TIANANMEN SQUARE

Across a busy boulevard, Chang An Avenue, from the south gate of the Forbidden City is Tiananmen Square.  We accessed  the Square via an underground tunnel. We had to submit to a cursory security check near the tunnel exit. Our guide reminded us that many government buildings are near the Square so there is lots of security and an obvious military presence.
Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world.  Along the east side of the Square is the National Museum of China; along the west side is the Great Hall of the People (parliamentary building).  Trees line the east and west edges but the Square itself is open. The Monument to the People's Heroes and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong are near the center of the Square.  There were also two large screens near the monument that showed of slide show of relaxing scenes.