A short guide about Active travel to Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square, the largest open urban square in the world and the site of several key events in China’s history, most infamously the student protests in 1989; most people can probably recall the peaceful demonstrations for democracy on this square that resulted in the killing of an unknown number of students (figures range from 300 to 3,000 victims). The square, where Mao announced the founding of the People's Republic of China, got its name from the Tiananmen, or "Gate of Heavenly Peace," on the southern part that leads up to the Forbidden City. Several ancient, massive gates, such as the Tuenanmen Gate, the Qianmen Gate and the Xuanwumen Gate, mark the square.
The Square is lit with huge lampposts which also sport video cameras and it is heavily monitored by uniformed and plain clothes policemen. Used as a massive gathering place since its inception, its flatness is broken only by the 38 metre high ‘Monument to the People's Heroes’ completed in 1958, a tribute to those who died fighting for working class Chinese in the Boxer Rebellion and the revolution. This is also the place where you can visit the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, completed in 1977 (Mao's Mausoleum) and the Great Hall of the People, along the west side of the Square. To the east side is the National Museum of China (dedicated to Chinese history predating 1919) and Chang'an Avenue, which is used for parades. Trees line the east and west edges of the Square, but the square itself is open, with neither trees nor benches.
Tourabout has a large number of tours visiting China that take you to this popular tourist destination. Tiananmen Square can be an educational experience, rich in culture with the history of China, a truly memorable journey for your whole family.