Wuchao Gate Park

Wuchao Gate Park

Wuchao Gate Park is located at the northern end of Yudao Street inside Zhongshan Gate, and gets its name from the nearby Wumen (commonly referred to as Wuchao Gate) of the Ming Imperial Palace to the south of the park. In 1958, the area where Wumen and the Hall of Supreme Harmony were situated was turned into a park.

The Ming Imperial Palace in Nanjing served as the blueprint for Beijing’s Forbidden City. It was the imperial palace of the first unified dynasty in Nanjing's history, situated on both sides of today’s Zhongshan East Road. After Zhu Yuanzhang, the Hongwu Emperor, captured Jiqing (Nanjing), he renamed it Yingtianfu. To establish his imperial rule, “Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Liu Ji and others to select an auspicious site for the new palace,” eventually choosing this land as the geomantically blessed “Dragon-Coiled Zhong Hill” — the “dwelling place of emperors.” Legend has it that Zhu Yuanzhang mobilized 200,000 soldiers, civilians, and craftsmen to fill in Yanque Lake and “rebuild the new capital city.” Construction began in 1366 AD and was completed in just one year. The resulting complex was magnificent and imposing, reaching the pinnacle of its splendor at the time.

Entering through Wumen, there are five stone bridges known as the “Inner Five Dragon Bridges,” with an inner imperial river flowing beneath them. Beyond the bridges lies Fengtian Gate, and proceeding from south to north are the three grand halls: the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Fengtian), the Hall of Central Harmony (Huagai), and the Hall of Preserving Harmony (Jinshen). To the east of these three halls are the Hall of Literary Glory (Wenhua) and the Wenyuan Tower, while to the west are the Hall of Martial Valor (Wuying) and the Wuying Tower, collectively referred to as the “Front Court” of five halls. The Hall of Supreme Harmony, commonly known as the Golden Chrysanthemum Hall or Golden Throne Hall, was where Zhu Yuanzhang held major ceremonies and received homage from civil and military officials. Later, the three great halls of Beijing’s Forbidden City — the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony — were modeled after the three halls of Fengtian, Huagai, and Jinshen.

Behind the three main halls lies the living quarters for the emperor and his consorts, known as the “Rear Court.” Along the central axis are the three palaces: the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing), the Palace of Union (Jiaotai), and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunning). To the left is the Hall of Gentle Ceremony (Rouyi; Eastern Palace), and to the right is the Hall of Spring Harmony (Chunhe; Western Palace), with the two facing each other. The northeast corner houses the Six Eastern Palaces, and the northwest corner contains the Six Western Palaces. To the west of the Hall of Spring Harmony lies the Imperial Garden. Together, the “Front Court” and the “Rear Court” make up the “Imperial Court.”

The entire Ming Imperial Palace complex featured layers of halls and pavilions, carved beams and painted rafters, countless gates and rooms, all resplendent in gold and grandeur, with an awe-inspiring atmosphere. It served as the imperial palace for three reigns of the early Ming Dynasty — Hongwu, Jianwen, and Yongle — for a total of 54 years.

Address: No. 27, Yudao Street, Qinhuai District, Nanjing

Type: Urban Park

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–1.5 hours

Official Contact: 025-84611262

Ticket Information:

Free admission.