Chairman Mao Memorial Hall

The Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, commonly known as the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, is located in Tiananmen Square and occupies an area of 5.72 hectares. Its total construction area is 3,3867 square meters. Initially built in November 1976, the memorial hall was officially open to the public after an inauguration ceremony in September 9, 1977. Its main structure is a cube supported by pillars and houses corridors. There is a white marble inscribed board on which 6 Chinese characters (Chairman Mao Memorial Hall) are written hung on the south and north sides of it. The exterior is supported by 44 square granite pillars. The whole design looks solemn and is full of Chinese style.

In the center of the hall, there is a three-meter high sitting statue of Mao Zedong made of white marble. A giant velvet embroidery depicting the magnificent mountains and rivers of the motherland is hanging on the wall behind the statue.

The crystal coffin that carries the body of Mao Zedong is laid in the center of the memorial. Chairman Mao wears Zhongshan Suit and is covered by the party flag of the CPPCC. The base of the coffin is made of black granite from Taishan Mountain and Party emblems, national emblems, army emblems and the birthday and pass-away date of him have all been set on the base of it.

The south hall is the place for visitors. The wall in the north is covered by the poetic lines of Mao Zedong, which have been made into the calligraphic style of him.

The north hall is the entrance and the place to hold ceremonies. In the center of the hall stands the white marble sitting portrait of Mao Zedong, which looks vivid. Behind it is a large Chinese scroll painting, which has been named Motherland and unrolls the grand beauty of China.