East Glorious Gate, Gatehouse at Forbidden City, China
The East Glorious Gate is a gatehouse with three passages that serves as a main entrance to the Forbidden City complex in Beijing. Its structure features stone walls, decorative elements, and controlled passageways that connect to the broader palace layout.
The gate was built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty as part of the Forbidden City's defensive system. Its construction formed part of a larger building phase that shaped the entire eastern side of the complex.
The name refers to its eastern position and grand entry role in court rituals. Visitors can still observe the stone platforms and architectural details that mark where official ceremonies and processions once passed through.
The gate provides straightforward access and serves as a convenient entry point for exploring the complex from this direction. Visitors should note that the pathways around it lead to different sections of the palace, so having a general sense of direction helps.
The gate differs from typical palace gate decoration and displays eight rows of door nails rather than the standard nine rows. This variation reveals subtle design choices made for different entrances throughout the complex.
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