Great North Gate (Gongji Gate)
大北门（拱极门）
The north gate of ancient Jingzhou, whose gate tower, Chaozong Tower, is well preserved. The old farewell site known as Willow Gate is here, and inside the gate lies the Chaozong Street historic district.
Gongji Gate, commonly known as the Great North Gate, is the only one of Jingzhou's six ancient city gates that still has an original Ming and Qing gate tower (Chaozong Tower). Its gate passage is deep, and its barbican is intact. In ancient times the north gate was the starting point of the official road to the capital, and friends and relatives often broke willow branches outside the gate to see travellers off, so it was also called the 'Willow Gate'. Inside, the North Gate historic district preserves old lanes and snack shops, where you can try Jingzhou fish cake, guokui flatbread and zaotang noodles. Walking through the gate is free, while climbing the gate tower requires a fee according to scenic area rules. The Great North Gate can serve as the starting or ending point for a city-wall bike ride.
Opening hours
Open all day (city gate tower about 08:00–17:30)
Nearby sights
- Jingzhou Museum
- Kaiyuan Taoist Temple
- Xuanmiao Taoist Temple
- Guandi Temple of Jingzhou
- Taihui Taoist Temple
- Former Residence of Zhang Juzheng
- Jingzhou Ancient City Wall (East Gate & Binyang Tower)
- Fantawild Oriental Legend Jingzhou