In Chinese history, Beijing served as the capital of three dynasties: the Yuan (1271-1368), the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1912). During these periods, several gates, gate towers, archways, watchtowers, barbicans (a tower that is part of a castle or fort), sluice gates (for controlling the rate of flow of water through a sluice), enemy sight towers, moats and corner guard towers were built to fortify the city's defenses. However, in 1911 when the Qing Dynasty collapsed, most of the fortifications of Beijing were dismantled. Today, only a few of Beijing's earlier fortifications remain like the gate tower and watchtower of Zhengyangmen, Deshengmen's watchtower, part of the inner city wall close to Chongwenmen and Tiananmen of the Imperial City.  |
