Page 20 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Beijing

18 ❯❯ Top 10 Beijing Highlights

Tian’an Men Square

Tian’an Men Guangchang (Square of the Gate of Heavenly Peace) is
not the world’s most attractive public plaza. It also has unfortunate
associations with death, in the shape of Mao’s Mausoleum and in
the memories of the bloody climax of 1989’s pro-democracy rallies.
However, it is central to modern life in Beijing, surrounded by major
national institutions, and filled daily with visitors and kite flyers.
National
1 Tian’an Men 4
Museum
On October 1,
of China 1949, Mao proclaimed
This 1959 building on the the founding of the
eastern side of the square People’s Republic
combines the Museum of China from this
of Chinese History and massive Ming-dynasty
the Museum of the gate (right), where his
Revolution. Forty-eight huge portrait is still
galleries show Chinese prominently displayed.
history, art, and archae- The way to the Forbidden
ology exhibits (below). City is through here.

Railway
6
Museum
Built by the British in
Arrow Tower
Great Hall of
2 5 1906, China's first ever
the People
pas senger train station
Along with the
A monolithic structure Qian Men, the Arrow now houses a Railway
dominating the western Gate formed part of Museum. Perfect for train
side of the square, the a great double gate. enthusiasts, old photos,
Great Hall is the seat of The walls that once model trains, and a full-
the Chinese legislature. flanked the gate were sized replica of a modern
The vast auditorium and eventually demolished high-speed train driver's
banqueting halls are in the 20th century. cabin are on display.
open for part of every day
except when the People’s
Congress is in session.
Qian Men 3
Also known as
Zhengyang Men (“Sun-
facing Gate”), the “Front
Gate” (right) was built
during the Ming dynasty.
It was the largest of the
nine gates of the inner
city wall. It now houses
a city history museum.

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