Nanjing Gulou

Nanjing Gulou

Nanjing Gulou is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Gulou is situated in the center of Nanjing. Built in the 15th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, it features a grand scale and imposing architecture, serving as the site for timekeeping by drumming for the city’s residents day and night. It was also used for ceremonies such as welcoming the emperor or receiving imperial edicts, and thus became a symbol of the Ming capital. By the Qing Dynasty, only the gate structure remained. It wasn’t until Emperor Kangxi’s southern tour that local officials erected a stele and built a pavilion atop the original base, renaming it “Beilou” (Steles Pavilion), hence the name “Ming Drum, Qing Stele.”

Covering an area of 9,100 square meters, Nanjing Gulou stands atop Gulou Hill where five major roads intersect—Beijing East Road, Beijing West Road, Zhongshan Road, Zhongshan North Road, and Central Road. It has long been one of Nanjing’s iconic landmarks. The structure has two levels: the lower level is built in the style of a city gate, reaching a height of 9 meters with towering red walls and upturned eaves. Three arched gateways run through the front and back, crowned with an inscription reading “Changguan Ge” (Pavilion of Broad Views). The upper level consists of a central hall flanked by east and west wings, with eaves extending beyond the terrace edge.

As early as 1923, Gulou was converted into a public park, becoming a popular destination for visitors to climb and enjoy panoramic views of the ancient city. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted with fresh air and the fragrance of plants and flowers. Wandering under the shaded canopy of greenery, one finds flat bluestone platforms and meandering ice-pattern stone paths made of cobblestones. The continuous chirping of birds and the sound of cascading waterfalls, surrounded by azaleas, photinia, red maples, and bamboo, create a year-round spring-like ambiance in the park. At night, colorful lights enhance the historic Ming-era Gulou, making it even more magnificent.

Gulou Park

Geographic Location

Gulou Park is situated on Gulou Hill in the city center, slightly west of the intersection of Beijing East Road, Beijing West Road, Zhongshan Road, Zhongshan North Road, and Central Road. It spans an area of 3.6722 hectares, including 80 square meters of water surface and a green coverage rate of 62.1%. Gulou Hill, standing 40 meters above sea level, is an extension of the Zhongshan Mountain range. The hill hosts the Ming Dynasty Gulou, and the park is named after it. As a cultural relic-type park, it falls under the administration of Gulou District.

Historical Development

Gulou was first built in the 15th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1382). In the 12th year of the Republic of China (1923), Gulou Park was established with the drum tower as its centerpiece. In October of the 17th year of the Republic of China (1928), the Nanjing Park Management Office was founded, and Gulou Park came under its jurisdiction. The Gulou once housed a weather observation station, and later temporarily served as the office of the Central Astronomical Research Institute before the Purple Mountain Observatory was completed and the institute moved out. In the 19th year of the Republic of China (1930), the Gulou Park Office was established, which also oversaw Qingliangshan and Jimingsi parks. In July 1935 (the 24th year of the Republic of China), a children's playground was built within the park. By the end of 1937 (the 26th year of the Republic of China), after the Japanese invasion of Nanjing, the puppet government set up the Gulou Park Office, which also managed Mochou Lake, Wutaishan, Qingliangshan, and street trees. In May 1946 (the 35th year of the Republic of China), the Nationalist Government returned to Nanjing and established the Gulou Park Management Office.

After the liberation of Nanjing, Gulou Park was managed by the landscaping unit of the Work Relief Corps and underwent renovations and afforestation. It also briefly served as a watchtower for the fire department. On August 30, 1957, the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government designated “Gulou” as a provincial-level cultural relics protection unit. In 1958, the park covered 2 hectares, including 0.8 hectares of green space and 0.5 hectares of nursery land. The Gulou Park Management Office was established under the leadership of the landscaping team of the Gulou District Urban Construction Bureau, with a staff of over ten people. Their responsibilities included the maintenance of greenery in Gulou Square and surrounding areas, as well as arranging floral displays and green decorations for major holidays. On October 1, 1959, the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Gulou Park officially opened to the public.

In 1966, with the start of the Cultural Revolution, the park closed to the public, and all staff were reassigned to the Gulou District Landscaping Team. The park was repurposed as a headquarters for the “Cultural Offensive and Martial Defense” campaign, and later as a civil air defense command center. The turmoil of the Cultural Revolution led to the loss of most indoor cultural relics and antiques, while the remaining items were severely damaged.

Approved by the Nanjing Municipal Government, the “Gulou Park Restoration Leadership Group” was established on September 11, 1974, tasked with restoring the park, including the Gulou, the western pavilion (“Lezhi Ting”), Gulou Square, and surrounding greenery. It had a staff of 15. On February 18, 1976, the base of the Gulou suffered severe collapse due to civil air defense construction, with cracks and subsidence appearing from top to bottom on the southwest side. The restoration project was completed on September 30, 1979.

On October 1, 1979, Gulou Park reopened to the public. Administratively, it separated from the Gulou District Landscaping Team and came under direct management of the District Urban Transportation Section. The park had 19 official staff members, 1.8 hectares of green space, and facilities such as a teahouse, a food concession, a foreign guest service desk, and a photography studio. The park began generating its own revenue for maintenance and development. By 1993, it had 105 official employees.

On October 7, 2019, Nanjing Gulou was included in the eighth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· First and Second Batches of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Eighth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units