Pictures from our June 2006 visit: Tiananmen Square

Scene of the tragic student demonstrations in 1989, Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world (880m by 500m; 440,000 m²). Open to the public, each sunrise the national flag is hoisted with military precision.

The Tiananmen Gate has survived since 1651. Along the square are the Monument to the People's Heroes (1958), Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall (where Mao lies in state), the Arrow Tower, and Qianmen. On the west side is the Great Hall of the People, Museum of the Chinese Revolution and the Museum of Chinese History.