Qianmen and Dashilan'r 前门和箭楼

Originally named Zhengyangmen ("Facing the Sun Gate"), Qianmen was used exclusively by the emperor on his way to perform rituals during the winter solstice and first lunar month at the Temple of Heaven. These days, plebeians can not only enter the gate, but can also view its compelling exhibits of old photographs, scale models of the Ming city gates and old playing cards. The Arrow Tower just south of Qianmen is also an impressive structure, but it's not open to the public.