Yingtian Gate (应天门, Yingtianmen), situated in the southern part of the Imperial City, also known as Zhaiwei City, within the Sui and Tang dynastic capital of Luoyang, holds profound historical significance as the main southern gate of the city. It served as the ceremonial venue for important imperial events such as coronations, era name changes, amnesties, and grand banquets, much akin to Beijing‘s Meridian Gate (Wumen). Notable historical events that took place here include the bestowing of a decree to the King of Baekje, Buyeo Yigui, by Emperor Taizong of Tang, and the ascension to the throne by Empress Wu Zetian.
Yingtian Gate was also the place where envoys from various countries, including Japan, were received during their visits to the Tang court. In 1985, to commemorate the historical significance of Yingtian Gate as the arrival point for Japanese envoys during the Sui and Tang dynasties, the All Japan Cultural Group Federation and others erected a monument titled “The Place Visited by Japanese Envoys to the Sui and Tang Dynasties” at the site of Yingtian Gate, signifying its importance as a symbol of national and imperial authority.
Yingtian Gate is a colossal architectural complex comprising a gate tower, a tower with multiple eaves, and eastern and western auxiliary towers connected by corridors, forming a concave-shaped structure. It spans 137 meters from east to west, with the auxiliary towers rising to a height of 36.4 meters. The gate tower has two observation pavilions, with one bearing the inscription “紫薇观 (Ziwei Tempe).” Five towering structures resembling phoenixes adorn the gate tower. There are three gateways under the city tower, with the central one designated for imperial passage and the lateral ones for general use. Symbolizing imperial dignity, the gate is flanked by twelve auxiliary towers, six on each side, creating a grand architectural ensemble that represents the highest level of ancient city gate construction and ceremonial protocol reserved for the emperor.
As the most prestigious city gate in ancient China, Yingtian Gate has left a profound influence on subsequent imperial architectures, including the Xuanwu Gate of the Northern Song capital Bianjing, the Chongtian Gate of the Yuan capital Dadu, and the Meridian Gate of the Ming and Qing dynasties’ Forbidden City. Its name has even been adopted by Kyoto, Japan, as “Yingtian Gate.” Yingtian Gate is revered as the “first gate of the Sui and Tang dynasties” and holds the title of “the first gate under heaven,” underscoring its pivotal role in the architectural history of Chinese imperial cities.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | 60 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 22.00; Last admission: 21.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0379-65063201 |
Location and Transportation
Yingtian Gate is situated at 23 Dingding South Road in the Old City District of Luoyang City, Henan Province, China. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 8, 26, 52, 53, 61, 65, 76, 81, 93, 106, 305, 501, 505, 509, 888, 889, 939, 998, Holiday Line 1, Tourist Line 1 and get off at Yingtian gate Stop (应天门站).
Metro: The closest metro station to the attraction is Yingtianmen (应天门) on line 1. After getting out of the station from Exit A, you will see the gate right in front of you.
