Tiananmen Square: China’s Revolutionary History & Iconic Landmark

Tiananmen Square: A Symbol of China’s Revolutionary Spirit and National Pride

Tiananmen Square, located in the heart of Beijing, is the largest urban square in the world. It measures 880 meters in length from north to south and 500 meters in width from east to west, covering an area of 440,000 square meters. It can accommodate up to 1 million people for large-scale events, making it one of the most iconic public spaces globally.

The square stands as a testament to the unwavering revolutionary spirit and heroic courage of the Chinese people. Historic events such as the May Fourth Movement, the December 9th Movement, and the May 20th Movement all left their indelible marks on China’s modern revolutionary history here.

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Tiananmen Square was expanded. In the center of the square, the Monument to the People’s Heroes was erected, and on the west side, the Great Hall of the People was built. On the east side, the Museum of the Chinese Revolution and the Museum of Chinese History were established, while the south side features the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.

Tiananmen Gate is located at the northern end of the square. Originally built in the 15th year of the Yongle reign (1417) during the Ming Dynasty, it was originally called Chengtian Gate. It was renamed Tiananmen in 1651 after reconstruction during the Qing Dynasty. The gate is an architectural masterpiece, standing 33.7 meters high with five arches and nine towers. At the base is a beautifully carved white marble platform, atop which is a strikingly decorated red and white platform supporting the grand gate building.

The gate is situated above the shimmering waters of the Golden Water River, with five exquisitely crafted white marble bridges crossing it. In front of the gate stand two pairs of majestic stone lions and ornate pillars, creating a harmonious architectural ensemble.

On October 1, 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong declared the founding of the People’s Republic of China from the Tiananmen Gate, raising the first Five-Star Red Flag. Since then, the gate has become a symbol of the new China and is featured prominently in the national emblem.

Location: East Chang’an Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing (between Tiananmen and Zhengyangmen).

Type: Public Square

Suggested Visit Duration: 0.5-1 hour

Opening Hours:

• Before flag-raising (1 hour in summer, 30 minutes in winter) to after flag-lowering (1 hour in summer, 30 minutes in winter). Other times are cleared for security reasons and may be adjusted based on the season and traffic conditions.

Tiananmen Gate Opening Hours:

• Off-season (November-February): 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, tickets stop selling at 4:00 PM.

Ticket Information:

• No entry fee for the square.
• Ticket to Tiananmen Gate: 15 yuan for adults, 5 yuan for students and seniors over 70, free for active-duty military personnel.