At the southern end of the Tiananmen Square stands the Zhengyangmen Gate (also known as Qian Men, means 'Front Gate'), which is the symbol of Old Beijing. It was built in 1420 in the early Ming Dynasty and renovated in 1989. In the old days the wall was guarded by watchtowers placed at regular intervals around the perimeter. The double gate system played an important role in repulsing enemy attacks. If the first gate were breached, the enemy would still find themselves outside the city wall and would be fired upon from the tower over the inner gate.

Zhengyangmen Gate is one of the few remaining gates of the Beijing city wall, and the highest gate in Beijing with the Chinese traditional characteristic. Since Jan21, 1990, it opens to public. 

Admission Fee : USD1.50/person for tower ascending
Opening Hours: 08:30-16:00, 7 days a week
Recommended Time for a Visit: Half an hour