The Summer Palace East Palace Gate

Standing at the East Palace Gate, my eyes were attracted by the nine-dragon gilded plaque with the words "Summer Palace" written by Emperor Guangxu, with vigorous and powerful handwriting. The bronze lion in front of the gate is majestic, with delicate and exquisite patterns. Stepping into it, the ancient cypresses are towering and green. This is the starting point of the Summer Palace, carrying the weight of history, and starting my wonderful journey to explore the splendor of the royal garden.

The East Palace Gate is also called the Great Palace Gate. It is the main gate of the Summer Palace. The palace gate has five doors, three open and two dark. It forms the front area together with the East Palace Gate Archway, the Great Shadow Wall, and the North and South Dynasty Rooms. The gate is a five-door hip roof style hall. Three gates and two duty rooms. In front of the middle gate is a cloud dragon stone. It corresponds to the eaves plaque. 🏯｜Scenic spot name｜Summer Palace 📮｜Detailed address｜No. 19, Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing ⌚️｜Opening hours｜ Peak season (4.1-10.31) 6:00-18:00 Off-season (11.1-3.31) 7:00-17:00 🎫｜Ticket price｜ Peak season 30 yuan/person; combined ticket 60 yuan/person Off-season 20 yuan/person; combined ticket 50 yuan/person 🚌｜Transportation route｜ 🔸Get off at Baguo Station on Line 10, transfer to Bus No. 74, and Xinjian Gongmen Station is across the road 🔸Get off at Baguo Station on Line 10, transfer to Xijiao Line and get off at Summer Palace West Gate Station

The East Palace Gate is the most important main gate in the history of the Summer Palace. The buildings outside the East Palace Gate are, from west to east, the East Palace Gate, the Chaofang, the Great Screen Wall, the Jinshui River, the Square, and the Hanxu Archway. The structure is rigorous and orderly, forming the first landscape when entering the Summer Palace.

The main gate of the Summer Palace has a pair of bronze lions outside the gate, which are very majestic. It highlights the characteristics of the royal garden. The East Palace Gate is dignified and magnificent, with a nine-ridged hip-and-gable structure with three bright and two dark. The middle of the main gate is paved with an imperial road, which is a road exclusively for the emperor. There is a gate on each side for the princes and nobles to walk. Above the main gate hangs a golden plaque with nine dragons on the border, inscribed by Emperor Guangxu: "Summer Palace".

The East Palace Gate area is located at the easternmost part of the Summer Palace. This area was originally where the Qing emperors conducted political activities and lived, including the Renshou Hall where they met with ministers, the Northern and Southern Court Rooms, the sleeping palace, the large stage, the courtyard, etc. The door lintels and eaves are all painted with gorgeous patterns in oil paint. The six vermilion doors are neatly inlaid with yellow door nails, and under the eaves in the middle hangs a large plaque with nine dragons and golden characters on it, with the three characters "Summer Palace" written on it, which was written by Emperor Guangxu himself.