Tiananmen Square is one of the largest city squares in the world, in fact the 4th largest. It has great cultural significance as it has been the site of several important events in Chinese history.

The most well known of the events to people living today is the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, which resulted in military suppression and the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of civilian protestors. The events became later known as the Tiananmen Square Massacre. One of the most famous images that appears during these protests was when a man stands in front of a moving tank and refuses to move. This became a revolutionary icon in fighting against the government at the time.

The Tiananmen square is the center point for the major Beijing attractions such as the Forbidden City, Gate of Heavenly Peace, Tiananmen Tower, Monument to the People's Heroes, Great Hall of the People, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall. Thousands of people come to the Square every day and the square can hold over one million people. When visiting the square though expect to go through airport level security with metal detectors and x-ray machines. There is also a high level of police presence. Nonetheless the locals are very friendly.