Description: The great main gate to the
Forbidden City appears on the national emblem of the
People’s Republic of China and is recognised across the world.
The original gate was constructed in 1420 by Emperor
Yongle (1360-1424)of the
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) as a replica
paifang to that in Nanjing but, after burning down following a lightning strike in 1457, it was replaced by a more substantial design in 1465. Burnt down again by rebels at the close of the dynasty in 1644 it was rebuilt in 1645 by the victorious
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) who later gave it its current name, often misleadingly translated as
Gate of Heavenly Peace but more correctly as
Gate for Receiving the Mandate of Heaven. It was from here on October 1st 1949 that
Chairman Mao issued the proclamation of the People's Republic to the people gathered in
Tian’anmen Square below. The gate was covered up on the orders of Premiere
Zhou Enlai for alleged renovation in 1969 only to be secretly reconstructed for it’s unveiling in 1970.
The imposing 32m high building is fronted with a still flowing moat and guarded by four lions with great gashes in them supposedly inflicted by Qing Prince
Li Zicheng during his siege of 1644 when they offered protection to a Ming general. The flanking
huabiao columns were originally intended for commoner to post grievances on and the mythical
hou creatures that sit atop them are dubbed the
Callers of the Emperor after a legend that they called the supreme ruler from his slumbers during a time of great national suffering. The eaves are decorated with nine beasts showing this to be a building of the highest imperial rank. The latest addition is of course the giant image of Mao once the last in a series including Marx, Lenin and Stalin that was dubbed
the history of shaving, today these have been replaced by the slogans
Long Live the People's Republic of China and
Long Live the Unity of the People of the World.
Tian’anmen (daily 8:30am-4:30pm, ¥15) can be accessed, after purchasing your ticket and dropping off your bag at the luggage check, for the magnificent views across the square that have been enjoyed by the Party hierarchy annually since Mao’s proclamation for the mass rallies of
National Day. Inside is a Chinese only display on the gate's history, minus the bloody bits but including numerous photos of the various Chairmen enjoying the celebrations afterwards. The highlight of the display is a scale model of all that was swept away in the construction of the great square and the curious little booths the leadership relax in during their visits although the biggest crowds tend to gather around the balcony for photographs of themselves in Mao’s place.
The gate is truly iconic and the views that it offers across the square as well as the rare chance to put yourself in Mao’s shoes make it well worth a visit.
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