Strolling in Chongqing | The iconic Great Hall of the People in the mountain city

The Great Hall of the People in Chongqing is located opposite the Three Gorges Museum, with the People's Square in between. The design of the Great Hall is modeled after the palatial architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties, employing traditional axial symmetry. The structure is balanced, with a strong contrast, meticulous layout, and an elegant and lively appearance. The main dome of the Great Hall, inspired by the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, consists of four major parts: the Great Hall itself and the east, south, and north buildings. In front of the circular main building, there is a row of exquisite gatehouses, resembling the Tiananmen Gate Tower in Beijing, hence the nickname 'Mini Tiananmen'. The Chongqing People's Great Hall is modeled after the Temple of Heaven, symbolizing prayers for the nation's peace and the people's safety. The central round watchtower is a miniature of Beijing's Tiananmen; the north and south wings are inlaid with towers similar to those at the corners of the Forbidden City in Beijing; the vast courtyard has a wide and flat front step, with six tiers of stairs.