The Xuanwumen Gate is a place deeply imprinted in the history of the Tang Dynasty, as it witnessed four famous political coups within three hundred years, all of which had a significant impact on the politics of the Tang Dynasty.

In 626 AD, the first political coup at Xuanwumen Gate occurred, which was also the most famous one. This coup was an internal struggle for the throne between Li Shimin and his two brothers. In the end, Li Shimin killed his brothers and nephews, seizing control of the court. Soon after, Li Yuan abdicated, and Li Shimin became the emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

The second coup took place in 705 AD, also known as the "Shenlong Coup" or the "Five Kings Coup". This coup was triggered by the dictatorship of Wu Zetian and her male favorites Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong, which had a negative impact on the political situation. Five ministers, Zhang Jianzhi, Cui Yuanhui, Huan Yanfan, Jing Hui, and Yuan Rushiji, conspired together and contacted General Li Duozuo of the Right Featherling Guards and General Li Xingzong of the Left Featherling Guards to attack the palace from Xuanwumen Gate, killing the Zhang brothers, forcing Wu Zetian to abdicate, and installing Crown Prince Li Xian as the new emperor. This coup marked the restoration of the Tang Dynasty, as it occurred in the first year of Tang Zhongzong's Shenlong reign. The five main conspirators, including Zhang Jianzhi, were later granted the title of "King".

The third coup occurred in 707 AD, also known as the "Jinglong Coup". After Li Xian regained the throne, his queen Wei and daughter Princess Anle conspired with Wu Sansi to control the court, causing much suspicion towards Crown Prince Li Chongjun. Princess Anle wanted to become the Crown Princess and saw Li Chongjun as a threat, so he allied with the generals of the Featherling Army to launch a coup, killing Wu Sansi and his followers. When they surrounded Xuanwumen Gate to kill Queen Wei, Li Xian persuaded the soldiers of the coup from the tower, leading to its failure and the death of Crown Prince Li Chongjun.

The fourth coup took place in 710 AD, also known as the "Tanglong Coup". After the failure of Li Chongjun's coup, Queen Wei and her supporters suppressed opposition forces, cultivated loyal followers, and caused chaos in the court. Especially after the sudden death of Emperor Li Xian, Queen Wei installed Li Chongmao as the new emperor. Prince Li Longji, son of Xiang Wang Li Dan, and Princess Taiping, unwilling to see the Tang Dynasty once again be usurped, persuaded the Featherling Army, which was controlled by Queen Wei's relatives, to defect and launched a military coup. Li Longji led his troops to attack Xuanwumen Gate, killing Queen Wei, Princess Anle, Shangguan Waner, and their followers. This coup eliminated the Wei faction, forcing Li Chongmao, who had reigned for less than a month, to abdicate. Li Dan returned to the throne, and Li Longji was appointed as the Crown Prince.

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