Tiananmen Square, Beijing

Here marks the centre of the city, Beijing’s stone heart as it were. We know what you’re thinking. Squares are a feature in the majority of cities around the world and it’s sometimes difficult to see how they could differ, but Tiananmen Square is unique – that’s for sure. This vast expanse of concrete is home to pile, upon pile, of political history. So, if you haven’t had enough of one already, this will be your welcome to modern China and all that it’s about.

It’s one of many jewels in the capital’s – and even the country’s – crown of attractions and probably one of Beijing’s most prominent spots. Although existing in one form or another since 1651, today – fenced by low iron grids and featuring a series of monolithic structures – this square seeks to showcase the great scale of the communist party. And forefronting this advert for communist rule is, of course, the founder of the People’s Republic of China, the late Chairman Mao himself. His portrait is proudly displayed at the square’s northern entrance, which also happens to be the side in which you’ll find the southern entrance of the Forbidden City.

But despite it being flanked by the likes of some big-hitting tourist sites like the Forbidden City, this square is home to some notable sites of its own. The Gate of Heavenly Peace, on which Mao’s picture is adorned, is most visitors first port of call. Capturing the iconic gate is a Tiananmen Square must and gives you a “been there, done that and got the picture” status. And the daily flag-raising ceremony is much like Beijing’s answer to London’s changing of the guards. But as a square that can hold around 600,000 people fairly comfortably, the list of things to see doesn’t end quite so swiftly. Think everything from museums to pretty floral displays. This is the poster child for communism after all, it’s inevitable that it would have a lot going on.