Tian'anmen square (Gate of Heavenly Peace) was and is considered as the centre of
Beijing, not only because of its location but also because it is a symbol of
power. Tian'anmen is the front gate of the Forbidden City, the gate leading to
the supreme power in imperial times. The tower over the gate was used for grand
ceremonies in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, for instance, issuing imperial
edicts. In modern China, it is also a symbol of power. From the tower of
Tian'anmen, on October 1, 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of
the new China. On National Day each year, the tower is used as a rostrum for
reviewing the mass assembly.
Classic tours
