Panmen Gate
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With a history of 2,500 years, this city gate is the most completely preserved part of the ruins of the ancient city of Suzhou. From the top of the gate, you can see the Wumen Gate Bridge and the Auspicious Light Pagoda. Together, they are popularly known as the Three Scenes at Panmen Gate.
Panmen Gate is one of Eight Gates of Suzhou ancient town and was built in 514 BC. It was given the name "Coiled Dragon Gate" because a coiled dragon made of wood was put over the city gate to terrorize Yue State. Later it was renamed "Panmen (winding) Gate" because rivers are crisscross. The existing city gate was built in Yuan Dynasy and the gate tower was rebuilt in the early summer of 1986. Land Gate is composed of the outside gate and the inside gate, between which there is an "urn city" where the hidden soldiers laid siege to the enemy. Water Gate is closely connected with Land Gate and is also composed of the outside gate and the inside gate, between which there is an underground passage which linked the gate tower. In order to set up defenses and defend the city there is a huge floodgate in Water and Land
Gate which was lifted and closed by a windlass. Visitors can see the layout and the overall picture of land gate and water gate.
There is an inscription on top of tablet over the gate which says: "the key to Wu kingdom" and a pair of antithetical couplet on both sides of the gate: "In Wu State Ancient cities and plains were great, in ancient times disputes and wars are numerous." The gate was position at a very strategically important position for the city.
The Wu Gate Bridge is near Panmen Gate and stretched over ancient cannel. First built in Song Dynasty and rebuilt in Qing Dynasty, this bridge has a history as long as more than 130 years. It is the highest single span stone bridge in existence in the Suzhou urban area. The total length of the bridge is 66.3 meters, the span of arch is 16 meters long, bridge arch is 9.85 meters high and the shape is like a full moon. Every Bridge step on northern and southern slopes is paved by a single flagstone. Bridge rails are carved stones. Ascending the stairs, visitors can see waterways are like a labyrinth, bridges are vertical-horizontal, boats and ships come and go, city wall is continuous, and ancient towers stand towering. Having a panoramic view of faraway mountains and nearby water and style and features of ancient city makes people completely relaxed and happy.
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The gate consists of two water passes, two land gates, an ambush area outside a city gate, a city tower and city walls on both sides, which are rarely seen in the rest of the country View Details