Zhengyangmen, Historic city gate in central Beijing, China.
Zhengyangmen is a monumental stone and brick gate tower at the center of Beijing, rising 42 meters high and connecting the central gatehouse to an archery tower through fortified walls. The structure straddles Qianmen Street and serves as a defining landmark in the city's historical layout.
The gate was built in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty as part of the city's defensive infrastructure. It suffered damage in 1900 during battles of the Boxer Rebellion between local forces and the Eight-Nation Alliance.
The gate marked the boundary between the imperial inner city and the bustling commercial district outside, where merchants and ordinary people conducted business. This division still shapes how visitors understand Beijing's urban layout today.
The site is easily accessible by public transport, with subway lines 2 and 8 nearby and multiple bus routes serving the area. The surrounding Qianmen district offers restaurants, shops, and sits close to Tiananmen Square, making it simple to explore other nearby attractions.
This structure serves as the zero-kilometer point for measuring distances on China's highways, marked by a commemorative plaque at its base. Beyond its historical significance, it functions as a practical reference point for the entire national road system.
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