Tian'an Men Square

2 lines for men, 1 for women

and the men had to wait, but women went right through security... the only example I saw of the gender imbalance in China

view of Tian'an Men Square from the Gate with the Mao portrait

I kinda got in trouble for taking this photo- I think you're not allowed to stop walking

heavily secured area- apparently the Mao portrait has been vandalized twice in history, but they have extra copies ready for backup

and here's the square...

complete with video propaganda of how amazing China is...

Tian'an Men Square did not make it to even my top 10 favorite things in Beijing, but of course I had to see it.  It's really really big and boring and heavily secured (x-ray machines and guards).  It's also hot and doesn't have any shade or places to sit.  However, it is supposedly the largest public square and it's right in the middle of the city.