<P> The wall is pierced by a gate on each side . At the southern end is the main Meridian Gate (A). To the north is the Gate of Divine Might (B), which faces Jingshan Park . The east and west gates are called the "East Glorious Gate" (D) and "West Glorious Gate" (C). All gates in the Forbidden City are decorated with a nine - by - nine array of golden door nails, except for the East Glorious Gate, which has only eight rows . </P> <P> The Meridian Gate has two protruding wings forming three sides of a square (Wumen, or Meridian Gate, Square) before it . The gate has five gateways . The central gateway is part of the Imperial Way, a stone flagged path that forms the central axis of the Forbidden City and the ancient city of Beijing itself, and leads all the way from the Gate of China in the south to Jingshan in the north . Only the Emperor may walk or ride on the Imperial Way, except for the Empress on the occasion of her wedding, and successful students after the Imperial Examination . </P> <P> Traditionally, the Forbidden City is divided into two parts . The Outer Court (外 朝) or Front Court (前 朝) includes the southern sections, and was used for ceremonial purposes . The Inner Court (内 廷) or Back Palace (后 宫) includes the northern sections, and was the residence of the Emperor and his family, and was used for day - to - day affairs of state . (The approximate dividing line shown as red dash in the plan above .) Generally, the Forbidden City has three vertical axes . The most important buildings are situated on the central north--south axis . </P> <P> Entering from the Meridian Gate, one encounters a large square, pierced by the meandering Inner Golden Water River, which is crossed by five bridges . Beyond the square stands the Gate of Supreme Harmony (F). Behind that is the Hall of Supreme Harmony Square . A three - tiered white marble terrace rises from this square . Three halls stand on top of this terrace, the focus of the palace complex . From the south, these are the Hall of Supreme Harmony (太 和 殿), the Hall of Central Harmony (中 和 殿), and the Hall of Preserving Harmony (保 和 殿). </P>

Where did the emperor live in the forbidden city