Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen is the main square of Beijing and one of the largest city squares in the world, more than eight hundred metres long. From the north the square is closed by the Gate of Heavenly Peace with its portrait of Mao Zedong, from the south by the Zhengyangmen archery tower, while the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum of China stand at its sides. In the centre rises the granite obelisk of the Monument to the People's Heroes, and behind it the mausoleum of Mao Zedong with its queue of visitors. Every morning the state flag is raised on the northern edge of the square, and thousands of people gather for the ceremony. Access to the square is free, but only through security screening and on production of a passport.

On the map