Tian An Men Square a day before the 16Th Party Congress in 2002. Police Busses dot the square, visitors bags are checked.
The Monument to the Heroes of the Revolution and the Great Hall of the Peoples in the distance.
( Photo taken from Tian An men Square's Eastern Flank in front of the Museum of the Revolution and Chinese History )
Tian An Men , or the Gate of Heavenly Peace at DongChangÁn Jie and TiananMen Squares Northern Flank. Behind the traffic at Beijing's busiest avenue , TiananMen and the Southern Buildings of the Forbidden City are clearly visible.
The Famed Tian 'An Men, has seen it's fair share of history. Originally constructed during the Yongle Reign of the Ming Dynasty, a time when proclamations from the Emperor were read to the People from the platfrom of the Gate, the Old Gate has stood the tests of Time to see two Dynasties, an End to Feudal Rule, the Departure of the last Emperor and the arrival of Mao Zedong to proclaim the founding of the New Nation, the Peoples Republic of China.
Today the Gate of Heavenly Peace is one of the great symbols for the City of Beijing and the chosen symbol of National Power under the Communist Party Government. Dominating TiananMen Square's Northern side, and with a stories high portrait of Great leader Mao Zedong attached on its Facade, the Gate still is the contact point, focus of political communication between the higher up and the common, that it was originally intended as. The Gate of Heavenly Peace traditionally is where the Leadership holds its Grand Military Parades to review the Troops, celebrate the founding of the Nation and hold vitally important speeches. And there is much more to its history. Find out more on the dedicated page on the Gate of Heavenly Peace.
The Gate of New China, so named after the 1949 Revolution and the creation of "New China" under Chairman Mao, is located on Chang An Avenue, just West of Tian an Men (Gate of Heavenly Peace) and The Great Hall of the Peoples. Watch the Flag Raising- and Lowering Ceremonies, a copy of the One Held at TiananMen Square !
Xinhua Men is the Gate to ZhongNanHai, once an Imperial Park, now the New Forbidden City and home to China's Communist Party Leadership.
Welcome to the world famous and renowned TiananMen Square , the Square of Heavenly Peace at the political heart of China's People's Republic. Monuments include remnants of the Former Front Gate, The Great Hall of The People, The National Museum, The Monument to the Heroes of the Revolution, the China National Flag, TiananMen The Gate and ofcourse the Famed Mao Zedong Memorial Mausoleum. Walk around the largest square parading ground in the World and enjoy the sights, sounds & scenes.
China and Beijing's number one podium bringing you the absolute best and finest in both Chinese- and Western style classical music. Now Open and in Operation after Years of Construction this Jewel of the city is without comparison in all aspects.
A Modern Architecural wonder in the Monumental Historic Center of Beijing, as well as a unique chance to see some of the best virtuosos live in concert.The National Theatre as this new Silver Dome is called, Houses the Concert Hall, a Cinema, shops and much much more.
A New Update after opening of this Huge Complex behind and west of the Great Hall of The Peoples.
A map of the wider TiananMen Square area plus Forbidden City Area and surroundings. A map of the wider Palace Museum / Forbidden City area , with the Palace Moat, Zhongshan Park and the Park of the Peoples Culture Included. Very Accurate Map of The Imperial Palace Museum Grounds, including names of all Pavillions and the area of Zhongshan Park and the Park of the Peoples' Culture
(Both between TiananMen en Wumen Gate)
No building left out !
TiananMen (Sq.) and Palace Museum Maps
Webstyle produced NavBar
ChinaReport.comat
Source DVD's
"Oct. 1st National Day Military Review & Mayday Celebrations in TiananMen Square"
The Great Leap (Forward) - Communism in China, find out about it and see the Documentary !
- Click Here
A Panoramic view along the North Side of TiananMen Square with an illuminated Gate of Heavenly Peace and lights of Chang An Jie' - Eternal Peace Avenue.
The widest Boulevard in Asia and now part of the Longest Avenue as well, East Chang An- Eternal Peace Avenue has always been a main route and a place where things happened in Beijing. In the Past the scene of impressive and Grand Military Reviews, Parades of Eager Communist Youth and Bloody Protest, today's Chang An Avenue is modern and booming. With the No.1 Historic and Elitist Hotel in Beijing as well as Oriental Plaza and Chang An Club, Chang An keeps happening into the 21st Century.
The Northern Side of the largest square in the world, TianAnMen Square - The Square of Heavenly Peace is formed by Eternal Peace Avenue - Chang An Jie', on the North Side of which stands the World Famous Tian'An Men - Gate of Heavenly Peace.
