Shenwu Gate is the north gate of the Forbidden City. It was built in 1420 and is known as Xuanwu Gate. When it was rebuilt in the Kangxi year of the Qing Dynasty, it was renamed Shenwumen to avoid the name taboo of Emperor Kangxi Xuanye. The old bells and drums of Shenwumen are managed by Luan Yiwei, and the Qintian Supervisor directs the clocks to be changed, and a doctor takes turns to watch them every day. The bell is rung 108 times after dusk every day, and the drum is beaten after the bell to start the watch. After that, the bells and drums are rung every time, and the bells are rung again at dawn. The bell does not ring when the emperor is in the palace. As the back door of the palace, Shenwu Gate is an important access point for daily access to the palace. The empresses of the Ming and Qing dynasties used this door to enter and exit during wedding ceremonies. In the Qing Dynasty, women were drafted every three years, and candidates entered the palace through this side door. In 1924, the late Emperor Puyi was expelled from the palace and left through this door when he left the palace.
Telephone
010-85007428
Reference when using
Less than 1 hour
transportation
Bus: Take bus 101 and get off at the Forbidden City, then walk 182 meters to get there
Tickets
60 yuan in peak season, 40 yuan in low season
Opening hours
All day (January 1st - December 31st, Monday - Sunday)