Beimen_Cheng'en Gate (Currently Closed)

※This attraction is currently closed. Please refer to announcements from the competent authority for the opening date. Taipei Ancient City originally had five city gates: East Gate (Jingfu Gate), West Gate (Baocheng Gate), South Gate (Lizheng Gate), Little South Gate (Chongxi Gate), and North Gate (Cheng'en Gate). These were built during the Qing Dynasty's Guangxu era, under Liu Mingchuan's administration, to encourage merchants to invest in constructing houses within Taipei City, forming streets and stimulating development. The North Gate, also known as Cheng'en Gate, faces north, symbolizing 'receiving heavenly grace'. It is the only remaining city gate in Taipei that retains its original Southern Min (Minnan) architectural style. Its strategic location makes it a pivotal landmark in the 'West District' of old Taipei today, and during the Qing Dynasty, it was the core gateway from 'within the city' to 'Dadaocheng'. Therefore, the West District Gateway Project centers on the North Gate, connecting surrounding Japanese colonial era sites such as the 'Railway Department', 'Taipei Post Office', 'Osaka Shosha', and 'Mitsui Warehouse', as well as Qing Dynasty heritage sites like the 'Futai Street Mansion' and 'Machinery Bureau'. This creates a 'planar' historical tourism network and aims to establish a national gateway image at the plaza in front of Taipei Main Station, linking the axis between Taipei Main Station and the North Gate. The North Gate, which was originally slated for demolition in recent construction plans, was preserved in its original form as the concept of cultural heritage preservation gained traction. Among the five gates, the North Gate is the only ancient city gate that retains its appearance from the Qing Dynasty, making it one of Taipei's most precious national historic sites. Its early defensive function also makes it a historical testament to national defense.