Page 21 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Beijing

Tian’an Men Square ❮❮ 19

Bicycles
National Flag
7 9 CITY WALLS
The Chinese flag
While there are
flies at the northern end allegedly 10 million bikes It was during the Ming
of Tian’an Men Square. registered in Beijing, era (1368–1644) that
People’s Liberation Army every day as many as the walls took on their
(PLA) soldiers raise the 1,300 new cars are recognizable shape of
flag each day at dawn added to the city’s an outer wall with seven
and lower it back down congested roads. Smog gates, and an inner wall
again as the sun begins levels in the city are a with nine gates. Rather
to set over the city. serious problem. tragically, almost all was
demolished in the 1950s
and 1960s, although a
small portion still stands
south of Beijing Station.
Today the gates are
remembered in the
names of the subway
stations situated on the
Second Ring Road.
Tian’an Men Square
2 7 4 0 1

C H A N G 'A N J I E

GUANGCHANG

XIJIAOMIN GUA N GCH A NG X I CE LU DONGCE LU
XIANG
Mao’s Mausoleum
8 DONGDA JIE
QIANMEN
In an imposing hall at the center of Tian’an
Men Square lies the embalmed body of Mao
Zedong, who died in 1976. Encased in a crystal
casket and draped in a red flag, the founding 8 5 3 6
father of Communist China is raised from his
Monument to
refrigerated chamber for daily public viewings. 0
the Heroes
NEED TO KNOW Qian Men: 6522 9384; Erected in 1958, the
granite monument (below)
MAP L5 • Subway: open 8:30am–4pm is decorated with bas-
Tian’an Men West, Tian’an daily; adm ¥20 reliefs of episodes from
Men East, or Qian Men Railway Museum: 6705 the nation’s revolutionary
National Museum of 1638; open 9am–5pm history and
China: 6511 6400; open Tue–Sun; adm ¥20 calligraphy from
9am–5pm Tue–Sun (Jul Tian’an Men: 6524 3322; Communist
& Aug: 8am–6pm Tue– open 8:30am–4:30pm veterans Mao
Sun); free with valid ID daily; adm ¥15 Zedong and
Zhou Enlai.
Mao’s Mausoleum: 6513
2277; open 8am–noon • Entry to Tian’an Men
Tue–Sun; free with valid Square comes with
ID; taking in handbags, thorough security
backpacks, cameras, food, checks, so schedule
and drinks is prohibited plenty of time for lines.

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