Appreciate New China's history as nation's 70th anniversary approaches

Directly facing Tian'anmen Gate, a tall flagpole rising from a marble stand carries China's national flag. Every day at dawn or sunset large crowds gather from across China and beyond. They come to observe the flag's ceremonial raising and lowering by a group of highly professional servicemen. It is easy to feel the importance, the significance of that locale for the nation

Prior to 1949, Beijing was a walled city crisscrossed by narrow alleys, or hutongs. Long, wide and straight Chang'an Avenue was laid out in the 1950's, passing directly in front of the Tian'anmen Gate. Its design was to provide adequate space for the very large parades, such as that planned for Tuesday to mark China's 70th anniversary. There are no overhead wires for buses or pedestrian bridges (there are underpasses). This allows high vehicles carrying displays to move unhindered during the ceremonies.