Tiananmen Gate - Symbol of New China
Posted by China Tour on February 15, 2008 at 12:10 amSituated on the heart of Beijing, Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) was initially erected in 1417, known as Chengtianmen (Gate of Receiving Orders from Heaven). It was rebuilt and given its present name. The gate itself consists of a grand platform surmounted by a wooden nine-bay gate-tower and five vaulted gateways below the gate-tower. The magnificent gate-tower has a double roof of yellow glazed tiles and vermilion columns. Before and behind the gate-tower is a pair of white marble ornamental columns respectively. In front of Tiananmen is the Gold Water River with five white marble bridges crossing it, where Tiananmen Square lies further ahead.
The late Chairman Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China from the rostrum of Tiananmen on October 1, 1949.