Most travelers enter the forbidden city through tiananmen , the gate of heavenly peace. through the gate, across an expansive brick-paved square. you will reach the main entrance to the palace. meridian gate (women in chinese). meridian gate was the place where the emperor announced the new lunar calendar on the winter solstice. enter through meridian gate, and go across golden stream bridge, then you will arrive at the outer court. the forbidden city falls into two parts the outer court and the inner palaces