The flag-raising ceremony marking the 76th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China drew more than 120,000 people at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on Wednesday morning, the country's National Day.
Many in the gathering traveled far from different parts of the country. like Heilongjiang in the northeast, Guangdong in the south, Zhejiang in the east, Inner Mongolia in the north and Xinjiang in the northwest, and got to the square before dawn to witness this historic moment.
"My camera will definitely focus on the guard of honor when they appear and follow them escorting the national flag. It's meaningful to capture this moment with my camera. I will keep it in my memory along with in the memory card of my camera," said Zhong Chaoyu, a tourist from Guangzhou City of Guangdong.
The ceremony started at 06:00 in the morning, with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Guard of Honor carrying the national flag accompanied by a military band playing music.
The center of the Tian'anmen Square was decorated with delicate floral arrangements as part of the National Day decorations in the capital city.
"It is the 76th year we celebrate the National Day. I feel very excited to have this opportunity in my lifetime to watch the flag-rising ceremony in person. I'd struggle hard to watch the flag raising," said Tang Yanqin, an 80-year-old woman from Harbin of Heilongjiang.
To the chorus of the national anthem, the five-starred red flag ascended with the morning sun, when people sent their heartfelt blessings for the country's prosperity.
National Day flag-raising ceremony at Tian'anmen Square draws 120,000 people
