The Tiananmen Rostrum is located in the northern end of Tiananmen Square, the center of
Beijing, which is the capital of People's Republic of China, facing Chang'an Avenue. The opposite site of it is the People's Heroes Monument in
Tiananmen Square and
Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, the Great Hall of the People and National Museum of China. It is one of the most magnificent buildings in ancient China. It attracts worldwide attention with outstanding architecture and special political status. On October 1, 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong solemnly declared: "The Central People's Government of the PRC established!" on the Tiananmen Rostrum. And he personally raised the first flag. The pattern of The Tiananmen Rostrum appears in the national emblem of the People's Republic of China, become a symbol of the People's Republic China.
Structure
The Tiananmen Rostrum used to be called “Chengtian Gate”. It was originally the main entrance of the Imperial City in Ming and Qing dynasties, built in the Ming Yongle fifteenth years in 1420. It was reconstructed and renamed as “The Tiananmen Rostrum” by Shunzhi Emperor. The Tiananmen is 33.7 meters high. It is built on base that is 1.59 m high. There are 60 towering pillars on the rostrum. The ground is paved with golden bricks. The door arches and ceiling joists are painted over Chinese traditional auspicious patterns and dragon paintings. There are five arched gates for The Tiananmen Rostrum. Among them, the one in the middle was used for going out and in for only the emperor. Like other official buildings of the empire, the gate has unique imperial roof decorations. In front of the stands is the palace moat, still filled with water but now containing decorative illuminated fountains.
The Tiananmen Rostrum was the place to give important orders during Ming and Qing dynasties. It was only used when a new emperor ascended the throne, the wedding of emperors or other major celebrations. The western and eastern walls have giant placards; the left one reads "Long Live the People's Republic of China" (Chinese: 中华人民共和国万岁; pinyin: Zhōnghuá rénmín gònghéguó wànsuì), while the right one reads "Long Live the Great Unity of the World's Peoples" (Chinese: 世界人民大团结万岁; pinyin: Shìjiè rénmín dà tuánjié wànsuì).
How to get there
You can take Beijing Metro Line No.1, or Buses No.1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20, 22, 37, 52, 728, then get off at East gate of Tiananmen Square. Or you can take Beijing Metro Line No.2, Buses No. 9, 17, 22, 44, 48, 59, 66, 67, 69, 71, 120, 673, 690, 692, 729, 808, 826, 901, and get off at the front door of Tiananmen Square.
►Recommended Beijing tour: 4 Days Best Beijing Tour
(Attractions: Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall, Changling Tomb)
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