Day 2: Beijing: Tiananmen Square

While our first day in Beijing was somewhat easy, our second day was rather busy. We started by walking from our hotel to Tiananmen Square, which is the world's largest square and home to Chairman Mao's mausoleum on the southern end of the square. While Dr. Liu said the mausoleum was open to the public, it certainly didn't appear that way. Surrounding the square to the east and west are numerous People's buildings (i.e. the Great Hall of the People, etc.) to the east and west. To the north is the famed Forbidden City, home to the emporers of the Ming and Qing dynasties (ca. 1400-1911). On the surface, Tiananmen Square appears to be a tourist trap, but while walking around, it is hard to forget the history that occurred there and the televised images of tanks rolling in to stop pro-democracy demonstraters kept running through my head the entire time we were there.

Tiananmen Square

Flags

Monument to the People's Heros

Chairman Mao Mausoleum
Looking north towards the enterance to the Forbidden City, the Gate of Heavenly Peace