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Nanjing City Wall
Introducing Nanjing City Wall
The Nanjing City Wall was founded by the Ming Dynasty’s Hongwu Emperor in 1366 when Nanjing served as the capital of Ming Dynasty. The Nanjing City Wall was built alongside Nanjing’s existing fortifications, adapting its path to the city’s unique geography nestled between mountains and rivers. This mighty wall wasn’t built overnight. Construction spanned two phases: initial building and a later reinforcement and expansion. Finally completed in 1393 after 28 years of labor by a staggering 200,000 workers, it became the largest city wall of the Ming Dynasty, enclosing a vast 55 square kilometers. While most original gates are lost to time, Zhonghua Gate in the south and Heping Gate in the north remain as historical landmarks.
The Nanjing City Wall, along with other Ming Dynasty walls in China, sought UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008, but currently remains on the tentative list.
Nanjing City Wall Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Nan Jing Ming Cheng Qiang 南京明城墙
• Perimeter: Originally 35.267 kilometers (21.91 miles), with a surviving section of 25 kilometers (15.53 miles)
• Best Time to Visit: March to May; September to October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 2 to 3 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, History and Culture, Architecture
• Opening Hours: 8:30 – 17:30, 17:00 – 21:00 (Zhonghua Gate)
• Entrance Fee: CNY50 (Dongshuiguan to Jiqing Gate), CNY30 (Shence Gate to Taiping Gate), CNY5 (Fugui Mountain to Lanqi Street), Free (Qingliang Gate to Central Gate).
• Address: Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province
What UNESCO Says on the Nanjing City Wall
The City Wall of Nanjing refers to the wall of the ancient capital city of Nanjing built in the early Ming Dynasty. Located by the southern bank of the lower Yangtze River, it is built to protect the only capital of ancient China that had ever been built to the south of the Yangtze River. As a piece of representative work created in the heyday of capital development in ancient China, it represents an important period of urban construction and development in human history. While carrying forward the traditional Chinese thinking about city development, the planners of the City Wall of Nanjing originally integrated the human creation with natural mountains and rivers, thus giving it an important position in China’s long history of city planning and city wall construction. All the bricks, totaling nearly 350 million in number, are marked with Chinese characters recording their origin, the official in charge of their making, and the individual maker. They constitute the biggest group of brick records ever found in China. The extensive use of brick and stone structures in urban construction during the Ming and the Qing dynasties, including the use of bricks for the building of parts of the Great Wall, can be traced to the construction of the City Wall of Nanjing. Its total length is 35.267 kilometers. Only 25.09 kilometres of the wall still remains today. Still, it is the most ancient city wall still standing in China and in the world as a whole today. It is witness to the brilliant achievements of ancient China in the planning of urban defense facilities, craftsmanship of city wall construction, and overall development of feudal capitals.
History of the Nanjing City Wall
When Emperor Hongwu (Zhu Yuanzhang), founder of the mighty Ming Dynasty, ascended to the throne in 1368, he set his sights on Nanjing. Renamed Yingtianfu, meaning “Place Responding to Heaven,” the city was to be transformed into a magnificent imperial capital. A grand new “Forbidden City,” echoing the layout later adopted by Beijing, arose east of the old city. While the emperor initially planned a simple extension of the existing walls, a bold decision changed everything: Lion Hill, a strategic height, would be incorporated into the city’s defenses.
This ambitious undertaking birthed the awe-inspiring Nanjing City Wall. Crafted primarily from stone and brick, this colossal barrier originally boasted thirteen gates, a number later increased to eighteen during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). Today, only two of those original thirteen remain: the majestic Zhonghua Gate (once known as Jubao Gate) and the intriguing, though currently inaccessible, Heping Gate (formerly Shenci Gate). Whispers of the past linger in the remnants and partial reconstructions of other gates, such as the evocative Hanzhong Gate, originally called Shicheng Gate. Even the vanished outer wall, built to further bolster the city’s defenses along the river and southern borders, lives on in the local place names that once marked its gates.
