Friendship Gate

Location:

It is about 18 kilometers southwest from Pingxiang City.

Special Distinction:

Youyi Guan (Friendship Gate) is the biggest and most important port at the Sino-Vietnamese border.

Brief introduction

Pingxiang has long been a site of strategic importance on the Sino-Vietnamese border. The city is surrounded by mountains. At both sides of its gateway to Vietnam, mountains stand precariously, and a tower-style house stands on the gorge channel. It is 22 meters high, with a thick wall as its base and a central dome as its gate. On its arch are engraved three Chinese characters “You Yi Guan” (Friendship Gate), ascribed by Marshal Chen Yi.

Youyi Guan (Friendship Gate), previously called Zhengnan Guan, was originally built during Han Dynasty. It is regarded now as one of the top nine gates in China. In 1885, General Feng Zhicai of the Qing Dynasty defeated French invaders here, and the battlefield site has been preserved. Local people call the battle “Zhengnan Guan Big Blow” After the communist’s takeover, the gate was named Youyi Guan so as to enhance the friendship and brotherhood of the Chinese and Vietnamese people.