The Great
Palace Gate of Ming Tombs was the main entrance to the tomb area, built
in 1426. There used to be a 40 kilometre-long (24.8-mile-long) wall
stretching out from this Great Palace Gate and surrounding the cemetery.
The Great
Palace Gate has three passageways:
the
central one was for the deceased emperor
only;
the
living emperors who went to pay respects to their ancestors used the
side passages.
As a forbidden
place, no one was allowed to cultivate the land, cut the wood in this
area, or take away stone or soil from this area. Nobody could enter
the Great Palace Gate on horseback. Two stone tablets, each placed on
one side of the gate, are inscribed with the words Officials and
others shall dismount here. The emperor and court officials had
to get off their horses or palanquins at this site.