Tiananmen Square, Central square in Donghuamen district, Beijing, China.

Tiananmen Square is a paved expanse of 765 by 282 metres (39.6 hectares) in central Beijing, bounded by the Great Hall of the People to the west and the National Museum of China to the east. The Tiananmen gate stands on its north side, and the Monument to the People's Heroes and the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall lie to the south. A flagpole with a red flag rises at the northern end.

Tiananmen Square was laid out in 1651; the Tiananmen gate to its north dates from 1417. In 1954 the Gate of China was demolished, and an expansion begun in November 1958 was finished in August 1959, quadrupling the square. The Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum of China were built at that time.

Families gather here to fly kites, take photographs in front of the gate, and meet in the open space, especially during holidays and weekends. Visitors use the square as a meeting point and stroll around to observe the large monuments and surrounding buildings up close.

Security checks require identification and screening at each of the designated entry points around the perimeter. Visitors should arrive early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and allow enough time to cross the open expanse.

Each morning and evening, a flag ceremony unfolds as soldiers march in precise formation from the gate to the flagpole. The timing of the ceremony shifts daily to match sunrise and sunset, so visitors must plan ahead to catch the exact moment.