Remains of the Ming Nanjing capital

Timeline

1. 1368–1398Yingtian Prefecture (Nanjing) · Jiangsu ProvinceZhu Yuanzhang established the capital at Yingtian Prefecture, building a new palace city and imperial city north of the old Yuan Dadu palace site, constructing walls, the Meridian Gate, the Hall of Heavenly Affairs and other palace buildings, as well as the Temple of Heaven, Altar of Soil and Grain, and Bell and Drum Towers, establishing the spatial layout of the Ming capital.
2. 1398–1421Nanjing palace city · NanjingDuring the Jianwen and Yongle eras Nanjing was the Ming dynasty's sole capital, with a flourishing palace district and Qinhuai River commercial district. In 1421 the Yongle Emperor formally moved the capital to Beijing, and Nanjing became a secondary capital, though palaces, city walls, and ritual buildings were largely preserved, laying the foundation for the later secondary capital system.
3. 1491–1500Nanjing Forbidden City (Ming Palace) · NanjingDuring the Hongzhi and Zhengde eras Nanjing was a secondary capital, with the Six Ministries of Nanjing and the garrison office established; the palace Meridian Gate, Inner Jinshui Bridges, and wall foundations still stood. Secondary capital rites were used when emperors toured south or the crown prince served as regent; the Ming Palace remains and outer walls such as Tongji Gate together formed the historical landmark of the founding capital.