People from across China have gathered in Tian’anmen Square in Beijing to watch the first national flag raising ceremony of 2013.
The regular flag-raising in Beijing’s heart Tian’anmen Square is popular for Chinese during special holidays like first day of the year, or the National Day.
The regular ceremony begins at a different time each day based on astronomical calculations.
It starts when the top of the sun reaches the horizon, as seen from the Square’s perspective. Many tourists arrived early to avoid missing the special moment.