travel to Beijing: Flag-raising Ceremony at TianAnMen Square

Everyday, a grand ceremony called Flag-raising Ceremony in Beijing's Tiananmen Square will attract many people. Believe it or not, going to Beijing and watching the national Flag-raising Ceremony is a dream to many people in China, especially to those who are poor and live far away from Beijing. What’s the charm of Flag-raising Ceremony?

The national flag was first raised over Tian'anmen Square in 1949, marking the birth of New China. And it has been repeated every day since then. In the morning, Chinese military honor guards march with perfect rhythm and synchronicity to raise the national flag. The ceremony begins at different time each day but precisely at sunrise and last exactly 127 seconds. And it is accompanied with a military band on the first day of every month.

While standing at the square, watching the national flag going up the pole slowly, listening to the national anthem, a feeling of patriotism grows inside of every Chinese people. That’s so impressive that somebody even cries. Although the flag has meant different things to different people, we love our great country and get power from the ceremony. I think that’s why it attracts so many people.

If you want to see the ceremony, then get up very early and arrive at the Square before sunrise. Only by doing so can you see the ceremony clearly as there are crowds of people attending the ceremony every day, especially during these important days and festivals, such as on May 1st (Internationa l Labor day),on Oct 1st (National day), every New year, and China 's New Year as well.

After the ceremony, tourists can also take a visit to Tiananmen Tower, Monument to the People's Heroes, Great Hall of the People, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, they are just on the Tian'anmen Square.