Zhonghua Gate
中华门
The largest surviving fortified barbican gate in the world, with three barbicans and 27 soldier-hiding caves. From the wall you can overlook Laomendong and the Qinhuai River.
Zhonghua Gate, originally called Jubao Gate, was the main south gate of the Ming-dynasty Nanjing city wall. Built between 1366 and 1386, it consists of three barbicans and four arched gateways. It measures 118 metres east to west and 128 metres north to south, and has 27 caves in which soldiers could hide, sheltering up to 3,000 troops. It is the largest and most structurally complex surviving ancient barbican fortress in China and the world.
Highlights: passing through the four gateways and three barbicans, you can see the groove of the 'thousand-jin' portcullis. Ramps on either side let horsemen ride straight up to the top of the wall. The wall top is broad, and you can walk east along it to the East Water Gate and Wuding Gate (about 2 km). From there you can look out over the grey tiled roofs of Laomendong, the Outer Qinhuai River and the direction of Yuhuatai. The soldier-hiding caves house exhibitions on the wall bricks and the history of the Ming City Wall. The inscriptions on the bricks record the kilns, counties and names of craftsmen, testifying to the Ming system of marking each brick with its maker. Outside the south side of the gate is the Great Bao'en Temple Ruins Park and its pagoda (separate admission).
Admission to the Zhonghua Gate section of the wall is 50 yuan. A combined city wall ticket is also available. Buy through the official WeChat account, and book in advance on holidays.
Getting there: a 8-minute walk from Zhonghua Gate station on Metro Line 1, or from Wuding Gate station on Line 3. It connects on foot with Laomendong and Confucius Temple.
Recommended: climb the wall at sunset, then come down to Laomendong for dinner. Allow 1–1.5 hours.
Note: there is no shade on the wall, so bring an umbrella in summer. The steps and ramps are steep.
Opening hours
8:30 AM–9:00 PM (night hours subject to posted notices)
Nearby sights
- Porcelain Tower & Da Bao'en Temple Heritage Park
- Laomendong Historic District
- Xiaoxihu Historic Block
- Zhan Garden
- Chenguang 1865 Creative Park (Jinling Arsenal)
- Yu Garden (Hu Family Garden)
- Confucius Temple & Qinhuai River
- Jiangnan Examination Hall (China Imperial Examination Museum)