommended that you bring your passport as well in case you are requested for identification. Keep in mind that the government and the police have the right to close Tiananmen Square at any time for any reason.
Tiananmen Square is usually seen by tourists on their way to the Forbidden City; seeing both in one day is possible.
The square is a starting point for exploration of Beijing and cannot be missed.
Best time to visit
The best times to visit Tiananmen Square are at sunrise or sunset, when the guards raise and lower the national flag. During holidays like National Day or May Day, Tiananmen Square is decorated with beautiful flower beds, which makes for a good photo opportunity. However, the square will also be very crowded at this time of year. The square is also very impressive at night time when the surrounding buildings are illuminated.
Interesting facts about Tiananmen Square
Here are some interesting facts about this historic landmark:
- The Square was originally built in 1651, but enlarged four times and paved only in 1958.
- Located in the square is The Memorial Hall, the last resting place of Mao Zedong, the first founding father of the People’s Republic of China.
- There are flag ceremonies performed at dusk and dawn every day.
