Tian An Men

The gate has five passages leading into the Forbidden City. In the past, the gate were closed except on ceremonial occasions. As you could imagine, the center passage is the biggest with successive smaller ones toward both sides. Only the emperor was entitled to use the center passage. Higher officials were to use the smaller ones according to their ranks. Outside, there are seven marble bridges crossing the Golden Water River. Shown here is the center passage and the center bridge.

 

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