Xi'an Wall Changle Gate

Changle Gate, the East Gate of the Xi'an City Wall, is a massive stone fortification built during the early Ming dynasty. Completed in thirteen seventy-eight, its name translates to eternal joy, reflecting the ambitions of the first Ming emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang. You can recognize this gate by its triple-layered defensive structure, which includes an outer arrow tower, a central barbican courtyard, and a main gate tower. These sections once functioned as a lethal trap for invaders, forcing them into a confined space where they faced a barrage of fire from all sides.