Modern times square

Many architectural icons in and around Beijing - the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Summer Palace - are testaments to the country's glorious distant past. On the other hand, to many Beijingers, Tian'anmen Square is a symbol of New China and the country's dynamic present.

Tian'anmen Square is the largest public plaza in the world, a vast paved meeting spot, uninterrupted by park benches or food stalls. The modern square sits on the site of past imperial plazas dating to at least the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is ringed by a series of famous buildings - the Great Hall of the People, Mao's Mausoleum and the National Museum of Chinese History. In 1949 Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of People's Republic of China in the square.

Today it is most famous among locals for the numerous grand ceremonies that take place. There are lavish parades on National Day; daily ceremonies to raise and lower the flag, which attract thousands of tourists, especially from elsewhere in China; ornate flower displays for special events, such as when the National People's Congress is in session; and celebratory fireworks to mark occasions such as the start of the Beijing Olympic Games.

At other times, the square attracts numerous Chinese and foreign visitors, who have come to socialize, to soak up the grandeur of the surroundings or simply to fly a kite and enjoy a sunny afternoon.

To witness a modern ritual in Tian'anmen, wake up early for the daily flag-raising ceremony at 5:30 am, or stop by at sunset when the flag is carefully lowered. Come early for a good view, as even such a large square quickly fills up with people clamoring for a glimpse of history in the making.

China Daily

(China Daily 08/24/2008 page15)