Tiananmen Square, also known as the Square of Heavenly Peace, in Beijing is filled with superlatives. This vast 880-metre-long and 500-metre-wide square can hold a million people and is the 4th largest square in the world. The Gate of Heavenly Peace, the Tiananmen Gate, provides access to the Forbidden City. Above the entrance hangs a portrait of Mao Zedong, the founder of modern China.
Tiananmen Square – declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 – owes its name to the highest pursuit of the Chinese warlords. It was built as the entrance to the Forbidden City, the exclusive domain of the Imperial Court, which has served as a meeting place between the country’s leaders and the population since the beginning of the 15th century. Practically every Chinese citizen wishes to visit the square at least once in their lifetime, especially the mausoleum where Mao (1893-1976) lies in state. Every day thousands of people pay their respects at his tomb.
“Tiananmen Square is China’s centre of power and glory”