Shenwu Gate

神武门

Shenwu Gate is the north gate of the Forbidden City. It was built in 1420 and was called Xuanwu Gate in the Ming Dynasty. When it was rebuilt during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, it was renamed Shenwu Gate to avoid the taboo of Emperor Kangxi Xuanye. Shenwu Gate used to have bells and drums, which were managed by the Imperial Guards. The Imperial Astronomical Observatory instructed the watch, and one doctor took turns every day. The bells were rung 108 times after dusk every day, and the drums were beaten after the bells. After that, the bells were beaten every shift, and the bells were rung again at dawn. The bells were not rung when the emperor lived in the palace. Shenwu Gate, as the back door of the palace, was an important gate for daily entry and exit of the palace. The empresses of the Ming and Qing dynasties entered and exited through this gate for the silkworm ceremony. The Qing Dynasty selected concubines every three years, and the candidates entered the palace through this side door. In 1924, the abdicated emperor Puyi was expelled from the palace, and he also left through this gate when he left the palace that day.

Introduction

  • Attraction Location: Central Beijing, inside the Forbidden City (北京市中心, 故宫内)

  • History: Shenwu Gate, also known as the Gate of Divine Might, is the northern gate of the Forbidden City. It was originally built in the early 15th century during the Ming Dynasty. Historically, it served as a ceremonial and defensive gate, symbolizing imperial authority and military strength.
  • Architecture: The gate is constructed in traditional Chinese imperial style with large wooden doors, red-painted walls, golden roof tiles, and stone staircases. Decorative carvings, guardian lion statues, and ornate roof brackets reflect classical Chinese architectural aesthetics.
  • Cultural Value: Shenwu Gate is part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Forbidden City (故宫博物院). It represents imperial Chinese culture, military symbolism, and ceremonial traditions. The gate is often included in historical studies and guided tours of the Forbidden City.
  • Other Information: Today, Shenwu Gate is mostly used for visitor entrance and exit, particularly from the north. It offers views of the northern courtyards and defensive architecture of the Forbidden City.

Visiting Information

  • Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (March – October)
    8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (November – February)

  • Contact Number: +86 10 8500 7421
  • Ticket Price: Adult ¥60 (April – October)
    Adult ¥40 (November – March)
    Students & Children (with valid ID) ¥30
  • Best Photo Spots:
    View of northern courtyards from the top of Shenwu Gate
    Gate façade with red walls and golden roof tiles
    Stone staircases with guardian lion statues
  • Time Reference: Early morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds and soft lighting

Where to Sleep (Nearby Hotels & Stays)

  • Luxury:
    The Peninsula Beijing (北京王府半岛酒店)
    Waldorf Astoria Beijing (北京华尔道夫酒店)
  • Mid-range:
    Novotel Beijing Peace (北京诺富特和平宾馆)
    Beijing Double Happiness Courtyard Hotel (北京双喜胡同客栈)
  • Budget & Boutique:
    Beijing Drum Tower Hostel (北京鼓楼青年旅舍)
    Local hutong guesthouses (北京胡同民宿)

What & Where to Eat

  • Must-Try Dishes:
    Peking Duck (北京烤鸭)
    Zha Jiang Mian (炸酱面)
    Jiaozi (饺子)
  • Famous Spots:
    Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant (全聚德烤鸭店)
    Da Dong Roast Duck (大董烤鸭店)
    Huguosi Noodle House (护国寺小吃)

What Souvenirs to Buy

  • Miniature Forbidden City models
    Chinese calligraphy and brush sets
    Peking Duck sauce and local snacks
    Traditional Chinese silk scarves or fans

Transportation

  • By Subway: Tiananmen East Station (天安门东站) – Line 1, walk north through the Forbidden City
  • By Bus: Take buses 1, 52, 82, or 99 to Tiananmen West/ East (天安门西/东) bus stops, then walk north
  • By Taxi/Car: Drive to the northern entrance of the Forbidden City; parking is limited
  • By Bicycle: Bike rental available near Tiananmen Square, then follow pedestrian routes to the northern gate

Nearby Attractions

  • Forbidden City Main Palaces (故宫主要宫殿), 0 km – inside the same complex
  • Tiananmen Square (天安门广场), 1.5 km south – walk south through Meridian Gate (午门)
  • Jingshan Park (景山公园), 1.2 km north – walk north from Shenwu Gate

Tips for Visitors

  • Enter through the north or south gate depending on your route; the north (Shenwu Gate) is less crowded.
  • Carry ID for ticket purchase; some discounts are available for students and seniors.
  • Wear comfortable shoes; the Forbidden City is large and requires walking on stone pathways.
  • Photography is allowed, but drones and tripods are restricted.
  • Check for weather; the area can be hot in summer and icy in winter.
  • Buy tickets in advance online during peak season to avoid long queues.

