The East Glorious Gate is located on the east city wall of the Forbidden City. Construction of the gate began on Yongle Year Eighteen (1420). Facing east, the East Glorious Gate stands opposite to the West Glorious Gate at a distance. Dismounting steles are placed in front of the gate. The Golden Water River runs from north to south, and a stone bridge strides over the river. Roofed by yellow glazed tiles, East Glorious Gate and West Glorious Gate are the same in architectural design, both of which are in red with a white-marble pedestal and 3 arched small gates.

All gates in the Forbidden City are decorated with a nine-by-nine array of golden door nails, except for the East Glorious Gate. Unlike the other three gates, the East Glorious Gate is close to the prince palace and serves as the gate way him to enter and exit the Forbidden City. This is why the doors only have eight rows of door nails. It's said that the coffins of emperors were carried out of Forbidden City from the East Glorious Gate, hence its nickname of “Ghost Gate”.