South East Corner Watchtower Beijing

South East Corner Watchtower Dongnan Jiaolou 東南角樓

Dates from the Ming Dynasty
Red Gate Gallery art gallery inside
Saw fighting during the Boxer Rebellion
Soldiers' graffiti etched in the walls
Part of Ming City Wall Ruins Park
Close to Beijing Train Station & Ancient Observatory

The Ming dynasty South East Corner Watchtower (Dongnan Jiaolou) is a massive, stone fortification not far from Beijing Train Station.

Long-distance trains to and from Beijing are visible pulling in to the station below.

Southeast Corner Watchtower, Beijing. — South East Corner Watchtower Dongnan Jiaolou, Beijing

Attached to the tower is a 100m long section of the original inner city walls which run into the restored Ming City Wall and park running to the west.

Inside the fort's impressive red, wooden interior is the Red Gate Gallery (Tel: 6525 1005), which exhibits contemporary Chinese art. The Red Gate Gallery was founded in 1991 by Australian art-lover Brian Wallace.

The South East Corner Watchtower was stormed by western forces during the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) and soldiers' graffiti can still be seen carved into the stone walls at certain places.

Dongnan Jiaolou Access - how to get to the South East Corner Watchtower

Dongnan Jiaolou
9 am-5 pm
Admission fee
Tel: 8512 1554

Jianguomen or Chongwenmen Subway Stations on the Circle Line. Walk south for about 15 minutes under the railway bridge from Jianguomen Station or walk east for about 15-20 minutes along the Ming City Wall from Chongwenmen Station (Exit B).