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Fly kites and run around – Tiananmen Square is
wide and flat, and you can buy and fly kites (kite flying is a Chinese national
pastime). The kites may be a lot harder to fly that they look – get
some Chinese kids to help you out. |
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Qianmen Gate & Jianlou (Archery Tower) – At
the southern end of the square stand two large tower buildings, the Qianmen
Gate and Jianlou. Both the gate and archery tower are part of the old
city wall that once guarded Beijing, and part of the original entrance
to the Imperial Palace. Qianmen Gate (Zhengyang Gate), built in 1420 and
beautifully preserved, was one of the tallest buildings at the time. Climb
up Qianmen Gate for views of Tiananmen Square and Mao's Memorial Hall
to the north, and the Jianlou to the south. Also, check out the model of
what the square looked like in the Qing dynasty. |
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Mao Zedong Memorial Hall – Inside the Memorial
Hall is Mao Zedong's tomb, a crystal casket with Mao dressed in a blue gray
suit, draped with the red Communist flag. People bring flowers to Mao's
tomb, and as you file by, you might see people weeping. The line into the
Hall looks two miles long, but it moves fast. Before getting in line, check
your bags – you're not allowed to bring in anything, especially cameras.
Visiting Mao's tomb really isn't recommended for younger children, unless
you're sure they can be respectful and very quiet inside (this is not the
place to get antsy). |
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Wax Museum (China National Museum) – Inside the
China National Museum (which combines the Museum of Chinese History &
Museum of the Chinese Revolution), check out the new wax museum. This is
a fun introduction to Chinese history and popular culture for kids. Life-like
figures of poets, politicians, artists and sports figures, including, Yang
Liwei (Chinese astronaut), Yao Ming (basketball player), Mao Zedong, Doctor
Sun Yat-sen, Confucius, Emperor Kangxi of the Qing dynasty. |
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Flag-raising ceremony – At sunrise and sunset,
watch the Chinese national flag raised or lowered. This is a formal event,
soldiers march out in formation, and precisely raise or lower the flag to
coincide with sunrise or sunset. Don't expect to get too close to the flag
pole – Chinese and foreign spectators crowd in to see the flag raising,
but the ceremony does leave a lasting impression. On the first of each month,
a full-fledged military band also plays the national anthem. |
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Tiananmen Gate – Tiananmen Gate, also called the
"Gate of Heavenly Peace" is the southern entrance to the Forbidden
City (Imperial Palace). The gate has five rounded arch doorways, and seven
Golden Water Bridges – the central bridge was used by the Ming and
Qing emperors only, the other bridges were for royalty and court officials.
From the wide tower, emperors read out proclamations, and this is spot where
Mao stood in 1949 and declared a new China. Step through the Tiananmen Gate
(just like the emperors), and you'll enter the Forbidden City. |
