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People who live near the Square will often take a morning stroll around Tiananmen and do their morning exercises, taking advantage of the ineffable but supposedly rich sources of morning qi to enliven themselves. Qigong, or taijiquan, is often practiced in groups, and since the 1980s these traditional breathing exercises have to an extent replaced the mass movements and group calisthenics of yesteryear.
Another popular use for Tiananmen Square during the milder months of the year is the flying of kites, a favorite pastime for both young and old in the city. People compete to set their often large and snake-like kites, many of them home-made, to flight over the Square.