There are three large gates in front of the Forbidden Palace, the Tian'anmen (which is the most famous), Duanmen (Upright gate) and Wumen (Meridian Gate). Each gate is topped by a nine-room wide hall with double roofs. The distance between Tian'anmen and Duanmen is about 200m, and the distance between Duanmen and Wumen is about 400m. As a whole, the three gates creates an atmosphere of aura and solemnness for a person entering the forbidden palace.
Duanmen is the least known gate of the three. It is not as well maintained as the other two gates, particularly Tian'anmen, which has probably undergone many restoration given its importance as the key political symbol of China.
The tablet inscription of the "Duanmen", hangs in the center of the hall's roof. A men dressed in Chinese Emperor's robe for a photo opportunity.
Front view of the Wumen, which has two protruding wings forming a small square in front of it. It has five buildings on top, the main hall and four towers at each corner. The gate is designed to overwhelm a person entering the forbidden palace. The gate has five arches. The three central arches are close together; the two flanking arches are farther apart from the three central arches. From the ground to the top of the hall is 40m.
The south-west tower of Wumen. Below the tower is the ticket office to the Forbidden Palace.
The three central arches and main hall of Wumen. Today, this is the south entrance to the Forbidden Palace. In imperial times, only the Emperor and Empress can use the gate in the center. The top scholars in the imperial exam can also use the central gate when they leave the palace after receiving the results.
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