Facts about Tiananmen Square make you know more about a city square in Beijing, China. It is located separately from the Forbidden City. The name of the square, Tiananmen means Gate of Heavenly Peace. If you visit it, you can see the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, the National Museum of China, the Great Hall of the People and the Monument to the People’s Heroes. It plays an important role in the history of China. On 1st October 1949, People’s Republic of China was proclaimed by Mao Zedong in Tiananmen Square. The anniversary of the proclamation is held in the square annually. Here are other interesting facts about Tiananmen Square:
Facts about Tiananmen Square 1: the list of the largest city squares
Tiananmen Square spans on 109 acres or 440,500 m2 of area. Therefore, it is included in the top ten lists of the largest city squares in the world.
Facts about Tiananmen Square 2: Tiananmen Square protests
Tiananmen Square protests were held here in June 1989. The pro-democracy held their protest in the square. They were suppressed by the army.
Tiananmen Square
Facts about Tiananmen Square 3: the design and construction
The designing process and construction of Tiananmen Square took place in 1651. Since 1950s, the enlargement has taken place in the square four times.
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Facts about Tiananmen Square 4: Great Ming Gate
Great Ming Gate is found near the square center. During the Republican period, it was called Gate of China. During the Qing Dynasty, it was called Great Qing Gate. The gates are only ceremonial.
Facts about Tiananmen Square 5: the traffic of the common people
The side gates located at the eastern and western end of Tiananmen Square were used by the commoners for their pathways. “Chess Grid Streets” were created which turned as a busy marketplace due to the traffic diversion in the square.
Tiananmen Square Facts
Facts about Tiananmen Square 6: the Second Opium War
Beijing was invaded by the French and British soldiers in 1860. The Old Summer Palace was burned one, while the Forbidden City was spared.
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Facts about Tiananmen Square 7: the Gate of China
The square was enlarged after the demolition took place on the Gate of China in 1954. Tiananmen Square was expanded massively in November 1958. In August 1959, the construction was finished.
Facts about Tiananmen Square 8: Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong was a notable figure in China. He had a vision to make the most spectacular and largest square in China. The intention was that the square was capable to accommodate more than 500,000 people. That is why many structures and houses near the area were demolished to make the square larger.
Facts about Tiananmen Square
Facts about Tiananmen Square 9: the large portraits
The square features the large portrait of important figures like Joseph Stalin, Friedrich Engels, Karl Marx, Sun Yat-sen, Mao Zedong and Vladimir Lenin. Ge Xiaoguang was the famous artist who painted the portraits.
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Facts about Tiananmen Square 10: mausoleum
Tiananmen Square features a mausoleum of Mao Zedong. It was built near the former Gate of China after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976.
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Tags: city square in China
