| At one time, cannon lined the walls, today, there are just a few on exhibit. This cannon was made during the rule of Emperor Chongzhen during the Ming Dynasty. It is 88.5 inches long (225 cm) and uses a 3.9 inch (10 cm) ball. The cannon weighs 1.5 tons - not a portable weapon. It was found in 1963 during work on the Guang'anmen Rail Station and moved here when the city wall was restored.
Cannon were one of the first major trade items between the Ming dynasty and the Western powers. The Portuguese, in particular, found a ready market for their cannon and technical skills. They brought a vastly improved model to China and greatly expanded trade. There had not been many products from Europe that interested the Chinese.
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