As for symbolism, The Gate of Heavenly Peace is full of it. Not only is Tian'An Men the traditional Gate where, during the Feudal Past, the communicee's from the Emperor were read out to the Public from it's Platform, it is also the very place where Mao Zedong declared the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China, a New China led by the People, on October 1st of 1949 AD. Hence, the depiction of the Gate has grown to become the National Symbol, if you will the Logo of the Nation, and has been included in the Official Seal of the Government of the Peoples Republic of China.
In the situation created with the reconstruction of Tian'AnMen Square during the 1950's, the Gate of Heavenly Peace became the Border Gate of the New and the Old. The new China was created outside of the Gate, whereas within the Gate lay the Past. There, north of the current Political Center of the Nation formed by TianAnMen Square, still lies the Ancient Palace of the Emperors, the old political center, The Palace Museum, now fully restored and well-visited as the Main Tourist Attraction of Beijing and one of the most Famous Museums in the World.
In the beginning of the 1950's, during the reconstruction of Tian'AnMen Square into the Architectural Wonder of the modernizing nation and the Modern Propagandist Masterpiece proclaiming the Chinese Revolution, Eternal Peace Avenue was widened in order to receive the giant Military Reviews and Political Parades intended for the Future. In the process it grew to into an 8 Lane Boulevard, the widest in Asia Entire.
Bicyclist drive home from work past the Gate of Heavenly Peace on a misty day in November 2004 AD
The Route of the Military Reviews leads up Dong Chang An Avenue, then past the Former Gate of the Imperial City and onto Tian'An Men Square. From the Corner the Paraded Vehicles and Soldiers then move along the North Side of the Square to Tian'An Men - The Gate and symbol of the Nation where they are reviewed by the Government's Highest Officials and Guest awaiting on the Platform of the Gate of Heavenly
Due West on West Eternal Peace Avenue, just around the corner of Tian'AnMen Square and behind the Great Hall stands a new building the completely modern New National Theatre of China, the Silver Dome of Beijing. This is also the location the TianAnMen Xi Subway Station, the north-western subway station giving access to Tian'An Men Square (not stations or exits are actually located at the Square itself).
Along the North Side of this stretch of Eternal Peace Avenue between Gate of Heavenly Peace and the
Modern National Theatre lie the extensive grounds of Zhongshan Park & Dr.Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Park. Both are former parts of the Imperial Palace and are now open to The Public as Parks and Museum. Still further West along West Eternal Peace Avenue, only a short walk from the National Theatre Dome stands the Gate of New China, the Xinhua Men, which gives access to the secluded ZhongNanHai Complex, the Home of the Upper Cadres of the Communist Party of China, who are the Leaders of the Nation. The ZhongNanHai Complex is very well guarded with both patrols and security camera's and is not open to the Public. There is however a considerable public interest for the Gate itself, which has both a 24 hour honor-guard in colorful dress uniform, and a miniature copy of the National Flaf Ceremonies, at dusk and at dawn.
It is one of the main thorough-fares of the Central City and thus filled with cars and buses at most Times.
Street, and the Oriental Plaza - For long the Biggest and Most Luxury Mall in the City. Furthermore along the South along it's length are the former Foreign Legations Quarter of Beijing with considerable history and currently the Home of Beijing City Government Buildings. Included are the Beijing Communist Party Headquarters, Police Headquarters and the National Ministry of Public Security.
Full Map of the Beijing Subway System of 2015 AD - Click Map for FULL Version !
A former Part of the Imperial Palace City of the Past, since 1949 AD the Park of the Peoples Culture is small and easily overlooked strip of green between Chang An - Eternal Peace Avenue and the Palace Museum of Today. From TianAnMen due East follow the flow of the Water while enjoying a garden landscape with rockeries, arched bridges and abundant flowers. Escape the City Heat and Noise at the Park of the Peoples Culture.
First and Foremost however, directly West from The Gate of Heavenly Peace lies the Gate and Entrance into Tai Miao, The Imperial Ancestral Temple. The Gate to Tai Miao is by no means Small however it is dwarfed by the Magnificence and Stature of the Gate of Heavenly peace, by reason of which it sits there in the North-Western Corner of TiananMen Square as if, hidden in plain sight.
