The Zhengyangmen Gate comprises two tall buildings oriented south-north at the southern end of Tian'anmen Square, with the gate tower in the north and the archery tower in the south.

The Zhengyangmen Gate as the central south gate of the inner city during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it is ranked higher in design and size than other city gates. As the iconic landmark of Beijing's framework of the walled-city, Zhengyangmen Gate Tower and Archery Tower are the conspicuous buildings in the Qianmen Area. On the Zhengyangmen Gate Tower, the Tian'anmen Gate and Tian'anmen Square can be viewed in the distance to the north, while the Yongdingmen Gate is visible in the distance to the south from the Archery Tower.

As the central south gate of Beijing's inner city, the Zhengyangmen Gate had the combined functions of military defense, urban management, and ceremonial traditions. The Imperial Road beneath the Gate was preserved for the emperor when he left the city for activities such as the sacrificial ceremonies in the southern suburbs and the hunting tours to the Nanyuan (Southern Imperial Garden). On other days, the Archery Tower was kept closed, with local residents using the side gates under the blockhouses to the west and the east. With curfew imposed during the Ming and Qing dynasties, as a means of urban management, the Zhengyangmen Gate was opened and closed when the Bell and Drum Towers sounded the time to control the flow of citizens. The renovations of the Zhengyangmen Gate in the early 20th century witnessed the process of public transformation of Beijing Central Axis. Today, the Zhengyangmen Gate Tower and Archery Tower are open to the public as museums.