Located on the northern end of the Second Ring Road, Deshengmen Watchtower still stands intact some 600 years since its last reconstruction. Today, this historical landmark serves as a popular tourist attraction and houses a coin exhibition within its walls.
While they were each constructed and finalized during the time of the Ming Dynasty, the nine gates of Beijing would live through many eras, and today some of them remain popular sites in China’s capital. All of the gates were constructed in a similar manner but they all served different purposes. Deshengmen was no exception, in that it was made up of a gatehouse, an archery tower, and a barbican, and was used mainly for the transportation of military equipment and personnel. Today only the barbican and archery tower survive, both of which have enjoyed enduring popularity thanks to their history and the ancient coin exhibition.
Desheng in Chinese is a term used to describe “victory over,” which fits in perfectly with the gate’s historical status. During both the Ming and Qing Dynasties, troops returning home from wars which they had won would enter inner Beijing through Deshengmen, symbolizing their triumph.
Today, Deshengmen serves as both an enthralling landmark due to its unique structure, and as an important symbol of Chinese history. Visiting it is a great way to experience a different kind of architecture and learn a little bit about this city’s rich history in the process.
Keep Reading: Visit These Nine Ancient Beijing Gates
Images: Uni You