What to expect at Nanjing City Wall
Step back in time as you wander along the Nanjing City Wall, its immense scale and intricate brickwork, a physical manifestation of the Ming Dynasty’s bold aspirations. Explore the grandeur of Zhonghua Gate, its maze-like passages and fascinating museum whispering tales of emperors and ancient armies. Imagine the bustle of bygone eras at the weathered remnants of gates like Hanzhong Gate, where echoes of the past still linger. Photography enthusiasts will find endless inspiration here, capturing the wall’s timeless beauty, the surrounding scenery, and the unique perspectives only this vantage point provides.
Nanjing City Wall Museum
The Nanjing City Wall Museum, a striking semi-transparent glass structure, stands gracefully beside the Zhonghua Gate Barbican, just east of the bustling Laomendong Pedestrian Street. Its sleek, L-shaped design cleverly integrates elements of the ancient wall, such as horse paths and platforms, with the modern aesthetic of the exhibition halls.
The museum, spanning 12,000 square meters, houses a fascinating collection of over 2,000 artifacts that bring the history and significance of the Nanjing City Wall to life. True to its core concept of “exhibiting walls,” the museum features a dedicated area where nearly 700 wall bricks are meticulously arranged, each one a testament to the city’s past. This unique display allows visitors to appreciate the craftsmanship and history embedded within these humble building blocks.
Venturing further, visitors encounter an exhibition of iconic walls from around the globe, showcasing the diversity of human ingenuity and cultural expression. From the practical harmony of South Korea’s Hwaseong Fortress to the ethereal beauty of Japan’s Himeji-jo, each wall tells a story of defense, artistry, and cultural identity.
Ruins of the Stone City
Known colloquially as “Ghost Face City,” the Stone City Ruins lie west of Qingliang Gate in the Nanjing City Wall. Originally constructed in 333 BC, the fortress gained prominence when Sun Quan (182-252), founder of the Wu kingdom (222-280), established his capital at Moling, now present-day Nanjing. Sun Quan fortified the settlement on Stone Mountain, naming it “Stone City.” Due to its strategic command of the Yangtze River, Stone City became a coveted prize during times of war. When the Ming Emperor Hongwu erected Nanjing’s city wall, Stone City was ingeniously incorporated into the defenses, becoming a formidable bastion within a larger system of fortifications.
At the Stone City Ruins, ancient fortifications seem to melt into the surrounding natural beauty. Imagine gazing out at illuminated cliff faces reflected in the tranquil waters below at night – a picture-perfect scene that hints at the site’s importance as a stronghold of the Wu kingdom.
The City Moat
The Moat of Nanjing City Wall, an essential defensive feature, encircles the city and protects the Imperial City, Palace City, and outer areas. Created by diverting rivers such as the Qinhuai, Qingxi, and Jinchuan, and water from Xuanwu, Yanque, and Pipa Lakes, the moat formed a formidable barrier against invaders.
Interestingly, the “Dragon’s Neck” section, east of Taiping Gate, remains moat-free due to its sacred status in the Ming Dynasty, prohibiting excavation. Today, the Palace City moat spans approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 miles), the Imperial City moat about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles), and the outer city moat an impressive 31.159 kilometers (19.4 miles). Altogether, these moats served as both a practical defense and a symbolic boundary, highlighting the grandeur and importance of the city within.
How to get to Nanjing City Wall
• Take Metro line 1 to Zhonghua Gate or Xuanwu Gate.
• Take bus 2, 16, 49, 63, 202, 302, 701, 706, D18 or G5 to Zhonghua Gate.
• Take bus 1, 8, 22, 25, 28, 30, 33, 35 or 56 to Xuanwu Gate.
• Take bus 10, 13, 30, 32, 33, 35. 42, 45, 54, 66, 69, 72, 73, 76, 315, 318, 501, 510, 555, or 558 to Central Gate.
• Charter a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Nanjing to Nanjing City Wall.
Additional travel advice on Nanjing City Wall
• Please wear comfortable hiking shoes.
• It’s suggested to visit the wall in the morning or during the sunset. Please wear sunscreen, hat and sunglasses to prevent sunburns in the daytime.
