Admire Tiananmen Square

'Tiananmen' means 'Gate of the Heavenly Peace', and the incredible public space, Tiananmen Square, acts as the gateway to the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. At 400,000 square metres, Tiananmen Square is the world's largest public square and is a must-see when visiting China; however, it is the famous buildings and monuments that surround the square which make a visit worthwhile.

Unlike other public squares, there are no bustling cafés and tacky souvenir shops. Instead, visitors find themselves surrounded by icons like the Tian'anmen Gate, dating to the 15th century, and Tiananmen Tower to the north. Other points of interest within view include the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall to the south, the Great Hall of the People to the west, and the China National Museum to the east. Right in the centre is the Monument to the People's Heroes. Over the last century, many important ceremonies, including the founding of the People's Republic of China by Chairman Mao in 1949, have taken place here, making Tiananmen Square as important locally as it is to visitors.