Plan your Nanjing Tour? Don’t miss Zhonghua Gate （中华门瓮城) , the largest ancient city wall gate complex in China, akin to a huge castle in the west. The massive city wall gate is a historical relic left by Zhu Yuzhuang, the first emperor and founder of Ming Dynasty (1638 -1644) . There used to be 13 gates of this kind along the over-30km ancient city wall of the Ming Dynasty.
The name of Zhonghua Gate was changed for several time. Firs named “south gate” since it was located on the south of the city. It is also known as Jubaomen “Gathering Treasures Gate”. In 1931 when the Republic of China government set Nanjing as its capital, the gate was named Zhonghua Gate ( the Gate of China ).
How get to Gate of China Nanjing (Gate Castle)
” Zhonghua” literally means “China”, so that’s why the Google Map recognizes the Zhonghua Gate as “Gate of China, Nanjing“. It is located at Zhonghua Road, Qinhuai District, Qinhuai District, Nanjing.
Public bus lines:
1) From Nanjing Railway Station, take Bus No. 33 and get off at Zhonghuamen Stop.
2) From Xinjiekou South Station, take bus No. 16 or 33 to Zhonghuamen Station
3) From Lukou Airport, take the airport bus from Nanjing Lukou Airport to Zhonghuamen Long-distance passenger station, then transfer to No.2 bus to Zhonghuamen Station and get off.
Subway
Take Nanjing Metro Line 1 to Zhonghuamen Station and walk there
How to Visit Zhonghua Gate Nanjing
The city gate castle has 3 inner cities connected by four arched gates with its dimensions 118.5 m from east to west, and 128 m from south to north. Each inner city had holes to hide soldiers. Each gate was equipped with a Qianjinzha ( Heavy Gate ) which could be opened up and down.
The Zhonghua Gate has gong through wind and rain for 600 years. It still keeps it original appearance though much of its wooden structures destroyed. Zhonghua Gate is a master piece of China’s ancient engineering project of complex and intricate design, which has a prominent place in the wall construction history in China.
Entrance Fee: 50 yuan per person
Opening Hours: 8: 30 – 20:30
While you are planning your short trip to the Gate of China, you are recommended to go deeper to include Nanjing Confucius Temple-The Qinhuai River Scenic Area after you visit the Zhonghua Gate since the gate is only a 20-minute walk from the prominent scenic area.
Now Nanjing Confucius Temple with its old world charming surrounding area is popularly and officially known as Nanjing Confucius Temple-The Qinhuai River Scenic Area (夫子庙秦淮风光带).
Virtual Tour of Gate of China Nanjing
Follow us to have a virtual tour of Zhonghua Gate Nanjing (Gate Castle).
On each side of the gate castle exterior, there are two large ramps used for running soldiers on horse up to the top of the gate castle.
It is estimated that hundreds of millions of bricks were used to build the Ming City wall in Nanjing. The bricks are generally 40 ~ 45 cm long, 20 cm wide and 10 ~ 12 cm thick.
Tip: Hassle-free Jiangsu Guided Tours
If you don’t want to do a self-guided tour and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for organized tours to Jiangsu Province:
Nanjing Tour
Suzhou Tour
Jiangsu Tour
Further Readings
Top 10 Attractions in Nanjing
How to Visit Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall
How to Visit Nanjing Confucius Temple-The Qinhuai River Scenic Area
How to Visit Zhonghua Gate Nanjing
How to Visit Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge
How to Visit Linggu Temple Scenic Area
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Music Stage
How to Visit Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum
How to Visit Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
How to Visit Nanjing Presidential Palace
Nanjing South Railway Station
Nanjing Taxi: Nanjing Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Suzhou Railway Station
Suzhou Taxi: Suzhou Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Top 10 Attractions in Suzhou
Suzhou Railway Station
How to Visit Tongli Water Town
How to Visit Zhouzhuang Water Town
How to Visit Pingjiang Road in Suzhou
How to Visit The Garden of the Master of the Nets
How to visit Humble Administrator’s Garden
How to Visit Lion Grove Garden
How to Visit Canglang Pavilion
How to Visit Guanqian Street in Suzhou
4 Amazing Short Trip Ideas from Shanghai
Wuzhen Pictures – Wuzhen Photo Gallery
Zhouzhuang Pictures – Zhouzhuang Photo Gallery