Tian’anmen was the front gate of the
Imperial Palace during the Ming and Qing
dynasties. Originally built in 1417 and
named Chengtianmen, it was burnt down
and rebuilt several times. The present
gate tower was rebuilt in 1651 and
renamed Tian’anmen. Ming and Qing
emperors would issue decrees from the
gate tower and pass through it when they
went to the Temple of Heaven in early
winter, the Temple of Earth in early
summer and to the Temple of agriculture
in early spring, or when he led troops
on an expedition. The gate has five
openings and nine tiers of eaves. Two
pairs of white marble pillars stand
inside and outside the central opening.
Each stone pillar has a stone beast
crowching on top and carvings of clouds
and a dragon around it. There are also
two pairs of stone lions inside and
outside of the gate. After the founding
of new China in 1949 reviewing stands
were built on the two sides of the gate.
In spring and autumn flowers in front of
the reviewing stands attract many
visitors. Five white marble bridges span
the Golden Water River which flows in
front of the Tian’anmen. In front of the
gate is the world’s largest open ground
in the city -- the Tian’anmen Square.
Huabiao in front of Tian’anmen
In ancient China ornamented stone
pillars were often erected by a bridge,
palace hall or city wall as an ornament
or landmark. The huaobiao in front and
behind Tian’anmen were carved out of a
whole piece of white marble and bear
exquisite carvings in relief. They are
the best of huabiao in the country.
Great Hall of the People
It serves as the meeting place of the
National People’ s Congress. The immense
building is divided into the meeting
hall of 10, 000 seats, banquet hall for
5, 000 guests and offices of the
Standing Committee members. It takes up
an area of 170, 000 square meters. The
national emblem hangs above the front
gate.
Monument to the People’s Heroes
The monument is dedicated to those who
died for the national independence and
freedom since 1840. It is 37.94 meters
high and occupies an area of 3, 000
aquare meters. On the from side which
faces Tian’ anmen is eight gilt Chinese
characters in Chairman Mao Zedong’ s
handwriting:" People’ s Heroes Are
Immortal". An inscription on the
backside is the handwriting of the late
Premier Zhou Enlai. |