Great Hall of the People Beijing China

Great Hall Of The People, Beijing, China 人民大会堂

Read a guide to Beijing's Great Hall of the People constructed in 1959 as one of the "Ten Great Constructions" to celebrate the 10th anniversary of of the PRC.

The Great Hall of the People in Beijing is a massive, symbolic, and politically significant structure located on the west side of Tiananmen Square. Built in 1959 in only 10 months, it acts as the meeting place for China’s top legislature, the National People's Congress, featuring a 10,000-seat auditorium and unique rooms designed for each province. It is the venue for the annual sessions of the NPC and various state affairs, diplomatic events, and Communist Party ceremonies, functioning as the nation’s primary political, economic, and cultural center. The exterior features 12 huge pillars and blends Soviet-style architecture with traditional Chinese design. It represents the unity of the 56 ethnic groups with a central red star light in the ceiling surrounded by smaller lights. The massive, column-free main auditorium can seat over 10,000 people, while the banquet hall can host 5,000 diners. The Great Hall Of The People houses 30+ distinctive meeting rooms (e.g., the Beijing Room, Xinjiang Room), each uniquely decorated to reflect the culture and scenery of a specific Chinese province.

Great Hall of the People, Beijing, China.
© Russell Uebergang

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