We continued our walk across the street from the Great Hall of the People by walking in Tian'an men Square. On one side of the square is the Great Hall, while opposite the Hall on the square is the museum. It is now under renovation and will re-open in October. I was very disappointed because I wanted to see the treasures that were left behind on the Mainland when the PRC was born. I've seen the ones that left with Chiang Kai Shek when he came to Taiwan with his followers. They are housed in the National Palace Museum. The little white tents you see house the Red Army and Police who are everywhere. We also went through "airport" screenings before being allowed in the tourist attractions. There were huge crowds everywhere we went...week-ends being the worst, of course. Suzie said the crowds were unbearable during the May 1 holiday.
A third side is a huge hall that holds Mao's open casket. Masses of people were lined up to view the body, although Suzie said on holidays people fill the square waiting their turn. Suzie said Mao was a genius. All I could think about were the people who lost their lives through his genius leadership...I don't think she could read the bubble over my head.
The fourth side holds a huge flagpole where people line up before dawn to view the Red Army raise the flag every day. That side is also looking at the entrance to the Forbidden City.
The center holds a monument that memorializes all the Chinese people who fought for the revolution.
Again, the square is huge, and had just been the center for the celebration of the anniversary of the birth of the PRC. I had tears in my eyes thinking of the people who had walked the square...including the students who protested, and the lone student who tried to stop the tanks. The Square is an amazing place.
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