Nanjing was one of the four capitals of ancient China and a cultural center for most of its past. In a culture that stressed learning as a gateway to public offices, Nanjing acted as the official imperial examination center for the Jiangnan region, drawing intellectuals, poets, philosophers, and artists within the walls of the city.

The Mount Zijinshan (Purple Golden Mountain) Area contains half the attractions in Nanjing, dominating the northeastern skyline of the city. This mountain is home to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum, Linggu Temple (considered to be the best Buddhist temple in the world), Zijinshan Observatory and Planetarium, and the Plum Garden, where the annual Plum festival is held. On the west side of the mountain is Xuanwu Lake, a former imperial navy training and recreation center that used to be reserved for aristocrats. Fishing and boating are some of the activities enjoyed in this area.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum commemorates the revolutionary leader of China. Located at the southern end of Mount Zijinshan, the mausoleum encompasses over 80,000 sqaure meters in the shape of a bell, and includes a tablet pavilion, memorial hall, and tomb vault. Dr. Sun himself is buried 5 meters under the vault, which is topped with a reclining marble figure of the doctor. Visitors make the effort of climbing the stone stairway to pay their respect of this visionary leader.

The 7-story Yuejianglao (which means “Enjoying the river tower”) is the primary sight-seeing attraction in the Shizishan scenic area. The massive square structure has dozens of layers of tile roofs which interlink like so many pieces of a puzzle. Visitors can enjoy the sight of the Yangtze River towards the north and the landscape of Nanjing to the south as they ascend the tower steps towards the highest balconies of the tower.

Fuzimiao Temple (also known as Confucius Temple) is located along the Quinhuai River. It is the place for worshipping and offering sacrifices to Confucius, who emphasized on right conduct, ancestor worship, and harmony within a society. The temple, which was first built in 1034 AD, has been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times throughout the centuries, with the last reconstruction done in 1984. The temple is adjacent to the Xue Gong (Imperial Academy) and Jiangnan Gongyuan (Imperial Examination Yard) where past civil servants are tested on their scholarly merits and assigned government positions accordingly. Inside are small testing cells (haoshe) with models of men in traditional Chinese robes poised as if they were taking the official examination. Qin Huai River flows along an area is known for its robust nightlife, and is filled with restaurants, bars, and stores, all appearing in the architectural style of the Ming and Qing era. The best place to eat here are the food stalls along Gongyuan Street, where you can try such famous dishes as Salted Soup Duck to Chinese dumplings.

The City Gates was formerly designed against ancient marauders and even stood against firearms of two centuries ago. They stand 5 stories tall and stretching some 25 kilometers, and are known for having the biggest scale and the longest usage compared to any other city walls around the world. The City Walls of Nanjing are the only ones of an ancient Chinese capital still standing today. Of the 13 gates still in existence today, the Zhonghua (China) Gate is easily the largest and contains four layers, with a defense structure between each layer. Observation platforms allow visitors to take in the panoramic splendor of the city.

The Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty, also known as the Tomb of Filial Piety, is one of the largest ancient tombs in China. It contains the remains of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and includes the Square City, Xiaoling Hall, and Spiritual Gate.

Finally, the Nanjing Massacre Museum is a memorial for the hundreds of thousands of residents and refugees who died during the Japanese Invasion. The Museum contains galleries and testimonials of the horrific months just before World War II, when the Japanese army looted, pillaged, and raped their way into the city. It is located in the eastern part of the city, near Mochou Lake.

The best time to visit Nanjing is during the annual International Plum Blossom Festival, which is held in Plum Hill around late February and lasts for many weeks. You can witness a mobile tour of festooned vehicles, exhibits from all around the world, and cultural activities that celebrate the wonders of the historic city.

Posted in Attractions, China

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