Ming City Wall Ruins Park

　　Historically, the Ming City Wall spanned 40 kilometers and was built in the 17th year of the Yongle reign during the Ming Dynasty (1419 AD), making it over 580 years old. The existing section of the wall from Chongwenmen to the southeast corner tower stretches 1.5 kilometers. It is part of the original inner city wall of Beijing, the only remaining segment, and a symbol of the city. The southeast corner tower is the largest surviving city wall corner tower in China. Built in the first year of the Zhengtong reign during the Ming Dynasty (1436 AD), it is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

　　　The Ming City Wall Ruins Park in Beijing is located in the city center. It stretches from the southeast corner tower in the east to Chongwenmen in the west, covering a total area of approximately 15.5 hectares. Of this, the wall ruins and southeast corner tower occupy 3.3 hectares, while the green space spans 12.2 hectares.
　　Due to years of neglect and human damage, the wall was severely damaged. To protect cultural heritage and restore the ancient capital’s appearance, the Beijing Municipal Party Committee and Government, guided by important ideological principles, decided to comprehensively renovate the surrounding environment of the wall ruins, repair the wall, and establish the Ming City Wall Ruins Park.

　　Park Preservation

　　　　The Ming City Wall Ruins Park in Beijing, having suffered from years of disrepair and human damage, saw significant damage to the wall. To preserve cultural heritage and recreate the ancient capital's look, the Beijing Municipal Party Committee and Government, committed to key ideological principles, resolved to thoroughly renovate the surroundings, restore the wall, and build the Ming City Wall Ruins Park.
　　Greening Implementation at the Ming City Wall Ruins Park

　　The plan was designed by the Beijing Institute of Landscape and Ancient Architecture and constructed by the Chongwen District Gardens Bureau. The park construction prioritizes wall protection, using a natural, weathered environment to showcase the cultural essence and historical appearance of the ancient capital’s walls. The completed Ming City Wall Ruins Park is simple, unadorned, and elegant. Combining the natural state of the wall ruins with unique landscaping styles, the park features areas such as “Old Trees and Bright Walls,” “Ruins Stroll,” and “Ancient Tower, New Charm” from west to east. The preservation approach mainly focuses on maintaining the current state and reinforcing risks, with minimal restoration, preserving the wall as much as possible. Standing beneath the wall, one can’t help but feel a sense of history and time-worn grandeur.
　　On August 17, 2002, the overall greening project of the Ming City Wall Ruins Park officially commenced. Currently, the main construction has been completed. Earthworks and the relocation of utilities such as telecom cables, high-voltage overhead lines, and street lighting have been finished underground. During construction, over 200 ancient trees were preserved, and the park was planted with locust trees as the main feature, accented by ginkgo and pine, as well as flowering species like mountain peach, mountain apricot, and crabapple that complement the wall’s ambiance. Over 12.2 hectares of rolling lawns were laid out, creating open scenic sightlines.

　　Park Features

　　　　The park uses a minimalist design approach to highlight the beauty of the wall’s fragmented state. Strolling through the park, visitors are surrounded by ancient trees and lush greenery, while the continuous, rustic Ming wall and solemn corner towers seem to tell the story of national history. Scenic spots like “Old Trees and Bright Walls,” “Ruins Stroll,” “Ancient Tower, New Charm,” and “Parapets Covered in Greenery” carry deep historical and cultural significance, reflecting the rich cultural legacy of Chongwen and sparking boundless imagination.

　　Park Culture

　　　　The section of the Ming City Wall from Dongbianmen to Chongwenmen is one of only two surviving remnants in Beijing and an important symbol of the city’s historical development. Its southeast corner tower is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, and the rest of the wall ruins are also protected at the municipal level. This portion of the wall was originally built during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty and renovated in both the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Due to historical reasons, the land within the protected area was mostly occupied by institutions and residential buildings, and the wall ruins had deteriorated significantly over time. Buried pipelines posed safety risks to residents, spoiled the city’s appearance, and affected the capital’s image. Ming City Wall Ruins Park

　　　　To protect Beijing’s ancient capital appearance and improve living conditions for local residents, the municipal government decided to repair the wall, comprehensively renovate its surroundings, construct the Ming City Wall Ruins Park, and properly address housing issues for local residents. The park’s relocation project was one of the 60 practical initiatives undertaken by the Beijing Municipal Government for its citizens in 2002 and was the top project among the district’s four major initiatives. In September 2003, the first phase of the Ming City Wall Ruins Park was completed. -,-, Wan Li,-, along with then Party Secretary - and Mayor -, visited the park for inspection.

　　Park Significance

　　Ming City Wall Ruins Park

　　　　The newly established Ming City Wall Ruins in Beijing aim to protect the wall and present its authentic appearance, offering citizens a serene, natural, rustic, and solemn environment. A closed, lush greenbelt will be formed on the wall’s north side, while the layout of pathways and plantings on the south side emphasizes simplicity. The preservation of the wall remains focuses on maintaining its current condition and reinforcing risks, with minor additions, ensuring as much of the original structure is retained as possible. Standing beneath the wall evokes a strong feeling of historical weight and the passage of time.
　　Additionally, the Ming City Wall Ruins Park serves as one of the main venues for large-scale cultural events in Chongwen District. From September 29 to October 4, 2003, the park hosted the first Beijing Ming City Wall Culture and Sports Festival & Investment & Trade Fair, themed “The Charm of the Ancient Wall, the Vitality of Chongwen.”
　　In 2003, the Ming City Wall Ruins Park was designated as a Beijing Quality Park.

The Ming City Wall Ruins Park is aAAAA-rated attraction

The Ming City Wall Ruins Park is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Address: No. 9, Chongwenmen East Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Type: Urban Park & Historic Site

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 hours

Phone: 010-65270574

Opening Hours:

Monday: 8:00–17:00

Admission:

The city wall is free of charge; Southeast Corner Tower: 10 RMB for adults, 5 RMB for students.