Beijing Travel Photography: Deshengmen Arrow Tower

🏯Deshengmen Arrow Tower was built in 1437, during the Ming Dynasty, and is one of the nine gates of Beijing's inner city. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, General Xu Da led his army to capture the Yuan capital (now Beijing) and renamed Jiande Gate on the northern city wall of the Yuan capital to Deshengmen, possibly to commemorate the victory of the Ming army. Later, in 1420, during the reconstruction of Beijing, Deshengmen was rebuilt, and the name was retained. 🏯The arrow tower is 12.6 meters high, with a wall width of about 39.5 meters. The arrow tower faces north, with a gray tile roof and green eaves. The building is shaped like an inverted "凸" character, with the front and rear buildings combined into one. The tower has four floors, with 82 arrow windows, 48 on the north side and 17 on each of the east and west sides. These arrow windows were used for shooting arrows during city defense. 🏯Standing under the Deshengmen Arrow Tower, looking at the gray tile roof and green eaves, and the city bricks and arrow windows that have withstood the test of time, it feels like traveling through time and seeing ancient soldiers guarding and defending the city. It witnessed the changes, wars, and peace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, carrying countless historical stories and legends, making people admire the wisdom and diligence of the ancients. 🏯The name Deshengmen means "victory through virtue" and "moral victory," reflecting ancient moral concepts and war philosophies. It was an important gateway from the capital to the northern frontier, known as the "military gate," highlighting its historical significance. This rich historical and cultural heritage allows every visitor to feel the profound and enduring Chinese culture. Location: 🚩Deshengmen Arrow Tower is located at No. 9, Deshengmen East Street, Xicheng District, Beijing. It is located on the west side of the northern city wall of Beijing, north of Deshengmen Overpass. Ticket Price: CNY 20 for adults, CNY 10 for college students, free for primary and secondary school students. The first 200 visitors on Wednesdays can enter for free.