Zhengyangmen Gate is one of the most recognizable structures on Beijing`s central axis. Over six centuries it has changed many names. In official documents of the Ming era it was listed as Lizhengmen — "Gate Establishing Order." Later it was renamed Zhengyangmen, which means "Gate Facing the Sun" or "Gate of the Midday Light."
Among the people, however, it was always called simply Qianmen — "Front Gate." This name took root so firmly that today an entire district and a metro station bear the name Qianmen, although the official name of the gate is Zhengyangmen.
European travelers of the 19th century called it "Qianmen Gate" or transliterated it as "Chien Men." In English guidebooks the name "Gate of the Zenith Sun" was also found — a literal translation of "Gate of the Zenith Sun."
Two Towers — One Whole
Today Zhengyangmen is two separate structures divided by a wide road. The northern structure is the city gate tower (chenglou). The southern one is the tower with arrow windows (jianlou). Both look like independent fortresses, and many tourists do not even suspect that they were once part of a single complex.
In the Ming and Qing eras, between them stood the outer barbican wall (wengcheng) — a massive semicircular fortification. The wall connected both towers, forming an enclosed courtyard. Travelers arriving in the capital from the south passed through the barbican gates, then found themselves in the inner courtyard, and only from there entered the city through the main gates.
The Zhengyangmen barbican was the largest and most important among all the city fortifications of Beijing. Imperial processions heading to the Temple of Heaven for rituals passed through it. It was here, and not at the gates themselves, that the main ceremonies of meeting and seeing off the emperor took place.
In 1915 the barbican was demolished — it hindered the growing traffic flow. Thus the two towers found themselves separated and now stand on both sides of the road.
The Zero Kilometer Marker
At the foot of the northern tower of Zhengyangmen Gate, right on the ground, is the "Zero Kilometer" marker — the symbolic starting point of all automobile roads in China. It was installed in 2006.
The marker is cast in brass and embedded in the pavement so that it is level with the ground. In the center is the Arabic numeral "1," around it an inscription in Chinese and English, and along the edges — four dragons symbolizing the cardinal directions. According to Chinese tradition, east is the green dragon, west is the white tiger, south is the red bird, north is the black turtle. The dragons are executed after the motifs of the famous Han-era roof tiles.
This is not just a decorative element. It is from here that distances to all cities of the country are measured on road signs.
What Can Be Seen Inside the Towers of Zhengyangmen Gate
Tower with Arrow Windows
The southern tower opened to visitors in December 2024 after many years of restoration. It is the only fully preserved gate tower with embrasures in Beijing.
Inside — four floors. The three lower ones house the permanent exhibition "Beijing`s Central Axis — A Masterpiece of China`s Ideal Capital Order." The first floor tells about the fifteen key objects of the axis, the second — about their values and history, the third — about the heritage protection system. The fourth floor is given over to an exhibition of intangible cultural heritage.
Among the most interesting exhibits is the authentic casket from the roof ridge of the tower, discovered during restoration. Inside it, according to ancient beliefs, are five metal ingots, a piece of wood, five colored silk threads, five precious stones, and five grains — symbols of the five primary elements. Also on display are the imperial edict on the abdication of Puyi (the last emperor) and fragments of the scroll "The Southern Journey of Emperor Kangxi."
Climbing the Tower
Yes, you can climb the southern tower. This is precisely why it is worth coming here.
Stairs lead to all four floors. The ascent goes along the eastern side, the descent — along the western. There is no elevator, and the steps are quite high — it may be uncomfortable for elderly people and people with limited mobility.
From the upper floors, one of the best views of Beijing`s central axis opens up. Through 94 arrow windows — narrow vertical slits in the walls — you can look at Qianmen Street, and in the distance make out the silhouette of Yongdingmen Gate at the southern end of the axis. From the fourth floor, the northern Zhengyangmen tower itself is also clearly visible, appearing especially majestic from here.
Important to know: admission is free, but by advance reservation. Tickets open seven days in advance and are snapped up quickly. There are no ticket offices on site — without a reservation you will not be allowed in. The tower is closed on Mondays (except holidays).
