The
East Palace Gate is the major entrance to the Summer Palace with
two side doors for royal family members and court officials, and
three grand doors in the middle exclusively for the Emperor, Empress
and queen mothers. On the gate hangs a plaque where Emperor
Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) calligraphed "Yiheyuan"
(Summer Palace) meaning "to maintain energy and mellow the
soul." The road for the emperors leading to the entrance is
chiseled with two relief dragons playing with a ball, symbolizing
royal dignity.
About 200 meters (218.7 yards) from the superb
East Palace Gate is a lion-guarded inscribed archway. One inscription,
"Hanxu," indicates "picturesque scenery," the
other "Yanxiu," means "capturing beauty." This
tells visitors about the enchanting scenery inside the garden.
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The
East Palace Gate is the major entrance to the Summer Palace with
two side doors for royal family members and court officials, and
three grand doors in the middle exclusively for the Emperor, Empress
and queen mothers. On the gate hangs a plaque where 
Court Area