Gate of Heavenly Peace

The Gate of Heavenly Peace is the main gate of Tiananmen Square and one of the most recognizable symbols of China. Above it is the famous portrait of the former leader of the Communist Party of China, Mao Zedong, and the gate leads to the Forbidden City, undoubtedly one of the most visited places in China. It was here that Mao proclaimed the People's Republic on October 1, 1949. Next to the large portrait of the former communist leader an enormous slogan reading "Long Live the Republic." Actually, both the hyper-political significance and the continued presence of the army and police in this square give it a decidedly uncomfortable atmosphere, at least for the western tourist.