Panorama of the Meridian Gate

The Meridian Gate, more commonly known as Five-Phoenix Tower (Wufeng lou) because of the five pavilions on top, is the southern entrance to the imperial palace. The centre passage-way was reserved solely for the emperor. Officials went in and out through the east gate, and members of the imperial family used the west gate. When the emperor held grand ceremonies, drums and bells in the main gate's tower were struck, to maintain imperial dignity. Every year the official lunar calender was issued from here in a special ceremony.