Nanjing Dongshuiguan Ruins Park

Nanjing Dongshuiguan Ruins Park

Nanjing Dongshuiguan Ruins Park is a cultural tourism attraction.

Nanjing Dongshuiguan Ruins Park

A theme park characterized by highlighting water culture — "Dongshuiguan Ruins Park" — is situated in the Inner Qinhuai River Scenic Belt. With a history of over 1,000 years, Dongshuiguan was once an important transportation hub of the ancient Qinhuai area, the entry point where the Qinhuai River flows into Nanjing city, and also the only ship lock entrance of the Nanjing ancient city wall. Therefore, Dongshuiguan naturally became the "head" of the Ten-Li Qinhuai.

Dongshuiguan was formerly known as Shangshui Gate. It was first built during the construction of the city by the Yang Wu Kingdom. In the 4th year of the Taihe era (932 AD) of Yang Wu, Xu Zhigao, the Prefect of Jinling, ordered the expansion of the Jinling city, transforming it into a grand fortress described as "the strongest under heaven." Dongshuiguan was constructed during this expansion.

The current Dongshuiguan ruins were mainly expanded during the Ming Dynasty. In the early Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang built Nanjing city. To control the water level of the Qinhuai River, through careful planning, Dongshuiguan was established as the Tongji Water Pass "Yanyue Cave." The water pass has three levels: the lower level has eleven arches that allow water flow, while the middle and upper levels together have twenty-two arches used for hiding troops and storing grain. Today, the middle and lower levels, totaling twenty-two arches, still remain.

During the Six Dynasties period, Dongshuiguan was a transportation hub leading to Zhejiang and Suzhou. Merchants from the south and north gathered here to trade. Although Dongshuiguan no longer boasts the bustling activity and lively crowds of the past, it still stands majestically at the eastern end of the Ten-Li Inner Qinhuai River.

Address: Tongjimenwai, Longpan Middle Road, Nanjing City

Type: Urban Park & Historical Site

Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour

Opening Hours:

Open all day