Nanjing City Wall

Nanjing City Wall, also known as Ming City Wall, is built in Ming dynasty. It is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient city walls in China, with a total length of about 25 kilometers. It connects many historical attractions and natural scenery in series and bears witness to Nanjing's long history and rich culture. Standing on the Nanjing City Wall, you can have a panoramic view of the Qinhuai River, the white walls and black tiles of Laomendong Historical and Cultural Block, and the modern city skyline of Nanjing in the distance. It is very shocking to experience the blending of traditional and modernity.
 

Facts of Nanjing City Wall

Location: Nanjing

Total Length: About 25 kilometers

Main Gates: 13

Function: Military defense

Highlights: The longest, largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in the world

Construction: 1366-1393

Dynasty: Ming dynasty

Bricks: About 0.35 billion bricks in total

Nanjing City Wall was built in 1366, and it took 28 years to complete. It consists of four walls from inside. The overall shape of the Nanjing City Wall is no square or rectangle, which is different to the layout of that of other ancient capitals. The layout of the Nanjing City Wall’s construction follows the trend of the mountains and rivers. With unique design ideas, exquisite construction technology and magnificent scale, Nanjing City Wall is located between the beautiful mountains, lakes and rivers in Nanjing. It is a masterpiece of ancient military defense facilities and wall construction technology in China. It is another historical wonder after Qin City Wall in China.
 

Famous Gates of Nanjing City Wall

Zhonghua Gate

Zhonghua Gate is the largest existing city gate in China, which occupies an important position in the history of city wall architecture in the world. It is also the largest, best-preserved fortress barbican with the most complex structure in the world, and is known as "the first barbican in the world". Climbing the city wall from Zhonghua Gate, you can overlook the Qinhuai River, the Dabaoen Tower and the bright lights of Laomendong. At day, you can enjoy the picturesque Nanjing. At night, you will feel like that you get back to the ancient capital of China with the gorgeous lights.

Climbing the Liberation Gate, you will arrive at Taicheng, which is the best-preserved section of the Ming City Wall. Taicheng is located near the Xuanwu Lake, Purple Mountain and Jiming Temple. And you can fully experience the landscapes of the mountains, rivers, lakes and architectures of Nanjing.
 

Jiefang Gate(Liberation Gate)

Jiefang Gate was opened in 1954. The section of Nanjing City Wall from Xuanwu Gate to Taiping Gate is the longest, best-preserved and highest existing city wall section in Nanjing, which is located by the Xuanwu Lake. If you want to choose a section of the Nanjing City Wall to visit, the Jiefang Gate section is highly recommended with most Nanjing characteristics. 

Taicheng in the Six Dynasties was famous all over the world, but there was no trace to be found. The ruins of the city walls and roads in the Six Dynasties were discovered in the Daxing Palace area, which scientifically proved the true location of the core "Taicheng" of the Six Dynasties Jiankang City. The site of Taicheng is located in a section of Ming City Wall extending westward from Jiefang Gate today, and a section of city wall site in the northeast corner of Taicheng in the Six Dynasties is located in the Six Dynasties Museum.

Jiefang Gate is one of the most famous and popular gates of Nanjing City Wall. Standing on the Jiefang Gate of Nanjing City Wall, you can see the Jiming Temple on your side, and the other side is the Xuanwu Lake. And finding a nice location, you can see the Nanjing Zifeng Tower in the distance, which is one of the landmarks of Nanjing. At the Jiefang Gate of Nanjing City Wall, you can get the picture of the Jiming Temple, Xuanwu Lake and the Nanjing Zifeng Tower at the same time, which is the blending of traditional and modernity.
 

Shence Gate(Heping Gate)

Shence Gate is named after the army stationed there, which is called Shence Guard. It is located in the east of Nanjing Central Gate, west of Nanjing Railway Station, north of Xuanwu Lake, and next to Nanjing moat in the north. It is a relatively well-preserved Nanjing Ming City Wall, and it is also the only gate among all the gates that retains the watchtower of Qing Dynasty(high platform and towers located at the upper end of ancient city walls to strengthen defense capabilities). In 1928, Shencemen was renamed Peace Gate(Heping Gate), and the Shence Gate Park is located near the Shence Gate.
 

Xuanwu Gate

Xuanwu Gate was called Fengrun Gate at the beginning. It was a new gate opened for the earliest Expo in China. In the past, people must enter the Xuanwu Gate from Taiping Gate. Fengrun Gate is located to the west of the Xuanwu Lake. After its construction, people can enter the Xuanwu Lake from the Fengrun Gate. In 1928, Fengrun Gate was renamed Xuanwu Lake. And famous scholar Cai Yuanpei, wrote the plaque of the Xuanwu Gate. Standing on the Xuanwu Gate, you can have a panoramic view of the Xuanwu Lake and see the Purple Mountain in the distance.
 

Best Time to Visit the Nanjing City Wall

The Nanjing City Wall almost connects most of the attractions in Nanjing. And the scenery around the Nanjing City Wall is always beautiful. The best time to visit the Nanjing City Wall depends on the scenery you prefer.

If you prefer the cheery blossoms, you can visit the Nanjing City Wall in spring(late March to April). And Jiefang Gate(Liberation Gate) of the Nanjing City Wall is recommended for you to visit in spring. The Jiefang Gate is located near the Jiming Temple, and you can visit the Nanjing City Wall from the Jiefang Gate after visiting the Jiming Temple. The cherry are blooming in spring near the Jiming Temple and the Jiefang Gate. Standing on the Jiefang Gate, you can have a panoramic view of the cherry blossoms of the Jiming Temple.

In summer, the sky is always blue, and you can get wonderful photos with the blue sky and wide vision on the Nanjing City Wall. Please note that July and August is the peak season of domestic tourists.

In autumn, the weather is comfortable in Nanjing. You can see the autumn foliage around the Nanjing City Wall.

In winter, the Nanjing City Wall is silent with peaceful atmosphere. If it snows, you can have a panoramic view of the snow scenery of Nanjing, which is pure and beautiful.