Rongcheng Jinxianmen Gate Tower

Rongcheng Jinxianmen Gate Tower

The Rongcheng Jinxianmen Gate Tower is a cultural relic protection unit of Guangdong Province.

The Jinxianmen Gate Tower is situated in the eastern part of ancient Rongcheng (now at the intersection of Xinxing Road in the downtown area). Constructed in the first year of the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty (1621), it faces east. As it connects to the Confucian Temple, it was named "Jinxianmen" (Gate of Advancing Virtuous Scholars) to symbolize the cultivation of more learned individuals. The gate tower structure has three tiers: the lower tier is the barbican gate, the middle tier is the gate tower itself, and the upper tier is a glazed pavilion adorned with floral-patterned windows, movable latticed shutters, soaring upturned eaves, crimson railings, and carved beams—an elegant and majestic sight. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, this was the site where night watchmen patrolled and sounded the hourly bells. At the break of dawn, the morning drum signals would drift on the wind, dispersing the morning mist and heralding the arrival of daylight, echoing throughout the city. This created a unique charm, known as one of the ancient Eight Scenic Spots of the region — “Drum Tower Morning Chime.”

Location

Jinxianmen Avenue, Rongcheng District, Jieyang, Guangdong

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units