Zhengyangmen & Beijing's Evolution

With the help of 100+ old photographs, explore the incredible history of Beijing's southern city gate, Zhengyangmen (The Gate of the Zenith Sun). Over it's 600 year history, the gate has evolved alongside the city, at different times being seen as a symbol of the Emperor's power, as a tool of ethnic segregation, as a battle zone, as Beijing's main transportation hub, and as a relic to a bygone era. The Gate is a window through which we can witness Beijing's constant transformation over a 600 year period.

00:00 Intro
3:03 The significance and function of the Gate
6:12 Development of the south city
9:18 Barbarians at the Gates
15:45 The Qing dynasty collapses

Be sure to watch in 4K!