The Tiananmen Square (天安門) is a square in the heart of Beijing. The name derives from the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen) in the north. With an area of 440,500 square metres, it is the fourth largest in China.
Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen) was first designed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty and served as entrance to the Imperial City. Today it is one of Beijing’s landmarks and one of the national symbols of China.
Every morning there is a ceremony on the square to raise the national flag of China. At sunset the flag is raised again and the square is closed to the public. Both events are a popular photo opportunity for tourists.
