Beijing’s Zhengyangmen Gate Tower Reopens After Six-Year Restoration
Beijing’s historic Zhengyangmen gate tower reopened to the public on July 27 after six years of systematic restoration, marking the second anniversary of the Beijing Central Axis being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The iconic Ming Dynasty structure, located at the southern end of Tiananmen Square, now welcomes visitors with a new exhibition and enhanced preservation features that include ecological protections for the Beijing Swifts that nest there.
A Gate Steeped in History
Zhengyangmen, also known as Qianmen, was first built in the 17th year of the Ming Yongle reign (1419–1420), making it over 600 years old. It served as the main southern gate of Beijing’s inner city during the Ming and Qing dynasties, functioning both as a defensive structure and a ceremonial gateway. The gate complex originally included the gate tower, arrow tower, and barbican (People’s Daily reported).
Designated a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, Zhengyangmen is one of 15 heritage components of the Beijing Central Axis — a 7.8-kilometer north-south cultural spine that earned UNESCO World Heritage status on July 27, 2024, becoming China’s 59th World Heritage site. The gate tower first opened to the public in 1991 but was closed in 2020 for comprehensive protection and restoration. The adjacent arrow tower had already reopened in December 2024.
Restoration and Technology
The restoration, completed at the end of 2025, involved extensive work including roof reconstruction, large wooden structural reinforcement, plaster repair, and interior and exterior oil painting. According to China News Service, the project utilized advanced technologies such as 3D laser scanning for precise documentation and a digital twin monitoring platform — China’s first to apply 3D digital twin technology for heritage preservation. Real-time data is transmitted via 5G to the Beijing Central Axis Heritage Monitoring Platform, which tracks conditions across all 15 heritage components.
The “Lofty Zhengyang” Exhibition
A new permanent exhibition, “Lofty Zhengyang” (巍巍正阳), opened alongside the gate tower, divided into four sections: Nine Gates First, Gate of Rituals, Bustling Market, and Era of Zhengyang (People’s Daily and China News Service reported). The exhibition features original architectural components replaced during restoration, including glazed ridge beasts from the roof ridge — ornate ceramic ornaments that once adorned the gate tower’s rooftop. A full-scale architectural model reconstructs the original Zhengyangmen complex, showing the gate tower, arrow tower, and barbican in their complete historical configuration, allowing visitors to appreciate the structure’s dual defensive and ceremonial purposes.
Among the most significant exhibits are artifacts from the UNESCO inscription ceremony: the World Heritage certificate, the wooden gavel used in the voting, and the commemorative banner displayed when Beijing Central Axis joined the World Heritage list — bringing visitors face to face with the tangible legacy of the successful inscription effort.
Protecting Beijing’s Feathered Residents
The restoration demonstrated an integrated approach to heritage conservation that prioritized ecological balance. Beijing Swifts (Apus apus pekinensis) — migratory birds that have become an iconic symbol of the capital — nest at Zhengyangmen annually from April to July. According to People’s Daily, the restoration team scheduled roof-related construction to avoid the nesting season and reserved passage channels for the birds, ensuring their habitat remained undisturbed. The swift population has since recovered to its original numbers.
Walking the Central Axis
To celebrate the reopening, Beijing authorities released 10 themed walking routes under the “Most Beautiful Walking Path” initiative, connecting cultural landmarks and heritage sites along the Central Axis. Zhang Jing, director of the Resource Development Department at the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, said the routes “are 10 ways to open up Beijing Central Axis tourism landmarks. It’s not just a city planning axis or ancient architecture axis, but also a cultural axis and a city life axis, allowing everyone to feel the infinite charm of the Central Axis while strolling along it.” Source: CCTV.
Visiting Information
Zhengyangmen gate tower is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission requires a real-name reservation made through the “Beijing Central Axis Heritage Protection Center” WeChat account, with tickets available for booking up to seven days in advance. Full-price tickets cost 20 yuan ($2.80), with concessions at 10 yuan. The site offers 16 designated photo spots, a coffee and tea lounge, and a creative cultural space where visitors can enjoy refreshments while overlooking the Central Axis. (Source: Beijing Local Treasures)
Looking Ahead
The reopening of Zhengyangmen represents a significant milestone in Beijing’s ongoing efforts to preserve and showcase its cultural heritage. Beyond the gate itself, the restoration has spurred broader urban renewal along the Central Axis, introducing modern amenities while preserving historical character. As the second anniversary of the UNESCO listing demonstrates, the Beijing Central Axis continues to evolve as both a cultural treasure and a living part of the city’s daily life — inviting residents and international visitors alike to walk through over 600 years of history.