The Gate measuring 43.7 meters in height and with a facade of 62.77 meters wide was first constructed in the 15th year of Emperor Yongle's Reign in the Ming Dynasty (1417 AD), and has a history of over 500 years. This solemn architecture of national style with double eaves, has 60 grand red columns, 8 ball-shaped palace lanterns hanging high, white balustrade, yellow tiles, red beams and painted pillars, which in the arrangement of either colors or structures shine in its entirety, with the extraordinary beauty of harmony. Looking up, one sees the four roof-ridges with an orderly array of figurines of dragons, phoenix, lions, unicorns, heavenly horses, fighting bulls and other animals, which are vivid and brilliant. But under the up-turned roof-eaves, there are lightly painted graceful pictures of golden dragon and imperial seal, golden phoenix and imperial seal, dragon brocade and imperial seal, dragon phoenix and imperial seal etc. which are known as palace color pictures with a history of several hundred years. Among them, "The Golden Dragon and Imperial Seal", as the symbol of imperial power is the supreme one in standard. The Heavenly Peace Gate Tower, in part or whole is an embodiment of "honor, dignity, luxury, solemnity and magnificence."

On October 1st of 1949, Chairman Mao proclaimed on the Tiananmen Rostrum to the world "The People's Republic of China has been founded, and hence the Chinese People have stood up!"

Ascending to the Tiananmen Rostrum, one has a clear view of the slightly rippling Golden River, the marble bridges carved with coiling dragons, the imposing crouching stone lions, the sculptured marble columns, the solemn Monument to the People's Heroes, the grand Watch Tower of Qianmen, the flower beds, the green lawns, the thoroughfares, the skyscrapers etc, which so picturesque and fascinating, induce fantastic reveries.

Tiananmen Square

The Tiananmen Square on the north to south axis is at the center of Beijing city. It's the largest square in the world, encompassing an area of 14 hectares, and measuring 865 meters north to south, and 500 and 370 meters east to west on the northern and southern ends respectively.

The Five-Star Red Flag flutters high above the mid-point of the square's north side. Everyday, at dawn and dusk, the Guards march in unison to the foot of the flagstaff to hoist or lower the National Flag, saluted with eyes by the on-lookers.

The Monument to the People's Heroes towers over the center of the square. To its south lies Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall. The Chinese Revolutionary Museum and the Chinese History Museum stand to the east of the square, the Great Hall of the People to the west and the magnificent Heavenly Peace Gate Tower to the north. The Tower is adjoined on its left side by the Zhongshan Park and on the right side by the Working People's Palace of Culture. Opposite the tower in the far south is the Zhengyang Gate Tower. These fine and unique buildings arranged in perfect harmony add greater beauty and grandeur to the Tiananmen Square.

The Tiananmen Square is the people's square, where grand state ceremonies are held on important occasions.