City Gate Old Pictures

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Kingto—Tour in Beijing >> Beijing City Gate pictures

Beijing City Gate pictures

Zhengyangmen Gate	Xuanwumen Gate	Chongwenmen Gate	Chaoyangmen Gate
Fuchengmen Gate	Dongzhimen Gate	Xizhimen Gate	Andingmen Gate
Deshengmen Gate	Yongdingmen Gate	Guanganmen Gate	Guangqumen Gate
Zuoanmen Gate	Youanmen Gate	Dongbianmen Gate	Xibianmen Gate

Originally, the outer side if each city gate was frontier by fortifications. An essential part of the overall city plan, they took the form of secondary gate towers just outside the gates. Connected to the main city wall by semi–circular curtain–walls, they resembled earth ware jars and were known as “urn walls” (wengcheng). Xizhimen is an example of a square “urn wall.”

The main function of the “urn walls” was to strengthen defense capabilities of the garrison troops protecting the city. “Urn towers” on top afforded protection to archers inside while allowing them to shoot freely. In the event of a surprise attack, the main gates were quickly closed to prevent the enemy from entering the city. When the defense prepared for an engagement with the enemy, they first concentrated their forces within the “urn walls.” If the enemy entered the “urn walls,” they became an easy target for the troops at the main city gate. There were usually one or two temples within the “urn walls,” where people used to pray to the gods for protection.

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