A gateway to history

Tian'anmen, or the "Gate of Heavenly Peace", was first built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in the early 15th century along the northern edge of Tian'anmen Square. It marked the entrance to the Forbidden City, which served as the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties for some five centuries.

Designed by an architect named Kuai Xiang, the Tian'anmen Rostrum stands 34.7 m tall. The grand platform is propped up by 60 pillars, 2 m in diameter.

There are five gates at the rostrum, with the central one reserved for the emperor. The emperor's parents, empress and zhuangyuan (top scholar in the imperial exam for civil servants) could also enter through the central gate.