Ming Palace Site

The main gate of the palace Zhu Yuanzhang built in Nanjing served as the model for the Meridian Gate in Beijing, and its carved stone Sumeru bases remain exquisitely detailed.

Ming emperors of the Hongwu and Yongle reigns were enthroned in this political heart, where giant marble column bases carved with chi dragons recall a palace of six centuries ago.

The only well-preserved gate of Nanjing's Ming imperial city, Xi'anmen keeps three side-by-side vaulted brick passages and barbican remains, a genuine specimen of Ming building.

Along Nanjing's Ming central axis, the imperial way crosses the Golden Water River on five carved white-marble bridges, once a ceremonial avenue of the early Ming court.

Part of Ming Palace Site's history: Founding of Ming; Part of Ming Palace Site's history: Jingnan Campaign. Founding emperor of the Ming, a former monk who rose through the Red Turban armies, defeated his rivals and reigned as the Hongwu Emperor from 1368

Part of Ming Palace Site's history: Founding of Ming. Early Ming general from Huaiyuan who led the assault at Caishi, served as Xu Da's deputy in the northern campaign that took Dadu, and died suddenly on the march home

Part of Ming Palace Site's history: Founding of Ming. Founding general of the Ming who led the northern expedition that took the Yuan capital in 1368 and spent years guarding the frontier from Beiping

Part of Ming Palace Site's history: Founding of Ming. Last Yuan emperor to rule from Dadu, whose long reign saw Toghto's reforms and the Red Turban risings and ended with his flight north before the Ming army in 1368

Part of Ming Palace Site's history: Jingnan Campaign. Fourth son of the Ming founder who seized the throne from his nephew in the Jingnan war, reigned as the Yongle Emperor and moved the capital to Beijing

Part of Ming Palace Site's history: Jingnan Campaign. Second Ming emperor, of the Jianwen reign, whose moves against his princely uncles provoked Zhu Di's rebellion and who vanished when Nanjing fell in 1402

Construction of the Nanjing Ming Palace began in 1366 and continued through the early Ming, forming a formal front-court and inner-residence layout.

Founding of Ming

Zhu Yuanzhang defeated rival warlords, sent armies north to capture Dadu, and founded the Ming dynasty at Nanjing.

Jingnan Campaign

Prince Zhu Di rebelled under the banner of Jingnan, captured Nanjing, displaced the Jianwen emperor, and took the throne as Yongle.

On 13 June 1402, Li Jinglong and Zhu Hui opened Jinchuang Gate to the Yan army; Nanjing fell and the Jingnan campaign reached its conclusion.