The Donggong Gate is the main entrance of the Summer Palace. There are three door openings in the center. The middle door is called the Imperial Road Gate, which is exclusively for Empress Dowager Cixi, the emperor, and the empress to enter and exit. The door openings on both sides are for princes and ministers to enter and exit. The Donggong Gate is a five-bay hip-and-gable roof palace gate. There are three bays on the bright side and two bays on the dark side.
The steps of the palace gate are in the form of pendants, indicating the level of its construction. Under the eaves of the palace gate and above the main gate, the plaque of ‘Summer Palace’ is resplendent. Around it are engraved nine vivid golden dragons. It is known as the ‘Nine-Dragon Gilded Plaque’ and is a treasure written by Emperor Guangxu. ‘Yihe’ means nourishing the spirit and having a peaceful mood. There are five seals engraved on the plaque, namely, Treasure Written by Emperor Guangxu, Treasure Viewed by Empress Dowager Cixi, A Few Plum Blossoms, the Heart of Heaven and Earth, Peace, Benevolence and Agreement with Heaven and Earth, and Long Spring Days Under the Beautiful Sun. Although it is written by Emperor Guangxu, on the plaque, the seal in the center at the top is the seal of Empress Dowager Cixi, Treasure Viewed by Empress Dowager Cixi. On both sides are A Few Plum Blossoms, the Heart of Heaven and Earth and Peace, Benevolence and Agreement with Heaven and Earth, while the emperor’s seal is placed on the right side of the plaque. Opening hours: Open from 06:30 to 19:00 all year round.Donggong Gate
The Donggong Gate is the main entrance of the Summer Palace. There are three door openings in the ce[...]
