Located in the centre of Beijing, the square is just separated from the Forbidden City with the Tiananmen gate and is a must visit tourist site for visitors to China. Many Chinese citizens visit the city to take snap shots of themselves with the portrait of Chariman Mao. The square is vast, with paved stones stretching over seemingly endless stretch of space and is claimed to be able to hold one million people. In spite of the heavy security that almost rises to the level of that at airports, the atmosphere is congenial, relaxing and one can even enjoy a kite flying sessions if the weather and conditions permit.
The Tiananmen tower lies to the north end of the square and in the olden days, has been the place to throne the emperor and was limited to the visits of royalty. Enclosed in two rows of clear white marble railings in the centre of the square with eight large relic sculptures lies the largest monument known to China’s history. This granite monument dedicated to the People’s heroes was created in 1952 with the famous words of Chairman Mao scribbled on the monument ‘ People’s Heroes are Immortal’. The southern end of the square holds the Memorial hall of Chairman Mao himself, which contains his body in a crystal coffin and is regularly surrounded by garlands and wreaths of flowers.
The great hall of the people is an impressive building in the square with twelve marble posts in front in a protective stance while the central hall which is the foremost part of the three segments of the hall has marbled floors and crystal lamps hanging from its ceilings to add lustre and festivity to its exterior. The auditorium behind that can contain 10,000 while the banquet hall next to that can hold about 5000 people.
When it comes to serving people, there’s no place quite like the Raffles Beijing Hotel that can serve its visitors to a memorable stay like nowhere else. This Beijing hotel has been commended time and time again throughout its famous history where it was claimed as the ‘only deluxe hotel in the far east’ Lying in the heart of city’s business and commercial districts, this one hotel outsmarts a great many other Beijing luxury hotels with the oriental splendour within its walls, the mouth watering aroma of its culinary delights and its world class conveniences that blend well with the congeniality of its servicemen.