Duanmen is located between Tiananmen and Wumen Gate of the Forbidden City. Between Tiananmen and Duanmen, the court rooms are arranged symmetrically on the east and west sides, with a street gate in the middle, leading to the southern part of the Ancestral Temple and the Altar of Sheji. Duanmen and Wumen also have symmetrical duty rooms on the east and west sides. The right door of the temple and the left door of the community are on the south side, leading to the middle of the Ancestral Temple and the Altar of Sheji; the left door of the que and the right door of the que are on the north side. Duanmen, Wumen, Tiananmen and the inner Thousand-Step Corridors on both sides together form two courtyards with a strong sense of depth, which become the leading ceremonial sequence for entering the palace city. The oppressive and contracted spatial atmosphere formed by the heavy doors and high walls is in sharp contrast to the Taihemen Square that suddenly opens up behind the Wumen Gate, highlighting the majesty of the emperor. Duanmen consists of a city platform and a tower, and its architectural form and volume are basically the same as those of the Tiananmen Tower. The tower is nine bays wide and five bays deep, with a double-eaved hip roof style on the roof, covered with yellow glazed tiles. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the functions of Duanmen Gate were basically the same. It was a place to store the emperor's ceremonial supplies and also a place to organize the ceremonial guards. When the emperor went on tour, he boarded the imperial carriage from Duanmen Gate, which was the beginning of etiquette. When going on tour or returning from activities such as morning court, festivals, and sacrifices, the ceremonial guards lined up neatly on both sides of the corridor, and the bells were struck at Duanmen Gate and the drums were beaten at Wumen Gate. The court rooms on both sides of Duanmen Gate were places for officials to rest and wait before going to court. Today, Duanmen Gate is officially open to the public after renovation. Duanmen Gate was first built in the 18th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (1420) and rebuilt in the 6th year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1667). In 1999, Duanmen Gate was officially opened to the public after renovation.
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Interpretation of Duanmen from the perspective of Eastern philosophy: In Eastern philosophy, especially in traditional Chinese Confucian philosophy, Duanmen, as the south gate of the Forbidden City, symbolizes "dignity" and "integrity". It is not only a physical entrance, but also a spiritual gateway, representing the entry into a solemn, solemn, orderly and ceremonial world. Confucianism emphasizes the "doctrine of the mean", and the symmetry and solemnity of Duanmen embody the balance and harmony in this philosophical thought. At the same time, the "Duan" in Duanmen also echoes the "gentleman's way" advocated by Confucianism, reminding people to maintain inner integrity and dignity, follow the etiquette, and show the gentleman's style when entering this space. Interpretation of Duanmen from the perspective of Western philosophy: From the perspective of Western philosophy, Duanmen can be interpreted as a symbol of "boundary" and "transition". In Western philosophy, especially existentialism and phenomenology, doors are often seen as a symbol of transition from one state of existence to another. As the entrance to the Forbidden City, Duanmen is not only a physical boundary from the outside world to the inner court, but also a symbol of transition from the secular world to a space full of historical and cultural spirit. This transition is not only spatial, but also spiritual. It prompts people to withdraw from the daily trivialities and enter a deeper realm of thinking and experience at the moment of crossing the threshold. At the same time, the majesty and solemnity of Duanmen also reflect the pursuit of "sublimity" and "order" in Western classical aesthetics. It is not only a display of power, but also a manifestation of aesthetic principles. In summary, whether from the perspective of Eastern philosophy or Western philosophy, Duanmen carries rich philosophical implications. It is not only a witness to history and culture, but also a carrier of human spiritual pursuit and philosophical thinking.