Meridian Gate (Wu Men)

Welcome to the Meridian Gate, or Wu Men, the grand southern entrance to the Forbidden City, the largest and most complete imperial palace complex in the world. As you stand here, you are facing a structure that represents the…

As you approach the base of the gate, you will notice five distinct openings, though from the front, it appears there are only three. This architectural deception is intentional, reinforcing the rigid social hierarchy of the…

Stepping through the Meridian Gate, you emerge into a vast courtyard bisected by the Inner Golden Water River. This stream is not merely decorative; it serves as a firebreak and follows the principles of Feng Shui, providing a…

The Meridian Gate is often called the 'Phoenix Wing Gate' because of the two protruding arms that create the courtyard's southern boundary. These wings are topped with two pavilions on each side, which historically housed bells…

Directly north of the Meridian Gate, beyond the Golden Water River, stands the Hall of Supreme Harmony, known as Tai He Dian. This is the largest surviving wooden structure in China and the ceremonial heart of the empire. …

Continuing north along the central axis, you find the Hall of Central Harmony, or Zhong He Dian, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony, or Bao He Dian. The Hall of Central Harmony is a smaller, square building that served as a…

As we conclude our exploration of the Meridian Gate and the outer court of the Forbidden City, take a moment to look back at the massive structure you entered through. The Meridian Gate stands as a sentinel of history, a physical…