Tienanmen Square

Tienanmen Square: Beijing

-Christina Benitez

A main attraction of Beijing is Tienanmen Square. It is the Sweeping Square Of The Gate Of Heavenly Peace. It is also known as the "soul" of China. The Square is composed of paving stones and has been the scene of the 1989 student demonstrations and their violet climax. It is also the center of the Communist universe and a enormous statement of state power. Chairman Mao is buried here and the monolithic Chinese parliament overlooks the square.

Today, Tienanmen Square has become the backdrop to vast military parades that go along the northern perimeter of Chang'an Jie (Avenue of Eternal Peace).

The square has an authoritative design but has become a "battleground" for the tussle between government and disaffected groups. However, the square acts as a huge park, with couples strolling hand in hand, children playing, and enthusiastic kite flying. The view here is said to be astonishing. In the early evening, soldiers of the PLA troop out to lower the Chinese flag, which attracts large crowds of people. The square brings together the city's people.

There are many soviet style monuments. To the north is Tienanmen Gate, with its huge portrait of Mao. South is the Mao Zedong Mausoleum. The hall was constructed the year after Mao's death in 1976. To the very south lies the Quanmen Gate which is one of the few remaining gates of the old wall of Peking. The West side of the square is dominated by the Great Hall of the People, where China's parliament meets. Visitors can enter the building when the National People's Congress is not in session. Opposite of this site is the Museum of the Chinese Revolution and the Chinese History Museum.