Chaotian Palace

Introducing Chaotian Palace
Nanjing Chaotian Palace was built as an imperial palace in the Ming Dynasty, and today is known as the Nanjing Municipal Museum. Nanjing Chaotian Palace was once the Imperial Central University (Zongmingguan) in Song Dynasty of Southern Dynasties. Chaotian palace was first built by Hongwu Emperor in late 14th century during the early Ming Dynasty, and Chaotian Palace was used primarily by members of the royalty for “veneration of ancestors”. The complex was burnt down during the Taiping Rebellion, and the present buildings were built from 1866－1870 when Nanking Academy (Jiangning Fuxue) moved there from its former site south to Qintian mountain. Chaotian Palace area has the largest preserved traditional Chinese architectural complex south of Yangtze River.

Chaotian Palace Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Chao Tian Gong 朝天宫
• Best Time to Visit: All year around
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 to 2 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, History and Culture, Architecture
• Opening Hours: 09:00-18:00 Tuesday to Sunday
• Entrance Fee: CNY 25; Free on the 10th day of every month
• Address: No. 4 Chaotiangong, Qinhuai District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province

What to expect at Chaotian Palace

Chaotian Palace covers an area of more than 70,000 square meters. The total building complex consists of three lines, with the central complex being the Wen Temple, which was built with precious materials, and the its yellow glazed tile was from Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province. Inside the palace, there are more than 100,000 cultural relics in collection.

Chaotian Palace contains many halls, and was once used as a Confucian academy, and contains numerous important structures. Today, the main hall, Dacheng Dian, houses Nanjing Municipal Museum which is dedicated to studying, showcasing, and preserving the cultural achievements of Nanjing throughout its history. It is celebrated for its 100,000 artifacts and artworks, spanning from prehistoric times to the Republic period. Outside of the temple, an antiques market sells jade knickknacks, old woodcarvings, and porcelain are easy to be found, mixed among all sorts of other oddities and curios, ranging from old military medals to bronze incense burners to jade pipes.

On the west side of Chaotian Palace scenic area is the memorial temple of Bian Kun, the famous minister of the Eastern Jin. The filial piety spring（zhongxiaoquan）well built by Zhu Di, great emperor of Ming Dynasty in the memorial temple of Bian Kun

How to get to Chaotian Palace
• Take Metro line 2 to Shanghailu or line 1 to Zhangfuyuan.
• Take bus 4, 43, 48, 83, 302 or 306 to Chaotiangong.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Nanjing to Chaotian Palace.

Additional travel advice on Chaotian Palace
• The palace is closed on Mondays except for public holidays.
• Chaotian Palace (Nanjing Municipal Museum) and Nanjing Museum are two difference places. Nanjing Museum is located at Zhongshan East Road in Xuanwu District, which is around 6 km to Chaotian Palace.