Tiananmen Square

Beijing, China

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Tiananmen Square is the symbolic heart of Beijing and one of the most historically charged public spaces in the world. Spanning over 440,000 square meters, it’s among the largest city squares globally and has witnessed some of the most pivotal moments in modern Chinese history.

Located just south of the Forbidden City, it’s flanked by monumental landmarks like the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. The square’s name means “Gate of Heavenly Peace,” referencing the grand gate that separates it from the Forbidden City.

It was here on October 1, 1949, that Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China—a moment still commemorated annually with parades and ceremonies. The daily flag-raising ceremony at sunrise draws crowds of locals and tourists alike, a solemn ritual set against the backdrop of the Monument to the People’s Heroes.

Tiananmen Square is also known internationally for the 1989 pro-democracy protests, which ended in a military crackdown on June 4. The image of a lone man standing in front of a column of tanks—often referred to as “Tank Man”—has become an enduring symbol of resistance and is one of the most iconic photographs of the 20th century.