Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, Mausoleum in Tiananmen Square, China
The Mausoleum of Mao Zedong is a square, colonnaded hall on Tiananmen Square, 105.5 m on each side and 33.6 m high, with a white marble plaque of gold characters above the north entrance. Forty-four square granite columns, each 17.5 m tall, ring the facade, and the roof has two glass eaves with sunflower reliefs. Inside, the North Hall holds a 3.45 m white marble seated statue of Mao before a 23.74 m-long mural, and the crystal coffin lies in the central chamber.
Construction began in November 1976, a few weeks after the leader's death, and was completed in May 1977 under the direction of Hua Guofeng. The swift execution aimed to anchor the site in revolutionary memory and secure the political legacy.
The building brings together materials from all Chinese provinces, including granite from Sichuan and polished porcelain from Guangdong, symbolizing national unity. Visitors today see a simple hall with inscriptions from the revolutionary period that continues to attract many Chinese citizens.
The site opens Tuesday through Sunday in the morning, so visitors should plan to arrive on Tiananmen Square early. Admission is free, but bags and backpacks must be stored in lockers, and security checks can take some time.
The seated marble statue in the North Hall was first carved with crossed legs; some officials found this too informal for the hall, and although a replacement with level legs was discussed, Deng Xiaoping decided to keep the original. The statue is 3.45 m tall and stands before a 23.74 m-long wall tapestry titled Motherland.
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