Nanjing, China Attractions

Zhonghua Gate

The Zhonghua Gate in Nanjing has stood for 600 years. Complex in construction and design, the ceremonial gate was originally built to serve as the main entry to the south side of the city. The actual gate is flanked on each side by ramps built to carry riders on horses to the top of the fortifications, where there was once an actual fort. The Zhonghua Gate is built from large strips of stone which were cemented together with an exotic mixture of lime, sticky rice juice, and tung oil. The gate contains 27 protected positions where soldiers could repel attacks, and served as a formidable passageway in and out of a fort that was guarded by 3,000 soldiers.