Have you heard the tale of Beijing’s “door face”? That is the story of Qianmen’s Five Archway. This landmark stood proudly on the central axis of Beijing. It greeted all who passed through Qianmen.
Today we stand before a resurrected icon. The Five Archway is also known as Zhengyang Bridge Archway. It is more than just an archway. It is a symbol of Beijing itself. Old Beijing photos often featured its grand and elegant form.
Let’s step back in time. Old Beijing was once described as having “nine inner, seven outer, and four imperial cities.” Zhengyang Gate was the most important of the inner city gates. Common people simply called it “Qianmen” because of its prominent location.
Outside Qianmen was a moat. A stone bridge named Zhengyang Bridge crossed it. South of this bridge stood the archway. It bore the inscription “Zhengyang Bridge.” Because it spanned five bays it was known as the Five Archway.
The Five Archway held a special place in the hearts of Beijingers. It was considered the city’s “door face.” It even earned the title “national gate archway.”
However the Five Archway’s fate was turbulent. In the 1950s it was demolished to ease traffic. Later in the 1990s a new “Five Archway” was built south of the original site.
This new archway had a problem. Four of its six pillars were suspended in the air. People mockingly called it the “fake Five Archway.” It was eventually torn down amid controversy.
In 2006, Qianmen Street underwent renovations. Plans were made to rebuild the Five Archway on its original site. The goal was to recreate the architectural style of the 1920s and 1930s.
The reconstruction team faced a challenge. Which historical period should they use as a model? Experts decided to recreate the Five Archway as it appeared in the 1930s. That version had a reinforced concrete structure.
Finding the exact location of the original Five Archway was difficult. It had disappeared from maps after its demolition in 1955. The construction of an underpass in the 1980s further complicated matters.
An old photo provided a crucial clue. It showed a worker standing in a pillar base pit during the 1935 reconstruction. This helped determine the depth of the original foundations.
Experts used the Zhengyang Gate Arrow Tower as a reference point. They combined historical data with the tower’s location to estimate the archway’s position.
After careful calculations workers began to dig. They successfully unearthed the eastern pillar base from the 1935 archway. This confirmed the accuracy of the historical research.
Rebuilding the Five Archway required more than just measurements. Details like decorations and the calligraphy on the plaques were also important. These details were missing from historical records.
The reconstruction team searched antique markets for old photos. They needed visual references to fill in the gaps. One valuable find was a late Qing Dynasty photo of Qianmen Street.
The photo revealed the archway’s oil paint decorations. It became an important resource for the reconstruction. The team even found a stone carving that likely belonged to the original archway.
The Five Archway is a five-bay six-pillar structure. It features a flush gable roof style. Its towering presence and intricate details evoke a sense of grandeur. Each level is adorned with carved beams, painted rafters, and elaborate brackets.
The Five Archway stands once again. It is a testament to Beijing’s rich history. It is a reminder of the city’s ever-evolving identity. This iconic structure welcomes all who visit Qianmen. It links the present with the past.