The Jianlou (Archery Tower) is at the south edge of the present Tiananmen Square. Jian Lou is part of the original city wall and was a well-guarded entrance to the area where the Imperial Palace stands. It was built in 1439 as part of the city's double-gated, walled defensive structure now remembered by the Ming-era phrase "Nine inside, seven outside, four in the Imperial City."



Perhaps by considering these photographs in comparison to the Placemarked image you can begin to appreciate the size of Tiananmen Square. Both the pair of dragon sculptures at the south side and the paved walkway surrounding the tower are easily identified in the Placemarked view.


View north toward front of Archery Tower


View south toward rear of Archery Tower

The architect Kuei Xiang of the Ming Dynasty adopted Chinese astrology when he built the city. In that view, the number Nine represented the divine Heaven, the number Five the Dragon and the Earth in the middle of the Universe. Under such a theory, Kuei Xiang constructed nine gates, five fortresses and a platform in the shape of the Chinese character Earch in the middle of the palace. The design symbolized the Emperor's divinity of both the Nine and the Five.

The Inner Nine are the original nine city gates along Beijing's Second Ring Road: Dongzhi Gate, Xizhi Gate, Fucheng Gate, Chaoyang Gate, Chongwen Gate, Xuanwu Gate, Qian Gate, Desheng Gate, Anding Gate.

• Xizhi Gate: Called Heyi Gate in the Ming Dynasty. The entrance for water wagons from Yuquan Mountain, via Heyi Gate to the Imperial City.
• Dongzhi Gate: Called Chongren Gate in the Ming Dynasty. The passage for wagons carrying firewood and charcoal.
• Chaoyang Gate: Called Qihua Gate in the Ming Dynasty. The passage for food.
• Chongwen Gate: Called Hade Gate. The passage for liquor and wine.
• Qian Gate: Called Zhengyang Gate. The passage for the emperor's exclusive use (visiting Tian Tan).
• Xuanwu Gate: Called Shunzhi Gate. Criminals awaiting for execution were escorted through here to Caishikou to be beheaded.
• Fucheng Gate: Called Pingze Gate. The passage for coal wagons.
• Desheng Gate: The entrance for triumphal troops.
• Anding Gate: Exit for troops go out for battle.
  

The Outer Seven were the Guangqu Gate, Guangan Gate, Zuoan Gate, Youan Gate, Dongbian Gate, Xibian Gate, Yongding Gate. These gates were passages for civilians to enter Beijing for business, work, or to visit their families.

The Imperial Four consisted of Daming Gate, Dian Gate, Dongan Gate, Xian Gate. These four gates were for officials to enter and exit the palace area.