Why did Xihua Gate need a screen? We’re standing before Xihua Gate Screen Building 1, an unassuming structure with a fascinating story. Xihua Gate Screen Building 1 wasn’t part of the original Forbidden City plan. It emerged from a unique intersection of politics and urban planning in the 1970s. Xihua Gate, built in 1420, stands as the western gate to the Forbidden City. Its position, slightly south of the western wall’s midpoint, reflects the Forbidden City’s division into outer court and inner court. The outer court, used for official business, occupies the southern portion. East and West Hua Gates flank the horizontal axis of the outer court. This arrangement facilitated access to the outer court while minimizing disruptions to the inner court, where the emperor resided.
Xihua Gate also served as an access point to the imperial gardens to the west. Qing emperors often used it when visiting these gardens. Empress Dowager Cixi and the Guangxu Emperor also exited through Xihua Gate during the Eight-Nation Alliance invasion in 1900. Xihua Gate offered stunning views, especially of Zhongnanhai. This vantage point became a concern in the 1970s during the construction of the new Beijing Hotel east wing. This new wing was so tall that guests could overlook Zhongnanhai.
Premier Zhou Enlai, concerned about the security implications, ordered modifications. The solution? Constructing screen buildings, or “screen walls”, alongside Xihua Gate. These weren’t intended for practical use, simply to block the line of sight. They stand as a testament to a specific time in Chinese history. Their construction even required removing part of Xihua Gate’s side walls. Ironically, the original design for the hotel’s east wing was only about 50 meters tall. It was on Vice Premier Li Xiannian’s suggestion that it was raised to over 100 meters to maximize land use. When Zhou Enlai pointed out the security issue, he remarked that the original, shorter design would have been fine. He even stated that Beijing didn’t need such tall buildings. The screen buildings, now over 16 meters tall, dramatically altered Xihua Gate’s appearance. They illustrate how political concerns can reshape urban landscapes. They offer a glimpse into a specific historical moment, a reminder of how security concerns once dictated architectural choices at Xihua Gate.