Ming Palace Nanjing - Nanjing’s version of the Forbidden City
Last Update: 15th October 2020
Originally built in 1366 and completed in 1392, the Ming Palace in Nanjing was 3 hectares larger than the Forbidden City in Beijing. It is the blueprint of the Forbidden City as well. Unfortunately, the palace was destroyed and just several sections of the palace wall survive.
Ming Palace Nanjing Fast Facts
- Chinese Name: Nanjing Ming Gugong (南京明故宫)
- Area: 101.25 x hectares
- Things to do there: Photography, History and Culture
- Who visits: Photographers, History and Culture Lovers
- Time required: 1 x hour
Interested in visiting the Ming Palace Nanjing on a Tour?
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including the Ming Palace Nanjing, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.
What to expect at the Ming Palace Nanjing
The Ming Palace Nanjing was acclaimed the largest palace complex at that time. It was composed of the imperial city and the imperial palace. The imperial city was fitted with six gates. It was 2.5 kilometers long from south to north and 1 kilometer from east to west. The palace city was the place where emperors and royal families in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) lived, dealt with the official affairs and met the foreign ambassadors. Buildings in the Ming Palace featured exquisite carvings and patterns.
The palace worked as the imperial palace for 54 years in the Ming Dynasty. Unfortunately, it didn’t survive in the war. Therefore, tourists can just visit the ruins in Nanjing. You’ll see some stone sculptures, broken city gates and some broken city walls in the area. Nowadays, Ming Palace Square and Wuchaomen Park on the ruins are popular among locals to do morning or evening exercises. If you’re interested to know more about the Ming Palace, you can pay a visit to the exhibition hall near the square called Nanjing Gugong Yizhi Gongyuan (南京故宫遗址公园).
Best time to visit the Ming Palace Nanjing
The best time to visit the Ming Palace Nanjing ruins is in the morning.
The best months to visit are from April to October.
How to get to the Ming Palace Nanjing
Several buses pass by the ruins. Thus, there are several options.
- Rent a a vehicle to the ruins. This is the quickest and most direct option.
- Take Metro Line 2 to the Stop of Minggugong (明故宫站).
- Take Bus 17, 65, 115, or Bus 118 to the Stop of Minggugong (明故宫站).
- Take Bus 5, 34 or Bus 55 to the Stop of East Minggugong (明故宫东站)
Additional Ming Palace Nanjing Travel Advice
- Opening hours: 24 hours
- As at 15th October 2020, tourists can visit the ruins for free.
Interested in visiting Ming Palace Nanjing on a Tour?
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including Ming Palace Nanjing among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.