Beijing - Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen Gate)

Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen Gate) stands at the juncture where the central axis of Beijing and Chang'an Street meet, on the northern edge of Tian'anmen Square. Tian'anmen is the symbol of modern China and featured on the emblem of the People's Republic of China. It served as the gatehouse of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Above the archway hangs a large portrait of Maozedong, on the east and west sides of which are two giant placards, the left one reading: "Long Live the People's Republic of China" while the right one reading: "Long Live the Great Unity of the World's Peoples." In front of the Gate of Heavenly Peace is golden water bridge, above which spans 7 white marble bridges with fine carvings. Same as the arch gateways, the central bridge as the widest one was reserved for the emperor.