Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is Beijing’s central square and is a symbol to China’s tradition and culture as it held several important events in the country’s history. It is among the top 10 largest city squares in the world, measuring over 440,000m2. It was built in 1651 and during the mid 1950s was enlarged four times from its original size.
Located in the north of the square is the Gate of Heavenly Peace of the Forbidden City, which was built during the Ming dynasty around the early 15th century. Other occupants of the square are: Monument to the People’s Heroes around the middle opposite the Forbidden City; Great Hall of the People on the west; National Museum of China on the east; and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, the proclaimed founder of the People’s Republic of China, around the centre.