Then, further East from Tai Miao South Gate, around the corner from TiananMen Square itself should be mentioned the Park of the Peoples Culture. The Park of the Peoples Culture follows Parallel with East Eternal Peace Avenue and hidden out of view
behind Reddened Walls. The Park of the Peoples Culture was once part of the Former Imperial City and Palace, hence the Red Walls, carries the outflow of the Palaces' Water-supply in a small river and is now a beautiful small Park for the enjoyment and leisure of the common Beijing Citizen and Visitor.
Along East Eternal Peace Avenue, at the height of the first section East off Tian'AnMen Square stands the entrance to the North-Western Subway/Metro Station giving access to TiananMen Square, the Tian'AnMen Dong Station.
( Appreciate the Unique Imperial Gardens design and Lay-out, compare with Beihai and other Northern lakes. ) This Area is not accesible to the General Public.
When Returning back from East Chang'An Avenue to the Tian'An Men - Gate of Heavenly Peace, one takes the Route of the
Grand Military Reviews. The Reviews are the Military Parades that are held every 10 years to Celebrate the Birth of the New Nation and check the readiness of the Troops, the Peoples Liberation Army. The Parade was first held in 1949 AD, after the Liberation of Beijing by Communist Forces under the High Command of Mao Zedong. The Parade was repeated later that Year with the inauguration ceremonies of the Peoples Republic of China on October 1st 1949 AD, famed by film clips and news-reels. They then went on to become a tradition by themselves by being held each year
West Eternal Peace Avenue - Xi Chang An Jie'
East Eternal Peace Avenue - Dong Chang An Jie'
The Square of Heavenly Peace is located at the very Center of the City of Beijing, just South of The Palace Museum.
The Square can be accessed from all directions, North-South and West through several pathways and is reachable by Bus, Metro/Subway, Car or Taxi, Rickshaw or Bicycle and on Foot. Some daring Tourist have even been spotted on Skates, but this is hardly advisable with current traffic levels.
The Only Thing to Remember is that no vehicles are alllowed to stop, drop off passengers or park immediately at TiananMen Square, TianAnMen Gate, or the two flanks formed by the Great Hall and the National Museum. There are no Bus Stops at the Square nor a Subway Station. In other words - you can get there, but you can't get off.
The Easiest Road to The Square of Heavenly Peace
therefor leads by Subway. Get off conveniently near the Square by traveling on the Cenral Red Line to TiananMen East- or West-Stations, or by the Circular Blue line to end up at QianMen Station, on the very southern Tip of TiananMen Square.
Please use the Below Satellite Image based Map of the Square of Heavenly Peace to navigate the Square, Monuments and various roads leading to and from the Square.
Souvenir Pin China Central Governement Emblem (Ti). Origin- TiananMen Sq, Beijing 2003.
Souvenir Pin China - TiananMen Gate with 5 starred China National Flag as background. Origin- WuMen, Palace Museum, Beijing 2005.
Peace, and naturally 100's of thousands of citizen's watching from the Space of The Square of Heavenly Peace.
The next Review is scheduled in 2019 AD, so if you are traveling to Beijing then, be aware of the crowds and hopefully, witness the event !
During the early days of New China, the TiananMen Square and nearby Area where transformed, shaping it into the New Political Center of China. For this purpose the Square was enlarged into the Largest Square in the World, and nearby Chang An Jie - Eternal Peace Avenue, as the main traffic artery leading up to the North of the Square and the Main ceremonial Gate was widened to allow for the holding Grandiose Military Parades and Mass Political Rallies.
Here, the Propagandist Architecture of the North End of the Square of Heavenly Peace comes fully into play. Being dominated by the Gate of Heavenly Peace, yet, when standing on the Public Side of Events, delicately ofset and balanced by the proudly waving National Flag and Guard and the
South of the National Flag, on the Central Axis of the Square stands the Monument to the Heroes of the Revolution (Renmin Yingxiang Jinian Bei) . Although by now not the most Glamorous and Noteworthy of all the 7 Monuments of The Square of Heavenly Peace, the Monument to the Heroes of the Revolution was the First Revolutionary Monument to be
Only One can Have the Biggest and the Tallest, and that is exactly what China's National Flag stand at Tian'AnMen Square is all about. Included as One of the Main Monuments of the Northern Section stands a giant Chinese Flag which is hoisted at Dusk and lowered at Dawn by a Fancy Ceremonial Guard that Marches in from the Forbidden City with a lot of Pomp. It is the biggest Flag in the Nation and the official National Flag, a must visit on the Square.
