The Forbidden City

Gate of Godly Prowess

Shen Wu Men (Gate of Godly Prowess), the north gate of the Palace Museum was built in 1420 (18th year of Ming Emperor Yung Lo's reign) and rebuilt in Ching Emperor Kang Hsi's reign. There was a bell and a drum in the gate tower. Dawn and dusk were marked by 108 tolls of the bell, while in between there was a beating of the drum every two hours.