| Every visitor to Beijing
gravitates to Tian'anmen Square which has become the pulse of this exciting
city of contrasts. It has been said that it can accommodate over one million
people in the 122 acres, and is the largest square in the world.
This area has attracted Beijing
citizens and visitors since the mid 17th Century, but only in the late
1950's was it formally laid out. Since then many changes have been made
to the original concept. In late 1998 and for nearly half of 1999, the
square was closed for a complete refurbishing in anticipation of the October
1, 1999 50th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of the People's Republic
of China.
The square has been the site
of many momentous events such as the declaration of the People's Republic
of China in 1949, the rallies launching the Cultural Revolution in 1966,
the deaths of Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai in 1976 when millions of mourners
packed the square, and 1989 when student protestors
occupied the square for
nearly two months while the world watched the events unfold on TV's in
their
living rooms. In June, 1989
government troops and tanks brought the event to a violent conclusion.
On
each 5th year anniversary
the government hosts huge military parades highlighting their military
might
and capabilities. The largest
of these events occurred on October 1, 1999 when the 50th anniversary was
celebrated.
Surrounding the square are
the Great Hall of the People, Museum of Chinese History and the Museum
of Chinese Revolution, Mao
Zedong Mausoleum, and the Qianmen Gate. On the north end is the Gate of
Heavenly Peace which is
the entrance to the Forbidden City, or Palace Museum as it is sometime
called.
The Gate Tower has a large
portrait of Chairman Mao displayed over the entrance. At the center of
the
square stands the Monument
to the People's Heroes. |
