In the centre of Beijing, just south of the Forbidden City, lies a large city square. History has made the name of this square famous. The square is in fact named after the gate at its northern end—Tian’anmen. However, this is just one of several gates that were built into the old walls of Beijing. Most of the other walls and gates were torn down in order to allow the city to modernise and build new, wider, roads throughout. Just a few examples of the old wall remain. This picture shows one of them. This is Qiamen gate. It is at the south end of Tian’anmen Square and on the same central axix as Tian’anmen gate and the Forbidden City. Under Qianmen is a subway station and so it is here that you, as a tourist going to Tian’anmen, would arrive.
I’ve visited Beijing properly, twice now (several times through the airport though). On the last occasion I stayed in a Youth Hostel, not far from Qiamen gate. This area is known as Chongwen District. Near to Qianmen, man old Hutongs, the traditional courtyard house of Beijing, have been restored. I is amazing that you can get cheap accommodation right in the centre of the city and so close to all the famous tourist sites. If you’re planning a trip to Beijing, I’d recommend that you look at the Hotels and Hostels in this area for shear convenience .