The Gate of China, Zhong Hua Gate is the southern gate of Nanjing city. It is the greatest ancient city gate in China and the city gate with the most complex structure in the world.

Welcome to Nanjing

The city wall of Nanjing was built from 1360 to 1386 under the founder of the Ming dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang. In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang was crowned Emperor, and made Nanjing his capital. The southern and eastern sections of the old city wall from the Tang dynasty were incorporated into the new wall. The northern and eastern sections were built afresh. The city wall was 33.676 kilometres long. It was 14-21 m high; 14.5m thick at its base, and 4.9m thick at the top. Thirteen gates were built into the wall, and the enclosed area was the largest of any walled city in China.

Sign fixed on the wall next to Zhong Hua gate entrance

Zhu Yuanzhang devised an ingenious way of making the artisans and builders put in their best effort in constructing the gate. He made them inscribe their names and other details on the stone slab. If there was any stone slab that did not make the grade, the artisan and his family would be executed. Needless to say, the gate’s quality is unsurpassed.

See the inscription on the stone slab?

Zhong Hua gate has weathered wind and rain for 600 years. It still holds its original state except for the wooden structure had been destroyed and some features on the wall constructed of sticks and stones. It is rare in the world for its vast scale and unsophisticated style.

And Zhong Hua gate when lighted up at night is really beautiful

Comments(0)