Accolades

   The gate to Suzhou is said to have more than a 2,400 year history. It is said to have been the only gate in China with both a lower water entrance and an upper land entrance. It was built at a time when a canal moat surrounded Suzhou. The present structure was built in 1986. It is part of a park. It was built on the spot of another tower that was built about the year 1344 at the end of the Yuan Empire period.

History

   The present Panmen Gate was mostly built in the last few decades. About 2,500 years ago, a moat canal surrounded Suzhou and provided for convenient transportation. But a wall was built to defend the city, and in order to defend the canal passage, a tower was built over the canal.

   The present building has a history dating back to the Yuan Dynasty period (1271-1368 AD) when the Mongolians had a big empire. It was built about the year 1344. In 1976, the Suzhou government rebuilt the tower, and in 1983, construction was done on the canal. In 1986, the present red building was built. It has two floors.

Features

   The Pan Men Gate is part of the Panmen Scenic Area Park. There are three main attractions in the park. These are the Panmen Gate itself, the Wumen Bridge, and the Rui Guang Pagoda.

   The Pan Men Gate itself is a two-storey red house-like building with a curved roof. It doesn't look like a defensive building at all. It was built in 1986. However, the house-like building sits on a large solid base that has an arched opening. The canal passed underneath. A sluice gate was lowered to close off access. The first floor has an exhibit of ancient weapons.