Nanxun Gate

Nanxun Gate

Located at the southern end of Zhongshan South Street in Xingqing District, also known as “Nanxun Gate,” it is the gate tower of the southern city gate of old Yinchuan. The structure stands 27.5 meters tall in total. The brick-faced platform is 7 meters high, 33 meters long, and 24.5 meters wide. A north-south arched gateway is located in the center. Stone stairways on the east and west sides to the north provide access to the platform. At the center of the platform is a two-story building with a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, towering 20.5 meters high; inside the building, a wooden staircase leads to the second floor, which is surrounded by wooden corridors where visitors can enjoy the view from the railings.

The construction date of the South Gate Tower is unknown. In 1038, the Tangut people established the Great Xia Kingdom and designated Xingqing Prefecture (present-day Yinchuan) as its capital, launching large-scale construction of palaces and city walls. Based on this, it is highly likely that the South Gate Tower was first built around the time the Xia Kingdom constructed Xingqing Prefecture. It collapsed during an earthquake in the third year of the Qianlong reign (1739) and was rebuilt in the fifth year. It was destroyed in warfare in 1911 and reconstructed in 1917 by the Ningxia local government.

After the liberation, the South Gate Tower underwent several renovations. In 1953, the side walls were demolished to create South Gate Square. On December 16, 1985, it was listed as one of the first batch of cultural heritage protection units by the Yinchuan Municipal People's Government.

Admission

Free

Opening Hours

All day

Location

Nanmen Square, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia

Source: Yinchuan Municipal Government Portal Website