The city of Beijing, as the seat of China’s cultural and political affairs, has always witnessed the changes through time. Born in mystery, she has risen from the problems of the past, continues to live with purpose and is looking forward to a more optimistic future.

The wonders of Beijing never fail to enthrall her visitors. This influx of tourists from every race and creed gave rise to numerous Beijing Hotels, which are spread across the metropolis. These various accommodations offer you many choices, from the simple and standard ones to those that define grandiosity and luxury. Wherever you are, you are sure to choose one that will fit your needs and liking.

Before the People’s Republic was instituted, the city experienced major upheavals. To enshrine these important events and honor the people who have offered their lives for freedom, several monuments have been erected across the city. Among these structures, the Monument to the People’s Heroes is one of the most notable. This is a ten-storey obelisk which can be found within a stone’s throw from many Beijing hotels. This was built in memory of the martyrs who gave their lives for the revolutionary struggles of the Chinese people during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Architect Liang Sicheng together with his wife, Lin Huiyin designed the structure. Its height is about 37.94 meters and has an area of 32,000 square feet. The structure is strategically located at the Tiananmen Square’s southern edge.

This 10,000 metric ton obelisk was made from 17,000 pieces of granite and marble, which were taken from the provinces of Qingdao and Shandong and from Fangshan District, just outside the city.

Eight large bas relieves can be seen on the tablet’s pedestal which portray scenes from the revolution which can be read in a clockwise direction, starting from the east. A number of these scenes include the burning of opium in the Opium War in 1840, the Jintian Village Uprising in the Taiping Revolution in 1851 and crossing the Yangtze River Campaign or Successful Crossing of the Yangtze River in 1949.

You can readily see an inscription in Mao Zedong’s handwriting at the front, which reads “Eternal glory to the people’s heroes!” While at the back, you can read a message which was also drafted by Mao Zedong and written by Zhou Enlai, revering the heroic efforts of the people through the years.

The Monument to the People’s Heroes is a crowd drawer that should not be missed by visitors staying in various Beijing hotels. It offers the city’s visitors a glimpse of the people who restored national pride to the Chinese. From numerous Beijing hotels, getting to this spot is not a problem given the accessibility of cabs and the subway. For you to truly experience this attraction, you should visit in the morning to avoid the crowds which gather in the square as the day progresses. Without a doubt, this monument will really give its visitors a glimpse of China’s colorful history.

E. Larson is a long-time resident of Beijing, China. He works with the Redwall Beijing Hotel and many other hotels in Beijing. Check out his website about the Redwall Beijing Hotel here.