Map of the Walls and Gates of Nanjing

Temple of a Hundred Blessings? original: "Baifu Si." A local Buddhist site; the character for "blessings" is partially obscured by the heavy ink of the woodcut.

Shence Gate original: "Shence Men," or the "Gate of Divine Strategy." Located at the north of the city, this gate was unique for having a double-enclosure and serving as a strategic military outpost.

Jinchuan Gate original: "Jinchuan Men," the "Golden River Gate." This northern gate was the site where the Yongle Emperor’s forces entered the city during the civil war of 1402.

Yifeng Gate original: "Yifeng Men," the "Gate of the Ceremonial Phoenix." This gate stood between the city and the Yangtze River docks to the northwest.

Dinghuai Gate original: "Dinghuai Men," the "Gate of Calming the Huai River." A western gate named for its proximity to the waterways that fed into the city's moat system.

Qingliang Gate original: "Qingliang Men," the "Gate of Refreshing Coolness." It was named after the nearby Qingliang Hill, a site famous for its scenic views and temples.

Shicheng Gate original: "Shicheng Men," the "Stone City Gate." Located near the ancient Han-dynasty "Stone City" fortress, this gate was a vital point in the city's western defenses.

The Drum Tower original: "Gulou." Situated at the heart of the city, the Drum Tower was used to signal the time and announce important imperial decrees.

Xi'an Gate original: "Xi'an Men," the "Western Peace Gate." This was the western entrance to the Imperial City, the walled district housing the government ministries and the palace.

Donghua Gate original: "Donghua Men," the "Eastern Flower Gate." This served as the eastern entrance to the Forbidden City (the Palace City) itself.

Hongwu Gate original: "Hongwu Men," the "Gate of Grand Martiality." Named after the reign title of the first Ming emperor, this was the central southern entrance to the Imperial City complex.

Chaoyang Gate original: "Chaoyang Men," the "Gate Facing the Sun." The primary eastern gate of the inner city wall, connecting the capital to the Purple Mountain and the Ming Ancestral Tombs.

Tongji Gate original: "Tongji Men," the "Gate of Universal Relief." This was one of the largest gates in the world at the time, featuring a complex series of three inner courtyards for defense.

Jubao Gate original: "Jubao Men," the "Gate of Gathering Treasures." Now known as the Zhonghua Gate, it remains the most iconic of Nanjing's gates, famous for its intricate barbicans and "urn enclosures" designed to trap invaders.