Middle Capital of Ming Dynasty in Fengyang

Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor and the founder of Ming Dynasty chose Nanjing as the national central Capital; meanwhile he also chose his hometown Fengyang to be the middle capital of Ming Dynasty. The beginning establishment of this capital was from 1369 and finished in 1375. Due to the short time of its establishment and usage, it did not play role of the political center of China at that time. However, its layout design and thought on whole structure, including the palaces layout, greatly influenced the layout of Beijing of Ming Dynasty.

This capital has three towns that is outer town, middle town and inner town. The outer town with the length of 25 kilometers has been destroyed. The second town made of bricks is the royal town with the circumambience of 6.5 kilometers; currently we also can find the relic on the ground. The inner town has the whole length of 3 kilometers. The wall is 9.5 meters high. Currently the Wumen and Xihuamen and some sections of ancient wall were kept well. Wumen was the middle gate of inner town. There is also many sculptures filled with diversities of animals, basso-relievo such as dragon, phoenix, kylin, peony, lotus and “卐”，which was a sign of Buddhism. These carvings are extremely good, and the value is top-class. They are all rare in China.

There are also many brick inscriptions on many gate towers, and on the streets the cloud and dragons, the phoenix and the oceans are all lively carved. The capital was one of Chinese most luxurious capitals in ancient times. In art, it succeeds the tradition of Song and Yuan dynasties and meanwhile opens the new style of Ming and Qing dynasties.