Kinmen

Kinmen

Kinmen is a Suzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Kinmen

Kinmen 　　During the Republican era, in order to connect Guanqian Street with the Shiquan commercial district, the South New Bridge was built in 1921, and the Kinmen Gate was opened in 1922. However, the following year, the war between warlords Qi Xieyuan and Lu Yongxiang broke out, bringing disaster to Suzhou. The local gentry believed that opening the Kinmen Gate brought misfortune, so it was bricked up again, and a new Shiquan Gate was opened 60 meters to the south. Although the new Shiquan Gate aligned directly with Jingde Road and seemed more convenient, people still had to make a turn after exiting the city before reaching the South New Bridge. Moreover, the location and height were unsuitable. As a result, work began in 1929 to reopen the Kinmen Gate, which was completed in 1931. The exterior was aligned in a straight line with the South New Bridge, while the interior connected to Jingde Road along a curved path. The gate was designed in a Romanesque style and featured three archways.