The National Flag at the Square is guarded around the day by an Honorary Guard, both of which are favorite subjects for photography on the Square. Guards stand at attention for a lenghth of Time, one guard in each of the wind directions. The groups of Guards march on- and off regularly to relieve eachother and allow for fresh and straight postures throughout the Day
Furthermore, there is a Flag Rasing Ceremony at Dawn and a Flag Lowering Ceremony at Dusk. On both occassions the traffic on Eternal Peace Avenue in front of the Gate of Heavenly Peace is stopped by Police, a Dead Silence Falls on the North of the Square, after which a large group of Guards emerges from the Gate to march across to TianAnMen Square. During the impressive Ceremony that follows the Guards present the
Flag, then hoist or lower it according to the occassion of the moment. Usually a crowd gathers to watch, especially in the afternoons when there is always a large interest in the Ceremony. Afterwards crowds quickly disperse and things are back to usual at The Largest Square in the World.
A Portrait of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, arch-father of the Revolution and the Communist Party as displayed in the North Section of TianAnMen Square in May of 2005 AD.
Guards marching out of the Gate of Heavenly Peace for the Flag Lowering Ceremony on the Square of Heavenly Peace.
A panoramic view of the National Flag of China and The Gate of Heavenly Peace in the Northern Half of the Square of Heavenly Peace in Beijing.
constructed at the Square, as decided upon in a very early stage by a resolution of the First Plenary Session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference adopted on November 30, 1949. This was the First ever such Conference held in China.
Seemingly dwarfed by the surrounding Monuments of Mao Memorial Hall to the South and The Great Hall of the Peoples and the National Museum on the Flanks, the Monument actually measures 10 stories in Height, to be exact some 37.94 meters.
The Main function of the Pillar is to commemorate the many Fallen Comrades of the Lengthy struggle to rid China from the Japanese and any other Foreign Meddlers, as well as the Civil War turn the corner and create a New China, a politically and economically healthy Nation that could stand the test of a New Internationalized World.
On the base pedestal of the Giant Pillar there are eight huge bas-relieves carved out of white marble depicting scenes from the 4 Revolutionary Episodes out of which the New China Arose. Here we see 8 depictions starting with the Burning of Opium, the political maneuver that triggered the First Opium War in 1840 AD, to the Final Scene of the crossing of the Yangtze River in 1948 AD, a crucial moment leading up to the Founding of the People's Republic by Mao Zedong in 1949 AD.
Dwell around the 3000 Square Meters on the North of The Square of Heavenly Peace taken up by the Monument to the Heroes of the Revolution. This gargantuan marble pillar was constructed from no less that 17.000 seperate pieces and has a height of some 38 metres or 10 Stories Tall. Guarded throughout the day by its own section of Guards, the Monumental Pillar gives Honor to the many 10's of thousands of Martyrs that came to China's rescue after the donfall of feudalism and the advent of a New World.
Source Book
"From Opium War to Liberation"
( available from our Online Store )
The Text on the Front of the Pillar therefor is by the hand of Mao Zedong himself, declaring : "Eternal glory to the People's Heroes!". There is another similar text on the back written by both Mao Zedong and his immediate assistant the Friendly, Handsome and respected Hero of the Revolution, Zhou Enlai.
To Great Hall of the Peoples West Street (Renmin Dahui Tang Xi Lu) and the National Theatre.
East
Easily navigate the various sections of the Square of Heavenly Peace using below Satellite Image and Pages with Fully detailed Descriptions of the 4 Section of North, South, Flanks and the Area around the South of the Giant Square, starting in the North and Ending Up in the very South around the Former Front Gate of the Imperial Capital of Emperors !
- Click Map Image to Enlarge Further -
Soundbonus: Western Styled Pop Song - "9 million bicycles in Beijing", By Katie Melua.
Bicyclist drive on the spacious lengths of West Eternal Peace Avenue at the approach to the Square of Heavenly Peace. Photo: April 2005 AD.
Intersecting with The Square of Heavenly Peace along it's Northern Side, Eternal Peace Avenue cannot be crossed on Foot. Instead, visitors to The Square must pass underneath Eternal Peace Avenue using pedestrian tunnels .
One such Tunnel is located on the East of the Gate of Heavenly Peace at the Height of the Gate into the Imperial Ancestral Temple, giving passage South to either the National Museum North Front,located directly across, or alternatively to The North-East Corner to end up within the fenced perimeter of The Square of Heavenly Peace.
The Other Tunnel is located in the West after passing The Gate of Heavenly Peace. The Passage here leads across underneath Eternal Peace Avenue, to either reappear at the North Front of The Great Hall of The People, or to go to the North-West Corner of The Square of Heavenly Peace to re-appear there.
