Zhonghua Gate (Zhonghuamen Castle)
Jiangsu · China
Then head to Zhonghua gate. See the castle-style ancient city gate on a giant scale with massive masonry walls, deep arched gateways and multiple courtyards. Learn how the military defense the enemy and protect the city in the ancient times.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Zhonghua Gate (Zhonghuamen Castle)
Welcome to the Zhong-hwa Gate, or Zhonghuamen, an architectural marvel that stands as a testament to the military ingenuity of the Ming Dynasty. As you stand before this massive structure, you are looking at what was once the…
Listen in the app2The First Barbican — The Killing Zone
We begin our exploration at the first and largest of the four interlocking courtyards. In military terms, this is an 'urn city,' named because an enemy entering here would be trapped 'like a turtle in an urn.' Look up at the high…
Listen in the app3The Twenty-Seven Tunnels — Hidden Garrisons
As we move deeper into the structure, you will see a series of arched openings built directly into the base of the walls. These are the famous 'hidden soldier caves' or garrisons. …
Listen in the app4The Ramparts — Views of the Qinhuai River
Now, let us ascend the broad stone ramps to the top of the wall. These ramps, or 'horse paths,' were designed with a gentle enough slope that messengers and officers could ride their horses directly from the ground level to the…
Listen in the app5The Inscribed Bricks — A Record of Labor
As you walk along the top of the wall, I encourage you to look closely at the individual bricks. You will notice that many of them are not smooth; they are covered in Chinese characters. …
Listen in the app6The Inner Barbicans — Layered Defense
Continuing north through the gate complex, we enter the second and third barbicans. While smaller than the first, these inner courtyards provided additional layers of security. …
Listen in the app7The West Gate Wing — Supply and Logistics
To the west of the main axis lies a section of the gate dedicated to the logistics of a prolonged siege. Here, the wall thickens significantly to accommodate larger storage vaults and deeper well systems. …
Listen in the app8Closing
Our journey through the Zhong-hwa Gate concludes back at the southern entrance, where the ancient wall meets the modern pulse of Nanjing. This structure is more than just a relic of the Ming Dynasty; it is a profound expression…
Listen in the app
What is Zhonghua Gate (Zhonghuamen Castle)?
Zhonghua Gate (Zhonghuamen Castle) is a place in Jiangsu · China with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Jiangsu · China |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 32.0127, 118.7818 |
| Last updated |
