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

In September 1999, in the run-up to the 50th anniversary parade, evening rehearsals would take place along Jiang Wai Dajie. I enjoyed going down to a location outside the Friendship Store where it was possible to watch the large convoys passing in slow formation. Spectacular but also very noisy! Unfortunately I missed that final parade, having to return to the UK! However during 1994 in Scotland I had watched a production directed by Chen Kaige, filmed by Zhang Yimou, The Big Parade. It focused on the intensity of training by an army team hoping to be included in one such grand display.

The podium of Tian'anmen Gate provides an extensive view across the square stretching south towards Qianmen. It is a place of great significance and if visitors go to Beijing's Capital Museum there is a special room recreating scenes from 1949 through photographs and sound recordings from 70 years ago.