Recommended itineraries

  • Half-Day Historical Tour:
    D1: Enter Shenwu Gate (神武门) – explore northern courtyards – exit through the Meridian Gate (午门)
    Transportation: Walk inside Forbidden City
  • Full-Day Cultural Tour:
    D1: Shenwu Gate (神武门) – Jingshan Park (景山公园) – Tiananmen Square (天安门广场) – National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆)
    Transportation: Walk from Shenwu Gate to Jingshan Park; short walk or taxi to Tiananmen Square and museum
  • 2-Day Beijing Imperial Route:
    D1: Shenwu Gate (神武门) – Forbidden City (故宫) – Jingshan Park (景山公园)
    D2: Temple of Heaven (天坛) – Qianmen Street (前门大街) – Wangfujing Street (王府井大街)
    Transportation: Walk between Shenwu Gate and Jingshan Park; subway Line 5 to Temple of Heaven; taxi or walk to Qianmen/Wangfujing

User Reviews

By zhm_jinan |

Shenwu Gate is the north gate of the Forbidden City. It was built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1420). It was originally named Xuanwu Gate, after the Xuanwu, one of the ancient "Four Gods", representing the north. Later, it was renamed Shenwu Gate to avoid the taboo of Emperor Kangxi's name.

By Yuhao |

Shenwu Gate is the north gate of the Forbidden City. It was built in the 18th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (1420) and was called Xuanwu Gate in the Ming Dynasty. Xuanwu is one of the four ancient sacred beasts. In terms of orientation, there is a blue dragon on the left, a white tiger on the right, a red bird in front, and a Xuanwu behind. Xuanwu is the ruler of the north, so the north gate of the imperial palace is often named "Xuanwu". When it was rebuilt during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, it was renamed Shenwu Gate to avoid the name of Emperor Kangxi Xuanye. As the back door of the imperial palace, Shenwu Gate is an important access control for daily entry and exit of the palace. The empresses of the Ming and Qing dynasties entered and exited through this gate for the silkworm ceremony. When the emperors of the Qing Dynasty returned from Rehe or the Old Summer Palace, they often entered the palace from this gate. This gate is also a special gate for concubines and royal family members to enter and exit the palace. When the emperor went on a tour, he could leave the palace from the Meridian Gate, but the concubines who accompanied him had to leave the palace from the Shenwu Gate. If the emperor accompanied the empress dowager out of the palace, they would leave the Shenwu Gate together. In the Qing Dynasty, the selection of concubines was held every three years, and the candidates entered the palace through this side door to be selected. In 1924, the abdicated emperor Puyi was expelled from the palace, and he left through this gate on the same day.

By Chu Yunfei QQ |

The north end of the Palace Museum. Now you can only enter the Palace Museum from the Meridian Gate and exit from the Shenwu Gate. The Meridian Gate is the south gate of the Palace Museum, and the Shenwu Gate is the north gate of the Palace Museum. The Shenwu Gate is located in the middle of the north side of the Palace Museum, with a corner tower at each end. The light and color are beautiful at sunrise and sunset.

By July |

The back door of the Forbidden City, Shenwu Gate, is also the place where many stories about the harem took place. The palace walls are very deep. Opposite Shenwu Gate is Jingshan, where you can have a panoramic view of the Forbidden City. It is an excellent place to view the panoramic view of the Forbidden City.

By DrZou |

The main gate of the Forbidden City is just across the road from Jingshan.

By jkmeil |

The north gate of the Forbidden City was originally named Xuanwu Gate. It was renamed Shenwu Gate in the Qing Dynasty to avoid the name of Emperor Kangxi.

