Beijing reopens 607-year-old Zhengyangmen Gate, a landmark on UNESCO-listed Beijing Central Axis
https://youtu.be/RoHZTMo9XAc?si=GFkbxd48S-tRd5sv
This was posted on you-tube on 29th July 2026.
The newly restored doors of Zhengyangmen Gate slowly swung open on Monday, ushering in a new chapter for the 607-year-old landmark in the heart of Beijing. Also known as "Qianmen," the gate's archery tower once served as a defensive stronghold and marked the southern entrance among the nine inner city gates of ancient Beijing during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1912). Today, Zhengyangmen holds a unique distinction: it's the only gate in Beijing's inner city where both the city tower and archery tower remain fully intact.
Over a five-year renovation beginning in 2020, restoration teams conducted a comprehensive 3D digital scan of the gate to preserve its structure for future restoration efforts. The reopening coincides with the second anniversary of the Beijing Central Axis being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the gate tower now hosts an exhibition spanning more than 600 years of architectural heritage, highlighting the outstanding universal value of the Central Axis. Visitors can purchase tickets to ascend Zhengyangmen through the site's official WeChat account, priced at just 20 yuan (about $2.95).