The gatekeepers

Beijing is famous for its city walls, which were built to protect the emperor and people against northern invaders. Connecting these walls were massive gates and each had a special function. The gates were symbols of imperial feudal power and were knocked down in 1950s and today only three gates remain - Qianmen, Deshengmen's watchtower and Yongdingmen.

But the stories behind the gates can help visitors better understand Chinese culture and the history of an imperial city run on strict order and tradition.

Ever since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) some 600 years ago, the gates had different purposes. The emperor's army passed through Deshengmen on its way to war because Desheng was pronounced the same as "winning"; the army used Andingmen (gate of peace) on its return; only the emperor used Zhengyangmen; Xuanwumen was an exit for prison vans; Fuchengmen was used for coal carts, and water carts passed through Xizhimen.