The square at the center of Beijing has existed since 1420. But back then, it was an enclosed place exclusively used by the emperor to hold significant ceremonies and release public policies. Ordinary people were prohibited from entering. The tower standing in the north was then called Chengtianmen, meaning the government’s legitimacy came from heaven.
In 1651, the tower was renamed Tiananmen, meaning the stability and harmony of the society. And the square thus got its new name, but it still was not open to the public.
After the demise of the Qing dynasty, the Beiyang government launched a project to upgrade and beautify the capital in 1914. And one of the measures was to tear down the walls surrounding the square and turn it into a public place.
After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the square was constantly renovated and enlarged. And the largest project happened in 1958. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the country, this place was expanded to four times its original size. All the buildings, streets, and walls around it were demolished to make way, and the ground was cemented. Eventually, it became the Tiananmen Square we are now familiar with.
So, when was Tiananmen Square built? Well, it came into being in 1420, got its name in 1651, and became what it looks like now in 1958.
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