One of the access stairs to the Pedestrian Walkway underneath Chang'An Avenue with The Gate of Heavenly Peace as a background during a snowy day in November 2003 AD.
In both cases, when coming up the Square of Heavenly Peace via stairs leading from the Tunnels, visitors are confronted by the Armed Special Police that has the responsibility of guarding the Square against attacks, or more often, any unwanted political protests, bannering and display. In the past, most tourists and other foreigners could simply ignore the guards and only Chinese Nationals were asked to show the contents of their backpacks and other bags. Since the beginning of 2007 AD, however, the situation has been changed, and all visitors must check their bags through a screening machine, before being allowed to proceed into the Square. Although inconvenient, this somehow seems more democratic.
The screening machine and security checks have remained after the ending of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the original purpose for which the enhanced security was installed.
As for the situation inside of the Tunnels, here one can get a rare hint of the special secrets of The Square of Heavenly Peace. Although a closely guarded secret never mentioned by any of the authorities, there is a network of several hidden tunnels underneath the Square of Heavenly Peace.
If one pays attention when passing through either of the two tunnels underneath Eternal Peace Avenue, one will notice members of the Armed Police. They are not just there to patrol the length of the tunnel, no, in fact their main interest is to be who guarding several clearly visible doors giving access to the secret passages running underneath the Square of Heavenly Peace. In the past, these in turn were connected to the wider network of shelters and tunnels once dug beneath the City during the late 1960's. These Tunnels are known as the Underground City of Beijing or officially, the Beijing Air Raid Shelters.
To be exact, at the height of the Square of Heavenly Peace, Eternal Peace Avenue counts a wide pedestrian walkway along it's North Length. South adjacent of which runs a Tiled Lane reserved for bicycles bordered off by a low white Fence. Then follow 8 driving Lanes, and yet another Lane reserved for bicycles only, running along the North Length of The Square of Heavenly Peace. Then follows again a low white fence, and a space reserved for patrolling guards and Police along the North of the Square and finally there is the especially crafted copper-colored fencing crafted with stars that surrounds the entire space of the Square.
The National Flag of China at The Square of Heavenly Peace is located immediatly across from the Gate of Heavenly Peace on the Central Axis of the Square. Interestingly, it was the first Revolutionary Monument to appear inside the Square, having first been flown during the Ceremonies on the Official Day of the Founding of the Nation, the October the 1st of 1949 AD. A Large and Identical Copy of the Chinese Flag has been flying at the North End of The Square of Heavenly Peace on each day eversince.
Beijing Normal Police Patrolling at The Square of Heavenly Peace underneath Tian'An Men.
Image from the Grand Military Review of May 1st of 1999 AD. An impressive mass display was put on for the Guest and Masses inside the packed square, including all branches of the fast modernizing Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and aircraft.
until 1959 AD, then in 1969 AD and again in 1984 AD and 1999 AD, the last Time in a Grandiose Style, on the Occasion of the 50Th Birthday of the People's Republic.
The Monument to The Heroes o/t the Revolution. the martyrs of Communist Party, on the cold and snowy day after the worst snow storms in Beijing in 20 Years, early November 2003 AD.
Similar to all the other Main Monuments, The Monument to The Heroes of the Revolution is guarded around the day by an Honorary Guard. One can only view the Pillar from a fair distance as Entrance to the Sacred White Marble surrounding the Monumental Pillar can only be gained by a letter of Official Permission, signed by the Guardians of the Square. Hardly anyone is allowed.
Browse around the Monument to dwell on the historic events of the Long Revolution such as the TaiPing Rebellion, the Humiliation of the Boxer War and the May the 4Th of 1919 AD, then followed by the struggle for National Unity against the Japanese Invaders, the Long March and a miserable Civil War. For Fun, have your picture taken with one of the Guards, or try getting a overall wide-angle shot of the Monument. This will turn out to be quite a challenge !
Monument to the Heroes of the Revolution, beyond of which stands the Huge and Impressive North Facade of Mao Zedong Memorial Hall. Although distant, it is as if from his Mausoleum, the Great Helsman still imposes himself at the Tian'AnMen, through his Army; the Heroes of the Revolution symbolized in their own Gigantic Monumental Pillar and through the masses of spectators (now visitors), the citizens of the Chinese Nation symbolized by the Huge National Flag, the largest and tallest in the Nation.
Guard in the Snow in front of the National Flag at TianAnMen Square.
