Nanjing City Wall
Jiangsu Sheng
The Nanjing City Wall, constructed under the direction of the Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming Dynasty, is one of China's largest ancient city walls. Built over 21 years by 200,000 workers, it encloses about 55 square kilometers of Nanjing, originally the imperial capital. Unlike the square or rectangular walls of Beijing and Xi'an, Nanjing's wall follows a winding design adapting to the city's mountainous terrain, enhancing its military defenses. The wall incorporates granite, limestone, and bricks bonded with a unique mixture of lime, glutinous rice water, and tung oil, contributing to its remarkable durability. Originally featuring thirteen gates, now eighteen by the Qing dynasty, only Zhonghua Gate and Heping Gate remain intact, with Heping Gate still in military use. The wall also included an outwall along the river for additional defense, mostly lost today. Its battlements and parapets allowed defenders to observe and repel invaders effectively. Listed as a key cultural relic since 1988, the wall remains a testament to Ming Dynasty engineering and strategic city planning, offering visitors a glimpse into China's imperial past and military architecture.
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Tip: The best time to visit the Nanjing City Wall is during spring and autumn when the weather is mild and pleasant. Visitors should consider purchasing tickets in advance, especially for the popular Zhonghua Gate area, to avoid long queues. While Heping Gate is closed to the public due to military use, other sections of the wall are accessible and offer scenic walking routes. Discounts may be available for students and seniors. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as exploring the wall involves considerable walking and climbing. Guided tours can enrich the experience by providing historical context and architectural insights.
Interesting facts
- •The wall was built using a unique mixture including glutinous rice water and tung oil in the mortar, enhancing its strength and longevity.
- •It required the labor of 200,000 workers and the movement of around 7 million cubic meters of earth during construction.
- •The wall originally had thirteen gates, which expanded to eighteen by the Qing dynasty.
- •The wall's design is uniquely adapted to the mountainous terrain, unlike the square layouts of other major Chinese city walls.
- •The battlements number 13,616, providing extensive defensive coverage.
- •Part of the wall near Xuanwu Lake was built on foundations from the Six Dynasties period, reusing ancient bricks.
History
The Nanjing City Wall was commissioned by the Hongwu Emperor after founding the Ming Dynasty in 1368 and selecting Nanjing as the capital.
Construction began shortly thereafter, lasting 21 years and involving massive labor and material resources.
Initially intended to expand the old city walls eastward to enclose the New City, strategic decisions led to including Lion Hill to the northwest, nearly doubling the enclosed area.
The wall incorporated foundations from earlier Six Dynasties fortifications, reusing bricks and stone.
Over time, the number of gates increased from thirteen to eighteen by the Qing dynasty.
In 1988, the wall was designated a key cultural relic under state protection, recognizing its historical and architectural value.
Place Guide
Zhonghua Gate (Jubao Gate)14th century
The only original southern gate still standing, Zhonghua Gate is a massive fortified structure known for its complex gatehouse system with multiple courtyards and defensive features, exemplifying Ming Dynasty military architecture.
Heping Gate (Shenci Gate)14th century
Located in the north, Heping Gate remains standing but is closed to the public as it functions as an active army barracks. It was originally called Shenci Gate and was one of the thirteen original gates.
Wall Sections and Battlements14th century
The wall is built from granite, limestone, and bricks bonded with a special mortar including glutinous rice water and tung oil. The battlements, totaling 13,616, allowed defenders to observe and repel enemies effectively.