Nanjing

Synopsis

Nanjing, historically known as Jinling, is one of China’s four great ancient capitals, having served as the capital for ten dynasties and often referred to as the "Ancient Capital of Six Dynasties." The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River, and the Presidential Palace are must-visit attractions. Nanjing is a key witness to modern Chinese history and a culturally rich city with profound humanistic heritage.

Overview

Nanjing, historically known as Jinling and Jiankang, is the capital of Jiangsu Province and one of China's Four Great Ancient Capitals. Ten dynasties or regimes, including the Eastern Wu, Eastern Jin, Song, Qi, Liang, and Chen of the Southern Dynasties, the early Ming, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and the Republic of China, have established their capitals here. It is renowned as the "Ancient Capital of Six Dynasties" and the "Capital of Ten Dynasties." With a city history of nearly 2,500 years and a capital history of over 450 years, Nanjing is a culturally rich city steeped in history.

Nanjing blends profound historical weight with humanistic charm. The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, a model of imperial tombs from the Ming and Qing dynasties, is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The imperial tombs of the subsequent Ming and Qing dynasties were all constructed referencing its layout and style. The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is the tomb of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the pioneer of China's democratic revolution, and was listed among the first batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level in 1961. The Presidential Palace witnessed important chapters of China's modern revolutionary history. The Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) and Qinhuai River Scenic Belt represent Nanjing's most vibrant cultural district.

In 2019, Nanjing was designated a UNESCO City of Literature, becoming the first city in China to receive this honor.

Must-Visit Attractions

Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum – UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is the joint burial tomb of the Hongwu Emperor (Zhu Yuanzhang), founder of the Ming dynasty, and Empress Ma. Its construction began in 1381 and took 25 years to complete. In 2003, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as an extension of the "Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties":

The stone carvings along the Sacred Way of Ming Xiaoling are among the largest surviving ancient stone carving groups in China, stretching about 1,800 meters with 12 pairs of stone animals and 2 pairs of stone officials lining the sides. Every spring, tens of thousands of plum trees bloom on Plum Blossom Hill, making it Nanjing's most beautiful season.

Qinhuai River & Confucius Temple

The Qinhuai River is Nanjing's mother river, acclaimed as China's premier historical and cultural river. The Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) is located on the north bank of the Qinhuai River and is one of China's Four Great Confucian Temples. It was first built in 334 AD during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. At night, the Qinhuai River banks glitter with lights, and the Fuzimiao district bustles with activity, offering opportunities to taste authentic Nanjing snacks like duck blood and vermicelli soup, salted duck, and soup dumplings.

The Tang dynasty poet Du Mu's poem "Mooring on the Qinhuai" ("Mist veils the cold stream, and moonlight the sand, As I moor on the Qinhuai near a tavern.") made the Qinhuai River famous throughout the land. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Qinhuai River banks were a gathering place for literati and scholars, leaving behind countless tales.

Nanjing Cuisine

Nanjing locals love eating duck, giving rise to the saying, "Is there a duck that can leave Nanjing alive?" Nanjing consumes over 100 million ducks annually. The craftsmanship of making salted duck has been inscribed on Jiangsu Province's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Travel Information

References

1. UNESCO – Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1004
2. Wikipedia – Nanjing: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/南京
3. Baidu Baike – Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum: https://baike.baidu.com/item/明孝陵