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Tiananmen Square (天安门广场)

1 September 2008By Zhu 11 Comments

Tiananmen

For some, Tiananmen Square will remain the place where the tragic and absurd happened: in 1989, the Chinese government brutally repressed pro-democratie protests and demonstrations. Tiananmen square is also the place where Mao Zedong proclaimed the People’s Republic of China on October 1st 1949, and where many movements started, such as the May 4th Movement.

Today, Tiananmen Square remains one of the symbol of Mao’s disillusion of grandeur, a huge square — the biggest in the world — dedicated to him, China, the “people’s heroes”, and jealously guarded night and day by the Party. The lampposts sport video cameras and the square itself is heavily monitored by uniformed and plain clothes policemen… Yet, a lot of Chinese still gather on Tiananmen to watch the flag ceremony either at dusk or at down, take picture, fly kites or just visit the site of so many key event in Chinese modern and contemporary history.

Arriving On Tiananmen

Hanging Out On Tiananmen

Little Girl Among The Crowd

Souvenirs

Guarding The Square

$Mao\'s Mausoleum$

Mao's Mausoleum

$China\'s National Museum$

China's National Museum

Chang An Jie

Changing The Guards

Lowering The Flag

$People\'s Heroes Monument$

People's Heroes Monument

In Front Of Qianmen

11 Comments »

Zhu (author) said:

@durano lawayan – I think most Chinese just think of Mao as an historical figure but definitely in good and in bad now. People are quite critical and since China is moving forward, its print is slowly being erased. A silly thing for example: in 1999, the “Mao lighter” was sold everywhere… I couldn’t find it anymore.

As for selling pictures… I’d love too! I’m looking into it actually. Thanks for your encouragements!

@Annie – This is one thing I’m always confused with in India. AS you said, there are several regions and each has its history, culture, language maybe. China, probably because of the politics, is very much centered on Beijing and is much more East – West. I guess in India I have to look at each region individually. Not sure if I’m clear, I’m sleepy, sorry!