By scorpion |

The tower is majestic, and the mottled red walls seem to have written countless stories. The embarrassing thing is that you can't enter from the Shenwu Gate, you have to enter from the South Gate. It seems that you get up early and arrive late.

By 鄭三丁 |

神武門是北京紫禁城的北門,門外是筒子河(護城河),向北通往景山公園,參觀故宮博物院需南進北出,也就是從午門進入由神武門離開。

By Mud Sauce |

My Beijing travel notes: http://www.mafengwo.cn/i/10941426.html

Shenwu Gate is the gate that serves as the exit on the central axis of the Forbidden City. Special exhibitions are sometimes held in the Shenwu Gate exhibition hall, such as the "Treasures of the Aegean" series of exhibitions that I saw during the Mid-Autumn Festival in 2018. These exhibits came from shipwrecks salvaged from the Aegean Sea, which means that the cultural relics had been submerged in the sea for more than two thousand years.

The marble statue in the picture below is half buried in the mud on the seabed and half exposed in the sea water, so when it was salvaged, it became half intact and half corroded, especially in "Silent Hill".

By Go your own way |

Shenwu Gate, the north gate of the Forbidden City, was built in the Ming Dynasty and was called "Xuanwu Gate" at that time.

By JoyiiF |

Standing on the gate of Shenwu Gate, the wind was really strong. Looking at the scene where the Forbidden City buildings and modern high-rise buildings intersect, I have to say that the feeling of traveling through time in a TV series really came to me...

By Haihe River |

Each cultural relic and historic site has its own unique historical story and charm.

By Purple Orange |

It witnesses the constant flow of people every day. No matter what, it guards the Forbidden City.

By Revisiting the past to learn about the past |

The north gate of the Forbidden City. Built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1420), it was originally named Xuanwu Gate, after the Xuanwu of the ancient "Four Gods", representing the north. Later, it was renamed Shenwu Gate to avoid the taboo of Emperor Kangxi Xuanye. There are bells and drums inside, corresponding to the bell and drum tower, used to tell the time. But when the emperor is in the palace, the bell on the Shenwu Gate does not ring. There are three gates on the city platform. The emperor and empress go through the middle main gate, while concubines, officials, guards, eunuchs and craftsmen go in and out through the gates on both sides. In the Qing Dynasty, concubines were welcomed into the palace through this gate when selecting concubines. In 1924, the abdicated emperor Puyi was expelled from the palace and left through this gate. The plaque above the gate, "The Palace Museum", was written by the famous historian Guo Moruo in 1971.

By sun god |

Shenwu Gate is the north gate of the Forbidden City (Palace Museum). Currently, the Forbidden City is open to one-way visitors, so you can enter from the south gate Wumen and exit from the north gate Shenwu Gate after your visit. Opposite Shenwu Gate is Jingshan Park. If you have time, you can go to Jingshan Park after visiting the Forbidden City. Remember that the ticket is very cheap at around 5 yuan.

By Black Horse |

"Shenwu Gate" is tall and thick. Passing through the thick "Shenwu Gate" and looking back at the mysterious Forbidden City, you will be filled with emotion.

By Lala Guo 1977 |

The north gate of the Forbidden City. Built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty, it was originally named Xuanwu Gate, after the ancient "Four Gods" Xuanwu, which represents the north. Later, it was renamed Shenwu Gate to avoid the name of Emperor Kangxi Xuanye. The Chinese characters "Palace Museum" were written by Guo Moruo.

By Rise from Fire |

On June 13 this year, the tenth "Chinese Cultural Heritage Day", the Forbidden City officially implemented a mandatory flow limit of 80,000 people per day. At the same time, the real-name ticketing system was fully implemented, and each person was limited to one ticket per day. All tour groups made reservations and purchased tickets online. You can rent a smart guide to visit the Forbidden City. The guide seems to have a GPS sensing function. Whenever you walk near the indicated point on the guide map, the guide will automatically explain in great detail. Many scenic spots in Beijing use such guides, which are very advanced and intelligent, worthy of being the capital. (Tickets are 60 yuan and guides are 20 yuan)

By Sea Breeze Boat |

Shenwu Gate is the northern gate of the Forbidden City. You can only exit from here but not enter. The tower is quite majestic.