When you explore Nanjing, step back into the 14th century at the Ming Palace, also known as the "Forbidden City of Nanjing." Built by Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming dynasty, this historic site originally served as China's imperial capital palace before the primary seat moved to Beijing in 1420. Though centuries of fires, civil war, Qing dynasty military repurposing, and 19th-century material stripping left no original palace buildings standing today, visiting this historic ground offers you a fascinating look at ancient imperial history. As you wander the area, divided into northern and southern sections by East Zhongshan Road, you can explore commemorative public parks marking the ancient grounds.
Marvel at surviving stone gate platforms, including the southern Meridian Gate, the Donghua Gate, and the Xi'an Gate. Look closely as you walk across the historic inner and outer bridges of the Golden Water positioned along the main north–south axis. You will also discover excavated foundations, isolated column elements, and a variety of stone carvings arranged on display throughout the park space.
While modern university and government agencies now occupy parts of the former complex, a stroll through these open grounds lets you appreciate the rich heritage of early Ming architecture.
What to see at Ming Palace
- Surviving gate platforms of the Meridian, Donghua, and Xi'an Gates
- Historic inner and outer bridges of the Golden Water
- Arranged displays of isolated column elements and stone carvings
- Excavated building foundations across the historic grounds
- Commemorative park located at the site of the Outer Court halls
Visiting tips
You can easily reach the historical park grounds by taking the Nanjing Metro directly to Minggugong Station.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Ming Palace is easy to reach on Nanjing’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Nanjing Museum and Presidential Palace of Nanjing. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Nanjing travel guide.
See the full Nanjing travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.