Grand Baoen Temple Heritage and Scenic Area

The Grand Baoen Temple Heritage and Scenic Area officially opened to the public in 2015. Now designated as a National First-Class Museum and a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level, it focuses on research, preservation, interpretation and display of the heritage site while offering diverse experiences for education, appreciation, reflection and knowledge sharing. This attraction is located in Nanjing's Changganli district - the city's birthplace - and showcases China's Ming DynastyGreat Bao'en TempleBuilt upon an archaeological site, this temple traces its origins back to the Eastern Wu period, marking the inception of pagoda temples in southern China. Over a millennium, it has undergone repeated destruction and reconstruction, with its name changing multiple times throughout history.

In 1412, the 10th year of the Yongle reign, Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty (Zhu Di) ordered the Ministry of Works to expand the original site.built this templeand the nine-story glazed pagoda known as the "First Tower Under Heaven." This glazed pagoda, hailed as "China's greatest antique and Yongle's finest kiln masterpiece," stands as a magnificent wonder in both Chinese and global architectural history. In the latter half of the 17th century, the pagoda was introduced to Europe, where Westerners called it the "Nanjing Porcelain Tower," recognizing it as an iconic symbol of Chinese culture.