Zhuque Gate was originally the main southern gate of the Imperial City of Tang Chang’an. The famous Zhuque Avenue, the central north-south avenue of the Tang capital, began here. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, the area around Zhuque Gate was used for important imperial ceremonies and military events. In 589, after the Sui Dynasty unified China, Emperor Wen of Sui is said to have reviewed his victorious army from the gate tower. When Han Jian reduced the size of Chang’an in the late Tang Dynasty, Zhuque Gate was closed. During the restoration of Xi’an City Wall in 1985, archaeologists discovered the remains of the original Tang Dynasty Zhuque Gate buried within the Ming-era wall. The excavated remains revealed marble column bases, carved stone thresholds and carefully laid brickwork, providing important evidence of the scale and craftsmanship of Tang Chang’an. The present-day Zhuque Gate was opened in 1986, immediately west of the archaeological remains.

Wumu Gate is commonly known as Little South Gate (Xiaonanmen). Unlike Yongning and Zhuque Gates, it was not inherited from the ancient Sui and Tang imperial city. The gate was opened in 1939, during the Republican period, as a small passageway designed partly to provide local residents with access during wartime air raids. It was later renamed Wumu Gate in 1947 in memory of Jing Wumu (井勿幕), a prominent revolutionary from Shaanxi and one of the early members of the Tongmenghui. Jing Wumu played an important role in the revolutionary movement in Shaanxi and was later remembered by Sun Yat-sen and Huang Xing as an influential revolutionary figure in northwest China.  Today, Wumu Gate remains a much smaller and more local-looking gateway than Yongning Gate. The area around it is particularly famous among locals for its morning market and traditional Xi’an street food.

Hanguang Gate is the westernmost gate on the southern section of Xi’an City Wall. It was originally one of the western gates on the southern side of the Imperial City of Tang Chang’an. When Han Jian reduced the size of the city in the late Tang Dynasty, two of its original gate openings were closed, while one eastern opening remained in use. After the Northern Song period, the remaining opening was eventually closed as well. During the restoration of Xi’an City Wall in 1984, archaeologists discovered the remains of the original Tang Dynasty Hanguang Gate. Excavations revealed stone column bases, carved thresholds and other architectural remains. Today, the archaeological remains are preserved inside the Xi’an Tang Imperial City Hanguang Gate Ruins Museum. The modern City Wall was constructed around the archaeological site, allowing visitors to see the ancient remains while also experiencing the later Ming City Wall. The museum can be accessed directly from the City Wall, making Hanguang Gate particularly valuable for visitors interested in archaeology and the history of Tang Chang’an.

Jianguo Gate is the easternmost gate on the southern section of Xi’an City Wall. Unlike Yongning, Zhuque and Hanguang Gates, Jianguo Gate is a relatively modern addition to the city wall. It was opened along Jianguo Road and named to commemorate the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Although Jianguo Road is relatively short, the surrounding area has a remarkable historical background. According to historical research, the Tang Dynasty statesman Changsun Wuji once lived in this area. During the Republican period, the neighborhood was also associated with General Zhang Xueliang, one of the key figures connected with the Xi’an Incident. His former residence is now a nationally protected historic site.