Zhengyangmen was first built in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty and once consisted of the gatehouse proper and an archery tower; which were connected by side walls and together with side gates; formed a large barbican. The gate guarded the direct entry into the imperial city.

During the Boxer Rebellion of 1900; the gate sustained considerable damage when the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded the city. The gate complex was extensively reconstructed in 1914. The Barbican side gates were torn down in 1915.

After the Communist victory in 1949; the Zhengyangmen gatehouse was occupied by the Beijing garrison of the People's Liberation Army. The military vacated the gatehouse in 1980.