Meridian Gate
The Meridian Gate is the main entrance of the Forbidden City and the largest of the four city gates. It has a history of nearly 600 years and is now an important exhibition hall of the Palace Museum.
There are three gates in the middle of the Meridian Gate tower, and a side gate is set on each side. The gate in the very center has very strict access regulations. Only the reigning emperor, when the empress enters the palace in a bridal sedan on the wedding day, and the first - ranked scholar, the second - ranked scholar, and the third - ranked scholar of the final imperial examination can pass through it once when leaving the palace.
The Meridian Gate is also the place where the emperor held important ceremonies. During a large - scale triumphal ceremony of presenting prisoners of war, the emperor would ascend the tower of the Meridian Gate to receive worship, fully demonstrating the imperial majesty.
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