Tainanmen Square

One of the world's largest public squares, if you were brought up outside of China there's a good chance that the images in your mind's eye are vastly different than those of any new friends you'll make locally in Beijing. First time visitors will quickly see trees and open spaces, plenty of domestic visitors, and possibly a tout or two selling photos or kites. There is order here among the chaotic masses of people, Tiananmen Square holds significant modern history.