THE FORBIDDEN CITY, Meridian Gate

The Meridian Gate is also known as the Five Phoenix Turrets, a reference to the five tower pavilions around it. The central tower, with two glazed tile roofs, is 60 meters high and sits on a 12-meter-high red base, where you’ll see three entrances.

Anyone arriving in the Forbidden City had to observe very strict rules. The central entrance was reserved for the emperor only, with two exceptions: the empress, who had the privilege of using it to enter on her wedding day, and the top three students in the imperial examinations, who were allowed to exit through the gate. The two smaller gates were used respectively for ministers and public officials, and for the royal family.

At the two sides of the central tower, you can see the bells that were rung to announce the emperor’s departure for the Temple of Heaven.

Now press pause and press play again once you enter....