Beijing Sightseeing: Tiananmen Square / Gate of Heavenly Peace

Early the next morning, we started our tour at Tiananmen Square. There isn't much to see in the square itself as it is really just one large empty square, albeit one of the largest in the world. The small building near its southern end is the Chairman Mao Mausoleum. There was a long line of visitors waiting to see to embalmed body. Near its northern end there is a simple obelisk. It's the Monument to the People's Heroes. On either side of the square there some humongous, non-descript buildings housing the Great Hall of the People, home of the National People's Congress, and a couple of museums.

It was tempting to just briskly walk through the windy emptiness. But that would have been a mistake. For one thing, whether we like it or not, this was ground zero of the People's Republic. This was as much Communism as we would see in China. Our tour guide tried to share the excitement many Chinese felt just being able to stand where we were. This was the place where critical events in China's modern history took place. The May Fourth Movement of 1919. The founding of the People's Republic. Not to mention the pro-democracy events of 1989.

There were some people flying kites. With no kite-eating trees anywhere in site, this may be a good place for you to visit, Charlie Brown.

At the northern end of the square lies the Gate of Heavenly Peace. This is one of the most recognizable Chinese landmarks. A huge picture of Chairman Mao hangs from its center. Walking through the gate took us to the entrance to the Forbidden Palace.

Resources
	Guide Books: Beijing \| China