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Meaning ‘Gate of Heavenly Peace‘, Tiananmen Square is now, conversely, best known internationally for the protests that took place there in 1989 leading to the massacre of students and intellectuals. The most famous image of the square is probably the photo of ‘The Unknown Rebel’, the lone protestor facing down four tanks.

Prior to 1989 Tiananmen Square hosted numerous other major events in China’s history including the proclamation of the People’s Republic of China by Chairman Mao and subsequent anniversary celebrations and several other key labour protests.

The open, flat expanse of Tiananmen Square stretches between two massive sets of gates at either end, san trees or benches, only the 40m high carved pale stone plinth, the Monument to the People’s Heros and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong break the central concrete flatness. Floodlights with cameras and police patrol the edges.

The walls enclosing the Forbidden City run along one edge and a museum now runs along another.

For fact fiends, Tiananmen Square is also the world’s largest square: 800m x 500m.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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