Great Hall Of The People

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  • Address
    天安门广场, W side of Tiananmen Square, Dongcheng
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  • Phone
    6309 6935
  • Transport
    underground rail: Tiananmen Xi

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Lonely Planet review

The Great Hall of the People is the seat of the legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC). The 1959 architecture is monolithic and intimidating, and a fitting symbol of China's remarkable political inertia. The tour parades past a choice of lifeless rooms named after the provinces that constitute the Chinese universe. The ticket office is down the south side of the building. Bags need to be checked in but cameras are admitted.

Also on the billing is the 5000-seat banquet room where US President Richard Nixon dined in 1972, and the 10,000-seat auditorium with the familiar red star embedded in a galaxy of lights in the ceiling. The Great Hall of the People is closed to the public when the People's Congress is in session.

The Great Hall is on a site previously occupied by Taichang Temple, the Jinyiwei (Ming dynasty secret service) and the Ministry of Justice.