Main Gates of Xi’an City Wall: reflection of the history of Xi’an
South Gate: this is the oldest gate among all the gates of the Xi’an City Wall. Built in early Sui Dynasty, this gate was called “Anshang Gate”, at first, then “South Gate” in Tang Dynasty and “Yongning Gate” in Ming Dynasty. Since the South Gate itself is historic relics, the passengers and vehicles can not pass in and out the South Gate directly. Instead, they can only pass in and out of the secondary doors.
Xi’an City Wall has a long history of 1400 years from Sui and Tang period. The gates have experienced various kinds of changes, so as their names. And these have all become the records of the growth of Xi’an City Wall and even Xi’an City. The introduction of the main gates starts from the South Gate in clockwise sequence.
Zhuque Gate: it is grand and gorgeous as the poets of Sui and Tang Dynasty told. The base of its gatepost is made of marble and there are weed vines with beautiful lines engraved in the door sill. Zhuque gate is the south gate of the imperial palace of Chang’an in Tang Dynasty and celebration activities were held here frequently in Sui and Tang Dynasty. Zhuque Gate was closed when Han State built new city and was excavated during the restoration of the City Wall of Xi’an in 1985.
Wumu Gate: this gate was built to commemorate Mr. Jing Muwu, who died in the Revolution of 1911. Wumu Gate is also named Small South Gate and was opened in 1939.
Hanguang Gate: this gate was the small west gate south of the imperial city of Chang’an.
Its Zhongshan Cave and Ximen Cave was closed when Han State built new city at the late Tang Dynasty. And all the caves of it were closed after North Song Dynasty. The base of its gatepost is also made of marble and there are also engraved designs in the door sill.
West Gate: the style of this gate is quite simple and concise. It was preserved when Han State built new city. West Gate was moved southward during the extending of the city wall and renamed “An’ding Gate”.
Yuxiang Gate: this gate was built to remember Feng Yuxiang, whose troop defeated warlord Liu Zhenhua. And it was opened in 1928 during the repair work of Xi’an City Wall.
Zhongshan Gate: this gate was opened for Sun Yat-sen in 1927, who is an essential leader of National Revolution. There are 2 doorways in the gate, called “Dongzheng Gate” and “Kaixuan Gate” respectively.
East Gate: it was built during the construction of Ming City Wall, with the formal name of “Chengle Gate” (“Changle” in Chinese means “permanently happy”). Li Zicheng rebel army attacked Xi’an from the East Gate in the late Ming Dynasty. When seeing the “Changle Gate” board above the gate, he said to the soldiers that” the ‘permanently happy’ of the emperors is at the expense of our common people”. The soldiers became very furious and burned this gate immediately. Then the gate was rebuilt during Qing Dynasty. This site is now known for the monument of Xi’an Incident (1936).
He’ping Gate (Peaceful Gate): this gate is so named to express the peaceful aspirations of Chinese people. He’ping Gate, together with Xi’an Railway Station and Big Wild Goose Pagoda, were all opened in 1953.
Wenchang Gate: this gate is the sole installation not relevant to military. Kuixing Building was built above the city wall here. As one of the 28 constellations, “Kuixing” was said to be the god to dominate the luck of the scholars.
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