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Tian’anmen Square is a modern creation, China being a land where large public gathering places were not traditionally built. Its construction broke down walls of the Forbidden City to make way for the large thoroughfare, Chang'an Jie. Previously Tian’anmen Square was occupied by imperial offices which were inside the Forbidden City and connected the Temple of Heaven to Qianmen and the palace.
Tian’anmen (translated from Chinese: The Gate of Heavenly Peace) is the original gate of the Imperial Palace, commonly known as the Forbidden City. It is now one of the entrances for tourists visiting the Forbidden City.
Built and burned down a few times starting in 1417, its recent incarnation dates to 1651. Today it is a world recognised symbol of where Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung) declared the foundation the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949.
Tian'anmen Gate, or the Gate of Heavenly Peace, bounds the northern end of the square in the centre of city proper. It was first built in the 15th year of the Ming Emperor Yongle (1417 A.D.) as the main gate leading to the Forbidden City in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
It is 33.7 metres high over the moat (Jinshui River, or Gold Water River) to each of the gate ways. There are two pairs of vigorous stone lions and cloud pillars (marble pillars). All of these make Tian'anmen magnificent and beautiful. It is indeed a perfect masterpiece in its architectural design and artistic form.
Tian'anmen Gate is the symbol (emblem) of New China.
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