• To enjoy the night view of the city wall, visitors should buy the night tickets for the south section (East Water Pass to Jiqing Gate), and ascend the wall from the north gate of Zhonghua Gate.
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Tour Highlights
• Admire Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the final resting place of the founder of the Republic of China
• Explore Xiaoling Tomb of Ming Dynasty, the mausoleum of the Hongwu Emperor, the founder of the Ming dynasty
• Visit Chaotian Gong, once an imperial palace in the Ming dynasty, today the Nanjing Municipal Museum
• Visit Zhonghua Gate, China’s biggest castle-style city gate and part of Nanjing's original 35km long Ming City Wall
• Wander through the bustling streets around Confucian Temple Area, enjoy an impressive view over Qinhuai River
• Experienced English speaking tour guide
• Overland round-trip transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshmentsAbout This Tour
• Departure: Daily departing from Nanjing
• Tour Duration: Approximately 8 hours.
• Guide Languages: Chinese & English.
• Pick-up Time: Between 07:00 and 10:00, choose a departure time most suitable for you.
• Pick-up & Drop-off Place: Your accommodation in Nanjing
• Advice on Meals: Lunch is not included in this tour, please have a big breakfast and pack snacks just in case you get a bit peckish during sightseeing. If you want to try authentic local food for lunch, please feel free to inform your guide who is always ready to help.Tour Itinerary at a Glance
• Pick up from your accommodation in Nanjing
• Visit Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
• Visit Xiaoling Tomb of Ming Dynasty
• Lunch on your own
• Visit Chaotian Gong of Nanjing & Nanjing Municipal Museum
• Visit Zhonghua Gate (Ming Dynasty City Wall)
• Stroll along Confucian Temple Area
• Transfer back to your accommodation in Nanjing
Tailor This Tour to Meet Your Needs and Requirements
• If you want to modify this itinerary, please feel free to contact GoGrandChina by WhatsApp (+86-18309280878), Wechat (+86-18309280878) or email (info@GrandChinaTravel.com), we will create a tailor-made tour package for you.Tour Prices (US$ Per Person)
1 person 2 people 3 people 4 people 5 people 6 people 7 people 8 people 9 people 10 + $438 $248 $188 $148 $138 $128 $118 $108 $98 $88
Price Remark
• Prices are not valid during China's Official Holidays (such as National Day & Chinese New Year Festival etc.).
Price Inclusions
• Professional English language speaking private tour guide
• Air-conditioned vehicle with private experienced driver
• All admission tickets to sightseeing places
• All government taxesPrice Exclusions
• Hotel accommodation.
• Your personal expenses.
• Meals are excluded allowing you flexibility on menu.
• Travel insurance is not included. Please purchase before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
• Gratuities to guide & driver. They are customary and would be of great encouragement and reward for quality service.Additional Info
• Nanjing Municipal Museum is closed on Monday tours.
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking.
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
• The itinerary is subject to change due to traffic conditions or bad weather.
• The itinerary is flexible; changes can be made upon written request from travelers.
• IMPORTANT: It is required by the government regulations that travelers must provide their name, gender, nationality, passport number and date of birth to their tour operator upon booking a tour. Failure to do so could result in being denied access or admittance to sites and attractions during sightseeing. When you book this tour, please complete all required fields at checkout. Please bring your passport with you on the tour.Cancellation Policy
• You may cancel the booking and receive a full refund up to 24 hours prior to the date of your tour.
• Cancellation within 24 hours or after the tour begins is non-refundable.
• Cancellation request will be confirmed in 2-5 business days, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.Why Travelers Have to Choose GoGrandChina Private Tours?
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• Choose your most suitable departure time, whether you are an early bird or you prefer sleeping in.
• GoGrandChina private tours are more flexible, allowing you to adjust everything on your trip to your wishes.
• GoGrandChina tour guides will be at your service to make sure you get the most from each destination. They are there for you and are responsible for making your journey special – and your needs always come first.
• GoGrandChina offers comfortable and luxury vehicles with a private & experienced driver who’s always by your side and ready to take you to your next destination.
• No shopping stops & factory visits, no chance of getting ripped off.
• No hidden costs, rest assured that there are no nasty surprises.
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