Entering the large square between Du An Men and the massive South Ceremonial Gate to the Imperial Palace, Wu Men. Wu Men or Gate of the Meridian was the Main Gate for Visitors to the Inner Imperial City, known for and designated its purple colored Walls. In addition to being the entry point for high Imperial Officials and the Like (no others allowed) , Wu Men was also used as Platform for Official Communications from The Emperor and Imperial Court. Important Policy Statements would be read here, as well as Officials punished and Flogged for their mis-behaviour, perceived or real. Last but certainly not least the Wu Men was a Central Point in official Ceremonial Celebrations, and at the Chinese New Year the Imperial Court distributed Mooncakes and snacks at the Lantern Lit Gate. Around that Time the (new) Lunar Calendar would be announced at this Gate, accompanied by sounds from The
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Enter the Gugong -
An off-season photo of the central axis of the Palace and the City of Beijing. Wu Men, without tourist crowds bathing in sunlight.
issued.
Go on to Wu Men and find the ticket office West at its Base in a small side-office.
The Imperial Palace Museum
- The Wumen , Meridian Gate and 5 Phoenix Tower -
This page was last updated on: October 21, 2008
Bells & Drums atop the Gate
Platform. Explore around the large square and find other attractions scattered around. From here one can buy a ticket and walk inside and on top of the Platform at Du An Men. Other
options are to get your picture taken with Five Phoenix Tower as your background, while dressed in an Imperial Ching Outfit. Become and Emperor, Empress or Concubine, buy some of the souvenir and tour books at one of the many stands (booths).
Watch out for pick-pockets ! This square seems like a reasonable spot for theft.
If you don't like the crowds or photo-taking, go around the square and study the interesting set of Ching Dynasty canon that are on display here. In the very late Ching Dynasty, the chinese had guns too. But .. soon they proved no match for the onslaught of the industrial age forces that were to be thrown against them.
During the Ming and Ching Dynasties, ceremonies were held at Wu Men whenever a General and his Armies were dispatched on expediations, when the army returned in triumph, when prisoners of war were presented to the Emperor and when a new official Almanak or Encyclopedia was
The Official schematic Map of The Forbidden City, by The Palace Museum.
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View of the space between Tian an Men and Wu Men from the exit of TiananMen.
Qing Dynasty Era bronze canons on display beneath Tian an Men. The Ching Canons were augmented with the help of European scientists.
Wu Men - Meridian Gate - Five Phoenix Tower (Wu Feng Lou) :
The meridian Gate , more commonly known as Wu Feng Lou, five phoenix tower, after its 5 magnificent pavilions lining the central
Gate Platform, is the southern Entrance to the Imperial Palace. Traditionally known and used as the Main Ceremonial Gate, the central passage through the Gate was exclusively reserved for the Emperor's use. Officials were to enter through the left side of the Gate, whereas members of the Royal Family would use the right side of the Gate. Commoners simply were not allowed and any
attempt to enter the Palace beyond Wu Men would be regarded a serious offence punishable by Death.
Wu Men is the Gate into Tze-Chin-Ch'eng or the Purple Forbidden City, the innermost Imperial City and the Imperial Palace. Those entering within these purple colored walls without official permission were in for "100 blows of the Bamboo Rod" or "Death by Strangulation". Hence, the nickname : Forbidden City" came into being.
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When the Emperor had entered the TaiHe Dian -the Official Ceremonial Throne Hall of the Outer Court- for ceremonies, drums and bells would be sounded inside the Towers of Wu Men. The official function of this was to "Maintain Imperial Dignity", which can could be loosely translated as "letting everyone know the important imperial court was in fucntion". Thus citizens would feel secured by the Imeprial presence and harmonious life could continue.
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