The architectural idea was to present the imperial code of ethics through a physical installation. Its courtyard, although built on a luxurious scale, has the appearance of an ordinary quadrangle.
The city is surrounded by a 10-meter high defensive wall and a water-filled moat 52 meters wide and 6 meters deep. There is a gate with a tower in each direction and a corner tower at each of the four corners of the wall.
The main entrance to the Forbidden City is the South Gate, also known as the Meridian Gate. The other gates are: Gate of Divine Might, East Glorious Gate and West Glorious Gate.
