Friday, November 16, 2007

Tiananmen Square (天安門廣場)

It is the world's largest public square at 440,000 sq metres, and is situated right in the heart of Beijing. We are now at the site of the infamous 1989 failed democratic movement when the world watched in horror as a Chinese protester tried in vain to block the advancement of an army tank. This is TIANANMEN SQUARE!!!! (Cue Lonely Planet music) ;)

We entered the square from the south end through the Zhenyangmen Gate. This used to to be the front gate of the Imperial City which was part of old Beijing.

The first thing we saw was a very long line of people who were waiting to enter this building, the Mausoleum of Mao Ze Dong aka Chairman Mao.

At the centre of the park stood the Monument To The People's Heroes flanked by the National Museum to the east....

And to the west is the Great Hall of The People which is the venue of the legislature, the National People's congress.

As you could see, it was a very windy morning, and coupled with the 8ºC temperature made for a very chilly time....

...which was why I was all completely wrapped up.... and still my ears got numb with cold.... sigh... forgot my earmuffs....

This is the Gate of Heavenly Peace (天安門) which is situated at the northern end of the square. The soldier standing at attention was really good at his job. He didn't even flinch one bit throughout the time we were taking pics (and making funny faces at him hehehe).

This gate is also the entrance to the Forbidden City and hanging at the front of the gate is this enormous portrait of their beloved Chairman Mao Ze Dong.

Hmmm.... I wonder if this is where the cartoonists got their inspiration for the Lion King....

As we entered through the Gate into the Forbidden City, I turned back to take one last look at the square.

1 comment:

OiNK!! said...

you went on a tour ?? horrors!